New Delhi:
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, actor Saif Ali Khan discusses his latest movie Agent Vinod, the loss of his father and the various controversies surrounding him.
Read the full transcript of the interview below:
NDTV: Saif, it has been a really tumultuous time in a sense for you because multiple things and multiple realities seem to be sort of unfolding one after the other. You know it began in some ways with your father's death, you are coping with that, and now you find yourself in the headlines for the wrong reasons. A brawl in a restaurant; and now you have this much anticipated big film coming out and it's all happening together do you feel?
Saif: No, there is also some black-flagging in Bhopal, about reservations in Saudi Arabia, so yes.
NDTV: Your decision to appoint a Saudi trust. Is there a, do you still manage to smile through all of this or is there a sense of the world caving in?
Saif: No it's not really caving in, there is an awareness that comes about you, you feel certain departments of your life, you kind of watch them flashing like beacons and you say, okay yes, this wasn't a great thing that happened obviously at the Taj. I have apologised for it, I will apologise for it again. I don't think a movie star should ever allow himself to be in that situation, even if you are reacting or call it self-defence or whatever you say. Some people you meet are incredibly obnoxious, some things happen. I think normal people don't realise, how offensive they can be sometimes.
NDTV: But why are you apologising then? If you continue to feel that the other person was obnoxious?
Saif: Yes but I should not have, there are so many times that happens; I think growing up in some bars in Delhi you learn faster how to avoid a situation, rather than letting them grow. I think some things move too quickly to control, but you know, I do think I need to apologise, because at the end of it all, sometimes I am doing an interview, there are kids watching and we are discussing a fight. It's much simpler saying that you know, whatever happened, I am sorry. It shouldn't have happened, is the main point.
NDTV: Yes but I guess what I was asking, was that you think that this should not have happened, is because you are a public figure, who should not have taken the law in your own hands, however irritating you may have found your situation or you are apologising because you did something wrong, bear that?
Saif: First of all what has been disturbing for me is that there is this perception that there is this spoilt movie star, who is making a tremendous amount of noise, and has kindly been asked to keep quiet by a sweet family and he has reacted by hitting the chap. So I mean I don't know what to say to that, except that it is completely untrue and I would never in a million years do it. Beyond that I don't have much to say, except that two people got into an argument, and that it should not have happened. But sorry ask me your question again...
NDTV: No the question was that when you say you should not have done it, is it because you raised your hand and it doesn't matter who raised their hand first, you should just have stepped out of that situation or are you saying sorry because you feel you were at fault?
Saif: No, I am saying sorry because of the former reason. Because being someone who should have seen that this situation will lead to much more, it is not only about the present moment, and it doesn't even matter who is right or wrong; the matter is who is going to be remembered for doing what? And I think there is a certain amount of maturity that is called for, and a certain amount of understanding, where I would say, you know, someone like my father would never have let that happen. And I am sure that people have said funny things or irritating things to him as well. So I apologise for handling it in a more volatile fashion than it should have been.
NDTV: What did somebody like your mother say, after this happened?
Saif: I think she got a version of it from Kareena before me, and you know her first concerns were maternal. That you know, how much trouble is it going to be and what happened and these things and then later on a, I got a raised eyebrow. 'I thought we were done with that' sort of an expression, but I think she also understands what happened. But I don't think a mother is particularly going to be impressed with that kind of a situation.
NDTV: It's interesting the way you say that this narrative would place you in it?
Saif: You know it's been so long, I mean it has happened sometime ago, so I have gotten used to it. I mean even my interview with you, if it would have happened sometime ago, I would have been much more fiery in my self-defense, saying that it's unbelievable that you are sitting there and you are aggressed upon, somebody abuses you and somebody hits you and in self-defense something happens, and later on they try and hurt you and terrible stories are told which everybody seems to believe. That's the actual truth of the situation. A week, ten days after I say look at all that's happening, it's all so much hazier, I would say I wish I would have avoided it, I wish I had the self control and wisdom to say, you know I am not falling for this.
