Saif Ali Khan has built a career by taking risks. Time and again, he has chosen unconventional roles and challenged himself with complex characters.
Recently, in an exclusive conversation with IMDb, the actor revisited some of his most memorable films. Along the way, he shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and reflected on the choices that shaped his journey.
From landing the unforgettable role of Langda Tyagi in Omkara to explaining why Kal Ho Na Ho remains timeless, Saif offered fans a nostalgic trip through his career. He also spoke about Love Aaj Kal, Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero, and Parineeta, revealing several lesser-known anecdotes.
Sharmila Tagore’s Advice Led Him to Omkara
One of the interview’s most surprising stories was about how Saif landed Omkara.
According to the actor, his mother, legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, encouraged him to explore Shakespeare-inspired stories, especially Othello. Coincidentally, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj called him soon after with a similar idea.
Naturally, Saif jokingly asked if he would be playing Othello. However, Bhardwaj had something else in mind.
Instead, the director laughed and told him he was “too handsome” for the role. He then offered Saif the character of Langda Tyagi.
As it turned out, that decision changed everything. The performance became one of the finest of Saif’s career and earned him widespread critical acclaim.
Love Aaj Kal Was Ahead of Its Time
Saif also looked back at Love Aaj Kal with great affection.
Interestingly, he believes the film never received the appreciation it truly deserved. Despite mixed reviews at the time, he still considers it one of Imtiaz Ali’s strongest works.
Furthermore, Saif praised Imtiaz’s writing style. He said the filmmaker creates emotionally flawed characters who feel authentic because they struggle with love just like real people.
He also revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes story about the film’s ending.
Originally, Imtiaz wanted Jai to reunite with Meera only after she had moved on and become pregnant. However, Saif and producer Dinesh Vijan strongly believed audiences would connect better with a happier ending.
Eventually, the two visited Imtiaz in London and convinced him to reconsider. Looking back, Saif admitted he was thankful they managed to change the climax.
Why Kal Ho Na Ho Still Feels Special
One of the biggest highlights of the interview was Saif’s reflection on Kal Ho Na Ho.
According to him, Bollywood no longer makes films like it.
He explained that the movie belonged to a unique era when NRI-based stories dominated Hindi cinema. At the time, audiences around the world deeply connected with family dramas and romances set abroad.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan had become the face of that wave.
In fact, Saif humorously said Shah Rukh was “riding the NRI wave with a surfboard,” highlighting the superstar’s unmatched popularity during that period.
He also spoke warmly about working alongside Shah Rukh. More importantly, he praised the actor’s incredible energy, larger-than-life stardom, and his contribution to taking Indian cinema to a global audience.
Even today, more than two decades later, Kal Ho Na Ho continues to resonate with audiences, making Saif’s comments even more nostalgic for fans.
Playing Udaybhan in Tanhaji Was Pure Fun
Saif also reflected on playing the antagonist Udaybhan Rathod in Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero.
Unlike many actors who hesitate to play villains, he approached the role with complete freedom.
According to Saif, Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji was intentionally portrayed as calm and restrained. Therefore, Udaybhan needed to bring energy, unpredictability, and drama to the story.
As a result, Saif fully embraced the character’s larger-than-life personality.
The performance once again showcased his remarkable versatility and became one of the film’s biggest highlights.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Advice Changed His Career
Saif also credited producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra for changing the direction of his career.
He recalled that Chopra repeatedly encouraged him to stop accepting supporting roles and wait for opportunities to lead films.
More importantly, the producer reminded him that he had the talent to carry an entire movie on his shoulders.
Soon enough, Chopra kept his promise and cast Saif in Parineeta.
The film proved to be a turning point. It established Saif as a dependable leading man capable of balancing commercial success with meaningful performances.
Looking back, the actor admitted that this advice significantly influenced the choices he made throughout his career.
A Career Defined by Reinvention
Over the years, Saif Ali Khan has constantly reinvented himself.
Whether it was the menacing Langda Tyagi in Omkara, the charming Jai in Love Aaj Kal, the lovable Rohit in Kal Ho Na Ho, the fierce Udaybhan in Tanhaji, or the sophisticated Shekhar in Parineeta, he has consistently embraced diverse roles.
His latest IMDb interview not only celebrates these iconic performances but also offers a rare glimpse into the creative thinking behind them.
Ultimately, Saif’s reflections serve as a reminder that while Bollywood continues to evolve, certain films remain timeless. And for him, Kal Ho Na Ho is undoubtedly one of those unforgettable classics.
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