saif ali khan Has said that it took him a long time to make his mark as an actor. Things started to change when he played the character of Sameer in the 2001 film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ directed by Farhan Akhtar. After that, he became known as the stylish, modern man of Bollywood. But ten years ago, a very different kind of film showed a tougher and more serious side of him, which he later took forward in ‘Laal Kaptaan’ (2019), ‘Sacred Games’ and his new film ‘Kartavya’.

Saif Ali Khan looks back at the key achievements of his career

In an interview with Screen, Saif said, “When you look at his career, not everything is highlights. There are some highlights, and that’s quite good. Omkara is definitely something I’m proud of. Sacred Games in a way even more so. I don’t think there’s any connection between the two, but when you look back at some of the work that comes out in glitter letters, they stand out.”

The wake up call that changed Saif Ali Khan

The actor did not find this side of himself. It features a direct conversation with his mother, the veteran actor sharmila tagoreTo open his eyes. Saif recalls, “There was a time when he told me that you don’t look like a very interesting actor. You have to balance your choices and think more creatively. That was when I started taking things a little more lightly.” He doesn’t remember exactly when it happened, “It took a while, and there were a few phases”, but he has previously shared that it started when he told his mother he was excited to shoot a movie in France. He did not share his enthusiasm. Sharmila asked, “When will you tell me that you are playing an interesting role?” Saif takes it in good spirit and understands where she was coming from. “He saw more potential,” admits Saif with a smile. So, she was signaling me to wake up.”Saif argues, “I don’t know whether this should be seen as a relief or not.” He adds, “There have always been all kinds of filmmakers. There are some commercial people who have an eye on the Friday numbers, which means it requires a certain kind of energy, whatever it is, I don’t know. But then there are filmmakers with a more artistic scope, who had no option but to release their films that way.”

Why Saif Ali Khan thinks streaming is a game changer?

Saif believes that streaming has given filmmakers a new way to tell stories. He calls it “an important, alternative expression” given to some of these filmmakers. For them, it opens the door to stories that may never make it to the big screen. He further added, “There are some movies I would love to work on that people wouldn’t give a chance to release in theaters. But I think Netflix and other streaming platforms also want you to be entertained, so it’s ultimately competitive.”