Idol Chat: Saif Ali Khan on Race vs Omkara

PLAYING SAIF? Critics say Saif Ali Khan seems to have lost his edge and is choosing safe roles.

    

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Keywords: Saif Ali Khan, Idol Chat

Saif Ali Khan – who played edgy characters in Omkara and Being Cyrus – seems a different guy who’s now drawn to family-friendly entertainment like Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic and Tara Rum Pum. So what gives him a bigger high – the success of Race or the rave reviews for Omkara? We find out.

Rajeev Masand: A year ago, everyone was talking about Saif the actor. Your performances in Omkara, Being Cyrus and Parineeta and how you had come into your own as an actor. A year later, everyone is talking about Saif the stud, Saif the boyfriend who wears his heart on sleeve, Saif and Kareena – are you embarrassed by that?

Saif Ali Khan: Frankly, yes, sometimes. Depends on what’ said. I am okay with certain things while others sound silly. It’s beyond my control. People write articles in newspapers and it almost feels we are responsible for those articles. I am fed up of hearing about us. Imagine, what people would be. I just want to say: I did not write it.

Rajeev Masand: Did you feel cheated when you saw Tashan?

Saif Ali Khan: Yes and no. Quite frankly, it wasn’t what I read. It was a beautiful script. We all signed up for something that was to be retro-meets-futuristic movie. It was very funky – Tashan on paper. But sometimes, it all goes a little wrong. I think we all signed on for a movie and I stand by that. Unfortunately, it did not work and I stand by that as well and not be a rat deserting a sinking ship and say, “I felt cheated”. My role was edited quite severely which I did speak with my producer about. He explained it was for the betterment of the narrative – which I agree with. Still, what l originally read was quite a bit different.

Rajeev Masand: Speaking for your fans, they were surprised. It seemed like an inconsequential part in a ridiculous film.

Saif Ali Khan: It was not intended that way but it ended up that way. I don’t think anyone really wanted that. I am sure things like these happen and no one goes out of their way to victimize anyone. One should be mature enough to understand that and move on to other things.

Rajeev Masand: Is it true you are sticking to safe choices these days? Whether it’s the safety of big banners like Yash Raj films or the safety of a no-brainer Abbas-Mastan thriller. Has Saif lost his edge?

Saif Ali Khan: That’s a good question. And the answer is yes and no. Abbas Mastan was not a safe choice. It was a choice I made because I got a bit bored in my cocoon doing all multiplex kind of movies and somewhere being told that I was multiplex hero. I wanted to do a film that would open across the board in the country, I wanted to do a film with raunchy music, I wanted to do something you could perform on stage – I wanted a smart, sexy thriller. I wanted to work with an adult director, directing crime, infidelity, money and robbery as opposed to chic-flick love scenes in cafes. It was driving me mad. So along came Race. I thought it was a great script and it worked.

Rajeev Masand: The success of Race versus the review of Omkara – what was a bigger high?

Saif Ali Khan: The reviews of Omkara, to be honest. That’s because I had the security of success of Race. Only the reviews of Omkara are not enough. You need the numbers of Race. That’s a cheating answer. When I read about the figures of Race, it was very calming, satisfying and relieving. But it was nothing compared to Shah Rukh Khan SMSing (about Omkara), saying, “Dude, I can’t believe what I just saw and hats off”. Or the top actors and directors saying, “Saif, what was that?!” But Rs 63 crore is also not a joke.

Rajeev Masand: Your next film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a story of hope. A story of an angel coming down and rescuing peole from the circumstances. Do you believe in angels?

Saif Ali Khan: I do. What I actually believe is that we can be angels for a while. Goodness may possess us for a while. For example, it could be an angelic act to drop some money into a beggar’s bowl. I don’t know if it’s guilt that propels us or something else. Do angels fly down from above on a rainbow or on a bike? Who knows, may be they do. Angels, to me, are different people who do God’s work. They do exist, perhaps not in the way we have shown in the movie, but the concept is the same.

Rajeev Masand: Best of luck Saif, looking forward to seeing you more.