Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan recently gave fans a candid glimpse into his early journey in films, sharing that his path to success was far from easy despite
being born into one of India’s most celebrated families. The actor, son of cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, revealed that his first years in the industry involved minor roles, low pay, and learning experiences that shaped his career.
Saif Ali Khan on early struggles
In an interview with Esquire India, Saif recounted a bizarre experience from his early days. He was earning just Rs 1,000 a week from a producer, but there was an unusual condition - he had to kiss the producer’s cheek ten times each time he collected his salary. “It was a strange way to start, but it taught me a lot about the realities of this business,” he said.
Despite the privileges of his background, Saif says many assumed he had an easy entry into films. “People thought my journey was smooth, but it was filled with second and third lead roles and forgettable movies,” he explained. He describes the 1990s as his “net practice” period, a decade of trial, error, and learning on the job.
To reflect on his growth, Saif recently rewatched every film he made during the first twenty years of his career, one per night on YouTube. The exercise was both humbling and therapeutic, making him confront the unevenness of his early work while appreciating the progress he has made.
“Many people said I was lucky to get so many chances, but the truth is I wasn’t always cast in the best films or the main roles,” Saif said.