NDTV: I get what you are saying, but what I am really wanting to get under the skin of is what you eluded to, this narrative that was created around, the media cliched becomes, "The Bad Boys of Bollywood", that's what the headline reads
Saif: Yes you know we are a country, may be, I have started to think we don't take very well to autocratic people. I mean we have had sort of a bloodless revolution and made it to a sort of a French autocrat of 1788
NDTV: And now you are a Nawab to boot you know,
Saif: Yes you know I was thinking, I mean there are two sides to that. First of all, my refusal to accept that, I can't possibly, I mean my father did that, and he had two signatures, I remember. When we were kids he used to write Pataudi, and then he started writing Mansoor Ali Khan. And I asked him why, and he said well because that's how it is now. And he was always somebody who followed that and he was too competent in doing what he was doing. He took it very seriously. I mean Pataudi was very important to him, and we were in Pataudi recently and he had this tradition of giving prizes to, there is a girls' school there, encouraging education or creating some kind of scholarship there. And they were saying, you know now you are the new Nawab, and I said I don't think you should call me that. I mean let's call him the last Nawab, and he was allowed to call himself Pataudi because it was such a small town, that anybody would never have heard of it, and now it's written in gold leaf at Oxford and Lords and at Headingley and at Winchester and Locus Park and places which are hard to reach really.
NDTV: Why were you reluctant to take the title, is it because you think it's 'aristocratic' in a way?
Saif: Absolutely and also because titles don't exist today. As members of a modern society, as people who work for a living and also you know it's difficult for me to take the title because there would be people who would accept and also there are so many spheres to my life. If I go to Pataudi they will be deeply disappointed. If I look at some of the people they would say, oh, why aren't you doing that, that's a family tradition? Also to me it's not just a title, like normal people would think of it, like you would want to show off like a prince from a movie. They don't have anything to actually to connect to, whereas I have my father, my grandfather to look up to. To my mind it would only be to look after Pataudi or may be renovate the house or may be do something along those lines.
NDTV: So you mean to be invested emotionally but not take the title seriously at all?
Saif: Absolutely, or to somehow get this polo match to raise funds for this eye hospital somehow. We are still trying to work it out in our production, because while my father was alive, there was a gap in what I was doing in my life really, and what my family was doing. But now it seems to be a need to merge the two, which I am coming to terms with, as to how to do it. But something like Pataudi needs to be understood and brought into what we do in Bombay. There are so many brands and people in Bombay I am sure we can do much more.
NDTV: You know, listening to you there is one sentence that you said, that your mom looked at you with a raised eyebrow, saying that 'I thought we were done with these things' and then there are those years you have been through. There have been your own wild years you have gone through and then there is you today, stepping into your father's shoes, trying to sort of find that middle ground between the symbolism of that title, and the substance of what that relationship is. I am just wondering that something that happened in Wasabi happened; does that take you back in your past in a way?
Saif: I don't know. I mean if you are being honest and I mean I should be honest, I meet so many different people and I react so well to so many different people. Either you are on the phone or you are promoting a movie, you know they will say, you know I am from Allahabad and I am promoting this movie; or they will ask you a tricky question, you know, how did this happen? And, once in a while, you come across a real number, someone who in a public place may say something or irritate you. I do react. I don't think it's as bad as to be addressed medically or something I believe, but seriously, I mean, there are some people who don't react and for me, I mean I noticed when you were to begin with this interview you were saying, you know, please switch your phones off, don't do this. Because if I am giving this interview and it's a serious interview, sometimes the interviewer starts smsing somebody while you are answering. So I stop, because I say I can't speak anymore. Oh yes it happens, cameramen start talking over your shoulder saying turn that light, but to know how to focus, some people will focus beyond that.
