Interview: Saif Ali Khan It's open sesame time for Saif Ali Khan. After his mid-90s chuckle  fests, the star was going through a professional trough; but Sooraj Barjatya's new blockbuster Hum Saath Saath Hain is expected to send the equations topsy turvy. Movie Masala speaks to the star… What is the predominant emotion you are experiencing on the eve of the release of Hum Saath Saath Hain? I'm hopeful; and a little nervy. The film will do well but the credit for that will go to the director, Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan. Somehow, when it's a bad movie, it becomes my movie; b ut when it's a good movie, it becomes the director's or any other . Anyway, after doing quite a lot of bad movies, I'm relieved that I have something good to offer. Y'know, more than anything else, I'm tired. I'm exhausted by all these expectations. I just want to sleep for two days. You do have a lot riding on the film -- it's almost as if it were your first film. Not at all. At the time of Parampara, I had much more energy. I was more prepared to look at the bright side of things if the film didn't work out. Even now I'm prepared to be optimistic but now if things don't work out, the impact will be far greater. Also, by the time my first film flopped I had started shooting for four other films. Haven't you signed films now on the strength of Hum Saath Saath Hain? Not yet, I haven't. I've not been offered anything amazing and I want to do work I can be proud of. Also, I took a break. I needed time to expand my horizons, to spend time with my family. I was feeling burnt out. You're said to have the best role in Hum Saath Saath Hain. Did this create any resentment among your co-stars? The roles were so well defined from the onset -- at least for the heroes -- that there was never any problem. I was warned that Salman and Sooraj have worked together before so I would be left out of the clique. But it was very pleasant. Everybody, including Salman, made me feel at home. From your earlier hits like Aashik Awara, Yeh Dillagi and Main Khiladi Tu Anari, one would say that your forte was comedy. Has Hum Saath Saath Hain expanded your range? I would say it has crystallised it. It's a more refined expression of what my image was. On the other hand, in Kundan Shah's Friends I have a diametrically different role of a man who has problems relating to women because of his own deep-rooted problems with his mom. It's fun to play a side of oneself, like the one I'm portraying in Friends, which one doesn't normally show. While Hum Saath Saath Hain will probably take you ahead as a star, will it also further you as an actor? I wouldn't say that Hum Saath Saath Hain is a tremendously challenging role. It's not the kind of role where you learn about yourself. You've been cast because you're you. You're playing yourself. It was like polishing up something I already knew -- but with great box office chances. Are you satisfied with your performance in the film? For me the biggest appeal of  Hum Saath Saath Hain was that it was being directed by Sooraj Barjatya. I'm rarely satisfied with my performances. I feel the character Sooraj Barjatya narrated to me was more relaxed than what I was able to portray. How did you vibe with Karisma? With Lolo it's always business. I guess it could be much worse. She's so professional, she talks only work. But what is commendable is that she is the same with everyone. Most people tend to slack off when some big shot is around. Considering that you've been educated in England and are not really the 'Maaji pranaam' type, was it difficult to attune your mindset to the heavy traditional overtones of the film? I'm quite capable of behaving wildly but my upbringing, believe me, is quite traditional. Do you see yourself ever living in a joint family? When I was growing up, we all lived together in a palace in Bhopal -- and I had great fun with my cousins. But that was in Bhopal, which had a serene pace of life -- at least then. A similar situation in Mumbai would not be compatible with my mind set today. You turn 30 next year. What would you say are the chief lessons life has taught you? I would quote Shakespeare. I think it was Polonius in Hamlet who says: "And above else to thine own self be true." I've learnt that you don't get a medal in life for doing something you don't want to -- whether it's doing a wrong film or keeping up an old relationship.  On a professional level, I've learnt that Hindi films are a visual medium and out of 10 points, 5 points are reserved for the way an actor looks. The way our heroes dance in tight trousers, a good physique is essential. Also we are heroes in a glorified sense and we do such grand things onscreen. For years I should have been building my body instead of relying on my cool roguish image. So for the past six months, I have been working out regularly.
For the last few years you went through a professional low. How did it change you as a person? It's made me conscious that people don't give you anything for nothing. And don't rely on what people say -- whether they're praising you or pulling you down -- because here everyone has an opinion. I'm not seeking sympathy but I have realised that when producers chase you it's because they can make something on your name. They are not really interested in you as a person. Earlier when I got success I thought it was my God-given right because I was so cool. Tomorrow if I achieve success again my attitude will be different. I'm not going to be vengeful but let's face it, this town's about money. If I'm saleable again, I'll realise it's a responsible position and treat it accordingly. How have your parents and Amrita reacted to Hum Saath Saath Hain? Oh, my father is always making remarks like, "He's the best there is in Hindi films", while my mother will tell me where I should pause and stuff like that. Amrita's seen the film and thinks its amazing. But I'm not looking to her to tell me what's great about me but to tell me my shortcomings. Mahesh Bhatt told me that Navin Nischol didn't know what failure was for five years because nobody around him mentioned the word. I need Amrita to give me the real picture. I like using the word failure.  Finally how has your relationship with Amrita evolved through all your professional ups and downs?
Amrita has stood by me through my shittiest phase. For her it's Saif the person who is paramount, not Saif the star. And Sara's birth made the whole low a high. I didn't mind not working because I got time to spend with my family. But now I'd like Amrita to be proud of me, not just supportive. When J P Dutta won all those awards for Border, I saw Bindiya looking so delighted. When his films were not doing well and he was ranting and raving and trying to get his job done, she had stood by him with a 'My man' attitude. I was so happy for her when I saw her happiness at his success. I want Amrita to be as happy. By Jitendra Kothari
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