He made the world dance with him on 'Ole Ole' from the movie 'Yeh Dillagi'. Born to two illustrious parents, the Nawab of Pataudi and the erstwhile beauty Sharmila Tagore, Saif Ali Khan always knew that cricket was not his cup of tea. When he joined the film industry he was considered too 'chikna' for a hero. It was said and felt that he was not serious about his acting. He was infact called a 'royal brat'. But now he is being taken seriously and his acting skills are being appreciated by one and all. With films like 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' being a major success at the box office, Saif is hot property.


Excerpts from an interview to Neha Irani.

How was it playing Rohit Patel in Kal Ho Naa Ho?
It was hilarious. Actually I had to learn a bit of Gujarati for the role. I had to write those lines on a cutter behind the actor's heads because I just couldn't remember them. I can say that it is probably the best role I have done so far.

How was it working with Shah Rukh?
It was great. He is a great actor. He set the tone for Kal Ho Naa Ho and we all followed. He is always so full of energy.

People have liked your acting more than Shah Rukh's. How do you feel?
Well, I am glad that the audience liked my performance. But Shah Rukh is a top actor and I am trying to get there. I have a long way to go. I just tried to keep up with his acting standards so that people can get a high level of work to watch. It's like when you are with him in a scene, you are forced to give your best.

How was it like working with Nikhil Advani?
Nikhil is an exceptionally talented director. He has given the film a look which is completely different from the typical Karan Johar film. And he constantly had his eye on me. He told me that my role had to work and therefore I needed to do my best. He made me play my part so easily. Even though Karan had written it fabulously, Nikhil visualised it differently.

A few weeks back there was this news that you no longer want to be part of multi-starrers or even two-hero projects. Why is that so?
That's all rubbish. I know I don't sell solo, so why would I be averse to acting in multi-starcast films? I am perfectly alright with it. No doubt, you sometimes feel insecure in a two-hero film when the other hero has better lines than you, but then you can't help that.

What's your role in J. P. Dutta's LOC Kargil?
As you know it's a war film. I play Captain Anuj Nayyar. I am in love with Kareena Kapoor but even more than her, I love my motherland.

Tell us something about your forthcoming film Ramgopal Varma's 'Ek Hasina Thi'?
I play a Globetrotting dashing bachelor who is a successful finance expert by profession. I am madly in love with Urmila. My character also has dark shades to it. I was very charged about my role in this film, but developed cold feet as I thought about it. At one point of time, I even told Ramu I didn't want to do it. But Ramu prevailed over me. Today, I'm happy to have done the film.