NDTV: No I get completely the fact and I am not trying to over read into one instance. What I am asking you is for you looking in, you looking into yourself, standing at the cross road in your life, there is your journey up until this point, and there is your father's death which has to have impacted you in ways which you can't even externalize, and then there is this story from the past. There is this black buck case, then Saif gets into a brawl, and now Saif is also this person who is stepping into his father's shoes. So I am just wondering what is it that is happening inside? Are you able to reconcile over these different personas?
Saif: I am trying to. But I think what is actually clear is that, 80%-90% of the pie is actually clear, what is left is a tiny section that would react in a slightly wrong way. But according to me, it's not something to be that ashamed of. If it would have been completely clean and it would be, you know, a perfect outlook, I would have been even prouder of myself. But as I am saying I am trying, I have really come a long way and I think I am doing okay. But I think there is a side of me that still is, I mean, not rough-edged, that has seen things and isn't afraid to react or to say, that, you know, that's not on and don't feel you are completely protected as I am a victim of my own stature, fame or box. Human being to human being there are also reactions and I think I react more like a human being than a responsible movie star, that's the point and I don't mind it either. I don't feel terrible about it, I feel like saying it maturely to people, to children, that this is not the way to do it. But if you are actually asking, I would say you know what happened that day, I don't know if I would have reacted differently tomorrow, if the same thing happened, I would love to say I would.
NDTV: Is it that you feel that the re-activeness helps to keep some bit of you and not just the persona?
Saif: I think it's instinctive. I would love to have it not part of the persona. I would love to really, but I think I just seem to have a very transparent face. If something annoys me, it just, I mean, even while promoting this movie, I mean we travel so much, we speak to so many different people, and people working with me say, just ignore the person, just send the message out, but it's so difficult talking to people like that.
NDTV: You said you did not want to sell your film? What do you mean by that?
Saif: Did I say that?
NDTV: I read that, I mean, if you believe the interview you said I don't want to sell my film?
Saif: I must have meant, you know when you're promoting, I don't feel comfortable that now we are in this interview, so now let's sell the movie because the movie is something that has been made, it has been packaged, it's ready. Actually I feel my part is to say that this is the date it is releasing on, and would you like to talk something around it, to bring attention to the fact that this is when it is releasing? But to sit here and say, you know, it's really good? People say funny things, I have found myself saying funny things like, "we have worked really hard on this". I mean why is it relevant? It's not. None of the people watching the movie are going to watch the movie out of love of my having worked hard in it. I mean I feel, some people say, people watch films because of some person in the film. I think it's more an entertaining prospect for somebody to go and see a movie, if its packaged well and made nicely, you have to see also beyond the individual. It's not me as a person, it's perhaps me as an actor, it's my production house; it's the director and so many other people in the movie. You know somebody said, people won't go see your movie if they get upset with what happened at the restaurant. It did worry me for a second, but then I had this realization that is anyone watching it out of love for me, I think then they will be able to separate, I think yes
NDTV: You say that you are reactive or a part of you is reactive, is not scared to say your mind and I have actually seen that happen a number of times. I remember this debate you were on, when Aarakshan was released, and you were quite candid on your views about censorship, what was happening, the politicisation of that discourse. I am just wondering, why don't we hear political statements from more actors, and I mean political statements in a broader sense, from more actors in Bollywood? I mean you would have a Clooney who would take a position?
Saif: I just hope all the actors are not as clueless about politics as I am.
NDTV: You are clearly not clueless. I am not saying politics as in terms of a party, I mean an issue, like that day you came out with a statement, you had a clear view about the censorship issue and you said it.
Saif: There are two sides to that NDTV. As an actor your thoughts are mystery so then people dont associate and the less they associate, this case being the case in point, the less they associate, the easier it is for you to convince them that you are playing a part.
NDTV: So you like being a mystery?
