Saif Ali Khan Admits It’s The ‘Hardest Thing’ To Watch Sara, Ibrahim Struggle

Saif Ali Khan candidly spoke about being a parent to two grown-up children, Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan , whom he co-parents with his ex-wife, Amrita Singh. He admitted that some of the hardest

lessons of parenthood come from learning when not to intervene in his children’s matters, even when it hurts him. Eventually, he understood that his kids needed their own struggles and challenges to grow.

“For parents, I think one of the hardest things is to watch your kids struggle. You want to say, ‘Forget it. I can fix this for you,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter India. But over time, he came to accept that he could not always intervene. He added, “It’s been a process for me, understanding that I can’t fix everything. They need to have their own struggles and their own challenges.”

Saif Ali Khan Reveals What He Tells Sara And Ibrahim About Acting And The Industry

When asked whether he can emotionally distance himself from his children’s journeys, particularly given the harsh realities of the film industry, Saif answered honestly. He said he could not “really distance” himself and recalled a line a friend shared that has stayed with him: “You can only be as happy as your least happy child.”

Later in the conversation, the 55-year-old actor spoke fondly of his daughter, revealing that Sara is back at Columbia University in New York. He said he encouraged her to have a life beyond the “stress of movies.” As for acting, Saif said he believes and even told his children that it should be treated as a craft rather than a competition. “All too often, it becomes stressful and competitive,” he explained, adding that he tries to guide his children away from it sometimes.

Regarding Ibrahim, Saif said he often talks to him about visibility. Although old-school, he explained that frequent public appearances often dilute the mystery. “It’s very old-school to say I should only see you on screen, but every time you go out, you’re recorded,” he mentioned. The Kal Ho Naa Ho actor also acknowledged a quiet fear many parents carry that life does not turn out perfectly for everyone.

Saif Ali Khan Says He Is Frightened Of Being “Paralysed” After The Knife Attack

At one point in the interview, Saif also opened up about the scary knife attack. Earlier this year, the actor suffered multiple stab injuries after a break-in at his Mumbai home. When asked if the incident fundamentally changed him, his answer was no. “I think I’ve always been aware of some of these things,” he mentioned. However, what the incident left was a profound sense of gratitude.

He added, “I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have gotten away with it the way I did. It was very close. There was a nick there, and that could have led to paralysis. I had lost feeling in my leg for a while. The concept of being bedridden forever or being paralysed is frightening. It still frightens me.” He shared that the incident made him realise that “every day is a blessing.”

What’s Next For Saif Ali Khan?

Saif, who was last seen in the film Jewel Thief, has signed a new film. As the actor himself shared, it is a biopic in Bengali. He did not disclose any other details of the upcoming film.

He also recently wrapped the shoot for the horror-thriller Haiwaan. The film is said to be adapted from Mohanlal’s acclaimed 2016 thriller Oppam and is slated for a 2026 theatrical release. Besides him, the cast also includes Akshay Kumar, Samuthirakani, Saiyami Kher, Shreya Pilgaonkar, Asrani, and Einar Haraldsson in key roles.