A Suave, Versatile Actor

BOLLYWOOD SaifSaif AliAli KhanKhan AA ssuuaavvee,, vveerrssaattiillee aaccttoorr or Saif Ali Khan, who is now basking in the success of his After his spate of flops, Saif retracted from public life and he suddenly latest film Being Cyrus, the film is different in many ways. became inaccessible and refused to sign any more films. For the first time, he worked in an offbeat project. Unlike But soon he made his second entry to films. He signed films like his other films, this one is in English, a language he is more Dil Chahta Hai and Kya Kehna, both of which became hits. The succ- comfortable with. ess of Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai with Aamir Khan, Akshaye Kha- FF“See, even if it’s Hindi, I still learn quickly. But obviously English, nna and Dimple Kapadia proved his versatility as an actor. He received which I speak in real life, requires a body language that I understand” the Fimfare Best Comedian Award in 2002 for Dil Chahta Hai. Saif said. In terms of money, debutant director Homi Adajania’s Being His next hit film was Hum Tum, a romantic comedy. His perform- Cyrus was not a profitable venture but Saif did it for the creative sat- ance as Karan in this movie was natural and his style was perfect for isfaction. However, he doesn’t deny that money does play an impor- this movie. He got rave reviews from critics and this movie also tant role in the selection of films. fetched many awards including a National Award for Best Actor for Born to illustrious parents, the Nawab of Pataudi and the erstwhile him in 2004. beauty Sharmila Tagore, Saif spent most of his formative years in a Then he took colossal strides in Parineeta. He handled a complex boarding school in England. At 20, he returned to India and decided role with dexterity and enacted his part with flourish. His awesome that movies were the best option for him. He made a foray into the acting as a serious lover in Parineeta won him critical acclaim. Then, world of acting with Aashiq Aawara, pairing with actress Mamta in Salaam Namasthe, he delivered a spirited performance and became Kulkarni which eventually one of the sought after actors became a hit. in Bollywood. But after his next few films Saif now is excited about — Dil Tera Diwana, Mr. playing a Shakespearean role Aashiq, Imtihaan, Parampara in Omkara — the challenging — didn’t do well, he was on milieu, look and character, and the brink of getting written off. the thought of deglamourising Then he had Yash Chopra’s himself. In this adaptation of Yeh Dillagi with Akshay Kumar Othello, Saif plays a role and Kajol, which was a major where he has no interaction success. His Ole Ole and with women. Hothon Pe Bus Tera Naam Unfortunately, Saif’s person- numbers emerged as chart- al life in the recent past has busters. Close on the heels of not been that great, with his Yeh Dillagi, his Main Khiladi very public divorce from his ex Tu Anari with Akshay also wife Amrita Singh in 2004. clicked. It was boom-time for However, putting all that in Saif again, but not for long, the past, Saif seems to have because his next two releases turned a new chapter in his with Akshay bit dust: Keemat life, both professionally and and Tu Chor Main Sipahi. Saif Ali Khan in a still from ‘Being Cyrus’ and, top, from ‘Parineeta’ personally. ■ I N D I A R E V I E W A P R I L 2 0 0 6 6.

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