Saif: I don't like it, I am not saying that, what I am saying is that may be that it is easier to associate, if may be you are on a Twitter, or may be I have chosen not to be, because I don't understand why. I mean I think I will become a victim of it. I mean I will do it for a day; a week and then I will have to keep doing it. I mean so many people like it and it's a sign of the times we live in so there is no comment on it. I don't know I would write a letter than an e-mail sometimes, even though the former is more efficient and even when it was happening, it was also not wanting to do what everybody else was doing at that particular time.
NDTV: But you have, for example, after the Mumbai attacks, have spoken about terrorism, spoke about being a Muslim, spoke about how you actually were a little scared
Saif: The point is when you feel strongly enough about a thing then you speak and then may be people will listen also, rather than having a comment on everything all the time.
NDTV: You know when someone looks at your father's legacy, at all Indians admired and then you look at the multicultural, multi religious ethos that in a sense you have grown up in, but I read somewhere that you said that you lately have become more religious, you used to be spiritual, but you have become more religious, why has that happened to you, you think?
Saif: I don't know, I mean why did I say that? In some ways I feel a part of me becomes less religious, but I like the idea of praying. I even like the idea of knowing something about your own culture and praying in a particular way and I find it also peaceful to do that. But I find it also odd frankly to pray for specifics, yes like when the film is releasing, people start taking their cans to famous temples and have them blessed, which is ridiculous. I mean there are people starving on streets, how can you be praying for crores. I mean it seems like an unjust God who would grant us that.
NDTV: But you feel some personal comfort or solace in your own faith?
Saif: Yes I mean when the flights are taking off, when there is turbulence, really I mean I start saying the Italkurzi, which is really a serious Islamic prayer.
NDTV: But were you always conversant with it, or did you learn it?
Saif: Again, it was born out of fear because we were born in a big old house, with the Bafir Muzavir way away, and my grandmother's maid said, that you know if you learn this, you will be less scared. And that's where my learning of Islamic prayer came from, directly linked to the fear of the dark as a child and also I think it's a part of the cultural upbringing with the Ruler beating the Maulvis.
NDTV: But more seriously, I mean we know that there has also been a film like Kurbaan that you have done, you have obviously dealt and engaged with the issues of religious identities and terrorism,
Saif: I don't know, with all due respect, again I don't know, how much that was dealing with the issue.
NDTV: Forget it, do you spend time dealing with it?
Saif: Yes I do. I mean the last time I wrote about it, I mean I was growing up. I mean I feel there was a different atmosphere. Hindi films had Urdu titles, I mean I think I have said, that Hangal Sahab represented the tolerance of cultures in Hindi cinema and the whole artistic side, the language, the humour, and today it takes a sophisticated Hindu to do an Aadaab to a Muslim. It's a nice thing to see when you see it, but I think my thought on this subject was that may be people like me, who are not overly religious, I mean those who are not fundamentalist. I am an Indian first and I don't believe these things apply to me, and may be even I don't believe in an organised form of religion.
NDTV: So do you ever see Muslim characters that you identify with on screen, I mean these are people like us?
Saif: I mean, no, somebody I am sure in a modern day Pakistan, but I am not. I mean I think of myself as a Muslim only when somebody asks me, or tells me that I shouldn't be.
NDTV: Have they ever told you that? I mean have you ever experienced prejudice?
Saif: Yes. I mean they have never told me that, but yes I have experienced prejudice. I mean yes, I would say so, I mean I have experienced it from girls I have dated, their parents, initially not knowing that it is actually quite relaxed, we are not going to start dressing women in a hijab or something like that. I mean I don't know if they were worried about that. But I guess they have experienced different things to what I have. To me Islam is a beautiful religion, it's about poetry and Arabic, sitting in the garden and you know the cultural richness of it. It's not, you know, but if you buy some apartment in Bombay for example, you won't be allowed to, I think so, but it didn't really bother me.
NDTV: No I mean there was a time when Shabana Azmi actually spoke about that, and everyone said, oh come on, that isn't really possible. And now you are saying you have experienced that?
