Much like his personal life, Saif Ali Khan’s professional journey is marked by both highs and lows. His debut outing Parampara may have released in 1993 but he had begun shooting for Bekhudi in 1991, which was supposed to launch him in Bollywood. He was replaced from the film after completing its first schedule but had already met Amrita Singh by then, who he married that same year.
Now, speaking exclusively to News18, Saif reveals that he was recommended to keep his first marriage hidden from the public eye. “I remember that there was a senior actor from a different generation, who told me to not tell anyone that I’m married. I don’t know why he told me so. I think he was trying to say that it would’ve spoiled my image and fan following. It
was the worst and most bizarre advice that someone ever gave me,” he tells us.
Despite belonging to a film family, his career trajectory hasn’t really been a cakewalk. While a filmmaker cautioned him against playing cops as he would make them look ‘comical’, Saif’s biggest fear became to not be ridiculed. “When I started work, my main ambition was not to be laughed at. My director had once told me, joote maarenge log, and that when the film would be screened at Chandan, they may laugh at me and hate me and I’ll be out of work,” he remarks.
“I’m sure that many actors, when they act for the first time, don’t want to look ridiculous and for people to laugh at them. That’s the standard. Once you cross that phase, you may want to become Mr Bachchan. But it starts on that note. I think the humility was always there. I worked hard at my job and did make vows to maintain a certain religious approach to my work ethic so that it remains pure. That has always been the idea,” he adds.
After much reprimanding, it was only over the years that he started taking his job more seriously. Humility from day one, additionally, helped him keep his art sacrosanct. “In fact, after that, I felt a greater sense of responsibility and took things less and less for granted. I don’t think my art and duty towards my profession as an actor has ever been corrupt,” says the Kartavya and Sacred Games actor.
But what has been the best advice that he has received in a career spanning 35 years? “I once asked someone what I should do if I don’t like someone’s work or choices and how I should tell them that I would’ve done it differently. He’s a contemporary. He told me that I shouldn’t put it across directly because that won’t be nice. He suggested that I should say that it’s very unlucky for them to do it,” Saif recalls.
The actor, who will next be seen in Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan and Rahul Dholakia’s Hum Hindustani, further continues, “Basically, if I didn’t like blue on a person, I should tell them that blue is an unlucky colour for them. That way, they’ll listen to me because the main thing in our profession is luck (chuckles).”
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