In Defence of Saif Ali Khan: Smart Choices, Great Acting Keep Him Relevant

In an industry where you are as good as your last release, it is not surprising that obituaries are already pouring in for Saif Ali Khan’s supposed ‘sinking career’ post the box-office failure of Kaalakaandi – his eighth flop in a row. But that’s not a first for Saif.

Remember the barrage of bad films – Aashiq Awara, Imtihaan, Bambai Ka Babu, Aao Pyaar Karen – he acted in the 1990s, with critics and audiences pulling the noose on him almost unanimously?

Saif’s 25-year career has had ups and down – he has a history of being written off and bouncing back resiliently. If Main Khiladi Tu Anari salvaged him in the 90s, his boisterous energy in Dil Chahta Hai made us gush over him in the 2000s. Omkara established him as a performer par excellence, placing him in the breed of serious actors.

It is remarkable that he has managed to retain his sanity amidst a flurry of sly remarks and unsolicited advice after Kaalakaandi failed to set the box office ringing. But are we jumping the gun in drawing curtains over the Chhote Nawab’s film career? Going by his unusual cine-curve, we sure are.

Why is Saif Ali Khan un-‘Saif’ today?

When was Saif Ali Khan’s last solo success? Almost six years ago with home production Cocktail, a youth-oriented niche product that made a slim profit. Saif co-produced in 2012. When was the 10th Nawab of Pataudi’s last hit? Five years ago, ladies and gentlemen, in Race 2!

Yes, in 2013, he also co-produced and acted in the “zombie comedy” Go Goa Gone, which has now become a cult movie. In those days, the not-inexpensive film just broke even along with its worldwide earnings. In any case, its urban and urbane sophistication and even the humour clearly indicated a multiplex movie that was superlative. Like (very rare) offbeat movies, it deserved to be made on a judicious budget just for what it is. But every offbeat day is not Sunday!

The scenario since has been terrible. Saif has always balanced his assignments between solo leads and ensemble films, between commercial and midstream movies, but since then, it has been an alarming trajectory of flops or usually disasters (the degree of failure being much more).

Sonakshi Sinha roped in opposite Saif Ali Khan for Nikhil Advani’s Batla House?

Earlier it was reported that Saif Ali Khan had been roped in to star in Nikkhil Advani’s next venture Batla House. The film which is based on the real life incident, the Batla House encounter, would see Saif Ali Khan essay the role of the cop Mohan Chand Sharma who lost his life in the encounter. Now we hear that joining Saif in the film will be none other than Sonakshi Sinha.

While the duo, Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha were last seen sharing screen space in the film Bullett Raja, the makers of Batla House have now roped in Sonakshi to feature alongside the actor. Commenting on the same, a source close to the development stated that given the fact that the film’s premise is an incident that had shocked the nation, Sonakshi gave her nod to the project readily since she was bowled over by the script.

The talented Saif Ali Khan’s career is far from over

Saif Ali Khan is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of Bollywood.

Although his popularity might not be in the same league as the other three Khans, Aamir, SRK and Salman, he is in no way a lesser actor than any of them.

In fact, if one goes by his performances over the years, he can be said to be the most versatile ‘Khan’. Be it comedy or crime dramas or romance, Saif has done it all and walked away with aplomb all the time.

But, for an actor of his calibre, the unfortunate thing is that his recent string of flops has suddenly started raising questions about his capability in pulling the audiences to the theatre, especially when the much awaited Rangoon with the extraordinarily talented filmmaker, Vishal Bharadwaj tanked at the box office.

Released on 24th February, Rangoon till now has only managed to rake in 21.47 crores, according to sources, and has rather less chances of redeeming itself in the coming days.

Saif plays the quintessential British-like Parsi character of Rusi Bilmoria in the the gorgeously shot period love story, Rangoon and easily delivers his best performance of the recent times, but even then it wasn’t enough to save the film from becoming one of the biggest flops of his career.

Unseen photo of Saif Ali Khan for Bullett Raja

An unseen photo of Saif Ali Khan from shooting of Bullett Raja

Saif Ali Khan loves his “normal” life and wants the kind of roles his mother played

Saif Ali Khan does not need to dress up for interviews. He can just walk into his office wearing what he was at home—bright orange shorts and a tee—and look like a million dollars. Not to mention the chivalrous charm and aristocracy that he bowls over women with.

He, however, wants to give an explanation here. “When we say aristocratic, it means being polite and kind to people,” he says. “Because sometimes it does mean oppressing the poor and I don’t want to be known for that. But when you say aristocratic I can only think about my father. I am a mix of that and an artist. And my traits do oscillate from good to very good to good. I do get angry on a bad day. And then I feel ungrateful and unsatisfied, so I go to the gym and my chemical imbalance gets settled! Diet, sleep and exercise are important for a balanced life. Your brain should work properly. If you are not healthy in your lifestyle, then that affects your lifestyle.”

Though Khan hates to admit it, a lot depends on his new movie, Phantom, starring Katrina Kaif and directed by Kabir Khan. His last two releases, Happy Ending and Bullet Raja, were not big grossers at the box office. “The story, script and working with Katrina Kaif again were the factors that I was looking for,” he says.