Saif: Yes of course, everyone has experienced something like that, everybody knows. It's like saying there is corruption in India.
NDTV: It is that common?
Saif: It is that common.
NDTV: No. I mean I know it's that common for a normal, common Muslim, but is it common for a well-known, rich Muslim too?
Saif: See it makes sense to them. They say we don't like non-vegetarian food; they have a different code of living, let's have a different building, let's not have any of it happening here. And then Muslims would say fine, we will have our own building, and I guess they are finding they own ways of co-existing or whatever.
NDTV: So you mean when it happened to you, you didn't overly react?
Saif: No it did not bother me at all. I mean like corruption doesn't bother me, like I become thick skinned to so many other things. You say so what, that's a part of living in India, it's okay. You are getting paid for this movie, you can still buy a flat in Bandra; you don't have to live on that particular road in Juhu.
NDTV: But isn't it kind of a cynicism?
Saif: It's not bothering me at all. I like the chains that have dropped. It's not cynicism. It just doesn't bother me. It was really sad if I was really campaigning against it.
NDTV: What would bother you? You were clearly bothered after Mumbai?
Saif: I would be bothered if, when people make generalised statements about any religion, I find people to be not exposed. And then I realise that people see it in a different way. I don't know, so many things bother me. I mean it would bother me, if somebody asks me to not to make noise and punches me. I mean asking me to not make a noise is, but I don't think I have never made a noise in a public place.
NDTV: So you still don't know why did that little fracas happen?
Saif: No I exactly know why it happened. It was the question of ego just getting out of control. It was just rudeness and silliness and like I said, it shouldn't have happened.
NDTV: You are clearly talking about separating the actor from the person?
Saif: It's not an inhuman thing, it's constantly happening,
NDTV: I get it. But when you have a movie coming up like you have now, people have said, that this the evolution of Saif. You have yourself said that I am now too old for those cutsie lover boy roles anymore. At what point did you stop and think and say that I am not playing such roles anymore, because a number of the other actors continue to do it?
Saif: I don't know. I mean it just happens. When you read a piece of paper, the script and you know that this energy behind the scene is this confusion or this cute kind of thing? And you don't find it expressive and you don't find the x-factor for that thing, where you do this thing and, you will say okay I will do this fool, or this sweet guy who is confused. There is a point in a man's life where you don't have to be, you know, confused all the time. I mean you have to be sure of what you are doing. You need to be a hero and if you choose the roles which are not heroic really than retarded.
NDTV: So why an RAW spook?
Saif: I think you know we all grew up with these kinds of movies, and every country has its own version of these kinds
NDTV: But we grew up with CIA, Bond and Bourne Identity you know, and all these kind of things,
Saif: Yes the American serials. But we all grew up in the '70s when we had the Bond movies, which by today's standards were a little cheesy. But we also had a genre of trying to make these kinds of movies, how they were made is not the question. The point is there was quite a bit of market for them and there was a commercial reason to it, than creative. I mean I thought there is this entire genre and nobody is doing anything on it right now. And I thought Agent Vinod would really be a cool title, because even though it's retro, it's a kind the rickshawwala will also like, and one that can be sold to a more sophisticated audience too; and let's do it and let's make this film with a good script and an interesting character in the lead
NDTV: And did you devour 24 on Spooks, did you borrow from American TV drama?
Saif: No, but you see there are certain things you have to have. Like somebody has to walk to an office and be briefed about the mission, you know that's got to happen. Apart from that they are all influences of what we have seen. Sriram Raghavan directs this story. I mean he has written it and he writes this note, for a particular shot that you do that day so that you know the mood is, that he does that this day. So I will be like, okay I get that. Today it will be about this old-fashioned machine gun fight. It's going to you know, I think the machine guns great and the production has to be moving and getting all that sorted and he then he will sort of write again, so you know it's a sort of copying,
NDTV: So it means it's a little bit of this, little bit of that and all the movies and TV series that have shaped you in a way. But in your head, in your imagination which kind of a spook are you? Are you Jack Powell? Are you ..
