Saif Ali Khan’s Real-Life Struggles Highlighted in ‘Go Goa Gone’

It’s unusual to come across a public figure who is willing to openly discuss their experience as a smoker in a world where health awareness is growing and the dangers of smoking are well-documented. But in the first few minutes of the legendary Bollywood film “Go Goa Gone,” Saif Ali Khan, a versatile performer renowned for his many different roles, did precisely that. This article delves into Saif’s open admission of his smoking history and examines the significance of this unusual disclaimer.

In 2013, the zombie comedy “Go Goa Gone” stormed the Indian film industry. The comedy film, which Raj and D.K. directed, offered a unique perspective on the zombie subgenre in addition to being a riot of laughter. However, Saif Ali Khan’s disclaimer at the beginning of the movie added even more intrigue.

Saif chose to share a personal anecdote about his experiences as a smoker rather than the standard, uninteresting anti-smoking warning that we frequently see before films. The audience was intrigued by this novel twist, which was a breath of fresh air.

Saif Ali Khan was on the ground laughing while reading the script for Go Goa Gone: Raj and DK

10 Years Of Go Goa Gone: No one in the company wanted to make the film,” reveals Saif Ali Khan

In many ways Raj-DK’s Go Goa Gone was a game-changer for Saif Ali Khan. It was Hindi cinema’s first Zombie flick. Saif, who played a kinky character called Boris, looked, talked and seemed completely different.

Saif, who was also the producer on the project, reveals the film almost didn’t happen. “It seemed to me like a no brainer. No one in the company wanted to make it. It was too weird. But it was very funny and unique. I pushed it through … and I did not charge any money as an actor. That’s how it got made. Pure passion.”

Saif enjoyed the making of Go Goa Gone. “The lines were really funny, and the three boys (Kunal Khemu, Vir Das, Anand Tiwari) were brilliant. We got tourists in Mauritius to play zombies. Literally took them off the street and put them in makeup. They were all so brilliant. We had an international team; action from South Africa, makeup from Spain. Really good fun.”

Saif also got to mouth what he says is his best line ever. “Dilli se hoon bhench@d!!!”

Saif will next be seen in the keenly awaited Adipurush. Directed by Om Raut, the film will see him essay the character of Raavan while Prabhas and Kriti Sanon will be seen in the roles of Lord Ram and Sita. The film will be released in theatres on June 16.

Directors Raj and DK recall Saif Ali Khan’s reaction after hearing Go Goa Gone’s script: ‘Nobody took us seriously’

Filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, who recently directed Shahid Kapoor’s web series Farzi, have opened up about the film Go Goa Gone starring Saif Ali Khan. The director duo revealed Saif’s hilarious reaction to the film and also said that people called them crazy for making a film with zombies.

In an interview, Raj and DK spoke about doing the film Go Goa Gone, which was a paradigm shift for them as filmmakers. Raj said, “We were winning awards for Shor In The City, a dramatic and acclaimed film and then you go and say ‘I want to do films about zombies.’ Saif’s reaction was ‘This is ch***yapa,’ but I want to do this. (sic)”

He further explained that while many actors were eager to listen to the narration, they backed out after learning about the zombies. Raj further said, “Nobody took us seriously. A lot of people met with us and said, ‘You made Shor In The City’ let’s meet.’ And then we show them a presentation and then the zombies come. They be like ‘acchaaa, okay thank you’. Later we used to hear them saying ‘you guys have lost it’ like weird people, crazy idiots. What it did in hindsight was the things we could do as filmmakers. (sic)”

Go Goa Gone released in 2013 and starred Saif, Kunal Kemmu, Vir Das, Anand Tiwari and Puja Gupta. It was touted as the first Indian zombie movie. The film has now achieved cult status.

Go Goa Gone released in 2013 and starred Saif, Kunal Kemmu, Vir Das, Anand Tiwari and Puja Gupta. It was touted as the first Indian zombie movie. The film has now achieved cult status.

Saif Ali Khan’s charmed life

The actor, who recently started filming his movie Vikram Vedha with Hrithik Roshan, has several projects up his sleeve — from Adipurush and Vikram Vedha to the Rahul-Dholakia film, Fire. While he’s had his share of fun and controversies over the past few years, he’s certainly enjoying the accolades as they come even as he remains modest.

“Cinema is so much about teamwork. It’s about everyone from the costume designer to the guy doing the background music — the director and the editing — the scriptwriter who writes great lines that contribute to how an actor is perceived,” explains Saif, who was seen earlier this year in Tandav, Bhoot Police and Bunty Aur Babli 2. “As actors, we’re supported by many people around us. We cannot pull it off if we don’t have a great setup and a good director who envisages the scene with over a 100 people.”

The characters keep rolling

The actor admits that after playing the funny guy and fool earlier, he’s enjoying multiple kinds of roles from comedy to dark films and negative roles as well.

Saif Ali Khan reveals he wasn’t paid for Go Goa Gone: ‘It was the only way to make the film’

Saif Ali Khan revealed he wasn’t paid for Go Goa Gone. The actor had starred in the horror-comedy with Kunal Kemmu, Vir Das and Anand Tiwari. The 2013 film was directed by Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru and was a commercial success.

Talking about the genre of horror-comedy, Saif said that Go Goa Gone was ‘not meant to be hugely commercial’ and him forgoing his fee was the only way the movie could have been made.

Saif said, “Go Goa Gone was a very indie, niche kind of a film. It was a zombie comedy and was not meant to be hugely commercial. It was just a fun idea and I didn’t even get paid for that as that was the only way to make that film. Bhoot Police is a lot more commercial and has a rooted idea. I am looking forward to spinning it into a franchise.”

The actor added that he realised that there is a lot of potential in the emotion of fear when he watched his son Taimur react to the horror film The Mummy. “Let me talk about the experience of watching Mummy. The three of us (Saif, Taimur, Kareena Kapoor) were snuggled up and Taimur wasn’t that scared but scared enough to bond with us. It showed me that there is a lot of potential in the emotion of fear. It’s a strong market if something gets you together with your kids,” he said.

Saif Ali Khan has got ‘nothing to do with’ Go Goa Gone 2, says he’s excited to shoot for Vikram Vedha

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan says he is no longer associated with the Go Goa Gone franchise as a producer. Khan, who also starred in the 2013 Hindi-language zombie black-comedy film, backed the movie along with Dinesh Vijan and Sunil Lulla of Eros international.

Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, Go Goa Gone follows three men — played by Kunal Kemmu, Vir Das, Anand Tiwari — whose holiday to Goa turns out to be a zombie nightmare.

In the movie, Khan played the role of Boris, a Russian mafioso-turned-zombie hunter who is originally from Delhi.

Asked about the status of the film’s sequel, the 51-year-old actor said, “I don’t know about Go Goa Gone 2. I’ve got nothing to do with it anymore. I sold all the rights and moved on from that sort of thing.”