In an era where Bollywood stars regularly perform at lavish weddings, Saif Ali Khan has chosen to step back from the trend. While actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh and others continue
to take the stage at high-profile celebrations, Saif says wedding performances no longer suit him. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor explained that his decision is personal and not driven by judgement.
Saif admitted that he was comfortable dancing at weddings earlier in his career, but things changed over time, especially because of his background and age.
Recalling an awkward moment from the past, Saif shared, “I was dancing at a wedding once in Bombay and my aunt, my father’s sister, who is quite a regal lady, came backstage, and said, ‘Don’t tell me you are dancing at this wedding’. So there is a bit of that. You can’t you know, but if you see yourself as an entertainer, and if there is no family connection or an aunt to humiliate you for doing it, then it’s fine.”
He went on to explain the discomfort that can arise when an actor belongs to the same social circle as the wedding guests. “That dichotomy between being a movie actor and being also the member of that society that’s having the wedding…There is sometimes a disconnect. The platform should always treat you as a star. You shouldn’t be too close to…”
When asked if dancing at weddings harms an actor’s credibility, Saif disagreed. “No in fact, it should be great because what shouldn’t happen is you shouldn’t do films for money.”
He also recalled enjoying a wedding performance abroad. “I danced at a wedding in Portugal and it was amazing. There was this stage in this guy’s wonderful villa. Something about it makes it feel alright when it is abroad and done in a certain way. There is something about doing it in Haryana, that’s a little more public or a little more intense. I just feel you should be discerning about how much of yourself you give out.”
Saif acknowledged that such appearances were common earlier in his career but no longer feel right. “It’s great when a billionaire comes to town and he wants 20 actors to perform. We have all done it at Ramesh Bhai’s wedding or somebody and got paid a bomb. Maybe today, it doesn’t fit into things that I am massively comfortable doing, but that’s just me. I’m sure other actors like that.”