Saif: I have been asked that before. I guess he is most like, he is not Bond, I don't even know, I actually don't know. I know that when Sriram had written the role he had made it difficult. Like with super-heroes you kind of want to know their origin, it's very interesting to tell where they are from and did they get their powers. But it's always most interesting to know nothing about these guys. So when we were talking about what sort of a guy he is with Sriram, he said I don't know, and I don't really want to know, I mean we have got history in our minds for such guys, like where he lives in Delhi and what his surname is
NDTV: But what I mean is, what is his persona?
Saif: Yes, so I am saying, when I am playing him, what do I play him like? And so, he would write these really well scenes, and slowly this character will emerge out of this; stubborn and slightly relentless kind and a very unorthodox kind of a person. So there is a very, unlike an Indian RAW agent,
NDTV: Did you prepare spooks for the film?
Saif: No, no, I didn't. I didn't want to. I spoke to some senior journalists whether the kind of setting for the movie is realistic enough or could this really happen, because you know I am certain that there are some things that my agent is doing that a RAW agent wouldn't do. Like I am sure that an average MI6 guy is not Bond either. I don't want to get influenced by, but we read a fair amount, and there is some pretty crazy stuff that we have done.
NDTV: And how important is this movie to you in your personal journey as an actor?
Saif: I think it's very important because there are many things that have gone behind this film. It's probably the most pro-active thing I have done professionally. And also I am feeling that if you get a role like this for yourself it, in a sense, defines for the next few years the personality of the kind of roles you can play. I haven't done an action movie before, so there is a bit of a worry or nerves as to how to go down, it's not the easiest genre to suddenly pick up.
NDTV: You have said that you, in sense, love everything that comes with being a star, but it isn't as elegant and heroic as your Dad did?
Saif: That's true. Also I feel, I feel there is something about sports, may be acting is more selfish. You aren't really leading a team. There aren't really hopes and expectations on that level from what you are doing. I do love the lifestyle. I don't really like camera-phones all the time at all, camera in the face. If nobody would ever ask for an autograph from me ever again, I would really not mind.
NDTV: Is that true?
Saif: I promise you that it's true. Unless I am standing next to another movie star, who is getting a lot of attention, that might be the only time, but generally on my way in and out of the airport,
NDTV: You could live without public adulation?
Saif: That's why I am the one who keeps running to London, so I don't have public adulation and, yes if that happens, even that's not the highlight of my day. I love to work in movies and I love the importance I get for working in it, but it's really not the attention that I work for.
NDTV: So you mean it's in a way evasive, like when are you getting married, what is happening with your relationship?
Saif: Who cares what happens to it. I mean there are so many things in the country, and I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but there are so many things I would like to do and enjoy. Like we have been traveling around the country for the promotion of this movie. Like there are so many good places, nice restaurants, I am not saying I am sad
NDTV: You are not saying you are a victim? I am a poor little rich boy. You are not playing that card?
Saif: No I will tell you a funny story. I was flying in Africa, from Namibia to Cape Town, and this woman at the ticketing counter, there was nobody, the airport was really empty. So she looked at me and she said that, you are the only one. So I said, really, I am the only one on this huge plane? So I was walking up to the plane, I started taking pictures of it. I have done that, I said you know, I will tell my friends that I was the only one on this huge 747. So I was just standing at the door and I said, I mean there is nobody else coming? And she looked at her watch and I started walking in. I got onto to the plane and it was full of people who were staring at me for not coming in. The woman meant that I was the only one not on the plane yet, so they were all like, you idiot, you have been taking pictures and we have been waiting to take off. I had to apologise to them
NDTV: But it underlines the urge that how much you want to have some space to your own?
Saif: No, no, I just think how stupid I was. I was the only one, and I thought I had the plane to myself. But yes, at times I do feel, I mean if I could have it all selectively.
NDTV: You know you will be called a snob? You can live with that?
Saif: Yes, I am sorry to be such a bummer but you see, let's be honest about it, you see, it's intrusive. I mean you see a celebrity working, I mean Madonna was at the same place I was at in Switzerland, and some of our friends were like, let's go and take a picture. And I was like, I would really hate that, and somebody went and asked her and she said, no I don't do pictures, I don't know how they felt
NDTV: But you know there is a counter to that, I mean everything you have today is because of that public?
Saif: Of course, of course. But when I am sitting in my office and I am trying to make a script and making a movie, I am like, listen guys they are paying 100 bucks or 1000 bucks so we got to give them something special here. I want them to love the movie. I want them to love me. I want them to think that we are just the best production-house in the world. We have to create standards for them.
NDTV: So you want to be bankable, sellable, but not necessarily famous?
Saif: Yes. I mean if I would want to go out, hang out, you know,
NDTV: Take a walk in the Lodhi Gardens. Have you ever been to Lodhi Gardens?
Saif: Yes I have, but not recently.
NDTV: Okay I get what you mean. Okay, tell me, is it true that you have never seen your Mum's films? Not once?
Saif: Yes, I think I saw Mausam when we were young.
NDTV: And you got disturbed and decided not to see anymore?
Saif: Yes, because I feel a lot of films then were very emotional. There was crying. I think Mausam was. I don't know if it was low budget or what. She was wearing her own clothes, so the clothes she wore at home, she wore them in the movie and I connected even more, and there she was an alcoholic prostitute so ..
NDTV: And then you just never saw another film?
Saif: No I saw them. But I did not like to see her crying and she was invariably crying in the movies. You don't want to see your mother cry
NDTV: And did she understand?
Saif: I think she did.
NDTV: You think now you should see more?
Saif: Yes, I think I should see more, read more. I think there is a big difference between what we do in movies and our real life. And that was also how we were brought up. I mean we didn't even talk about movies much, Amma didn't insist on watching them, Dad was not interested.
NDTV: Did he ever watch your movies?
Saif: Yes, he watched Parineeta and Omkara, and said good job when he thought it was a good job. He was rather out-numbered by the end, by me, my mother, my sister and then Kareena would come and join us for tea; so I would wish I would've been a cricketer or at least Soha would make him feel a little more supportive.
NDTV: Last question, do you feel with him gone, there is this spoken pressure on you now to step into other roles for yourself?
Saif: No, I just feel he was a great example. I don't think he could have done more, as a person.
NDTV: Do you feel that pressure now passing onto you?
Saif: No I would love to work for it. I don't feel its pressure. I know that times are different; things have changed. He stood for larger things. It was a different era. And it's funny about this age; also it's funny about being 40. He wrote me a very interesting card on my birthday. He said, "The secret of Islam was revealed to the Prophet on his 40th birthday". So I think by which he meant, that this is an age where things could come together, and they should be. He always felt that forty was the age for him. When he, you know, started running the house properly, getting his understanding of finances and everything like that. And he has been, I mean, we are going to England in June, there is facilitation in Lords, Winchester is having a match, Oxford is playing a memorial match. It's been unbelievable,
NDTV: Yes, must make you feel very proud?
Saif: It does. I mean and it does make me very aware of the monumental and personal responsibility. So following in his footsteps is like, walking in out of the crater.
NDTV: But you feel it's all coming together for you?
Saif: No of course not. I am just here to like promote a movie and getting in trouble and then apologizing. Sharing my honest thoughts with you, saying you know I don't like 50 camera phones
NDTV: You know, Reader's Digest had this section that said, "Life is like that", so if it hasn't happened on the 40th birthday, may be on the 41st. Thank you so much.
Saif: Thank you so much, thank you NDTV