"Deepika's personality grounds my personality" - Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan is just five minutes away before he addresses the Indian media on his maiden venture into production for his film Love Aaj Kal in which he stars opposite the beautiful leggy Deepika Padukone. But inside the PVR theatre, the room temperature is high and our mind is on overdrive. He has it all. A successful career and a blissful relationship with Kareena Kapoor. Media keeps waiting for more than an hour but they don't complaint because the man in question is a 'nawab'.

Buzz up!
In fact, there is a 99% possibility that he can be declared as the sexiest man alive in Bollywood. So there he was; he walks up to the stage with an English walk, wearing the summer cliche white shirt and blue denims. His brown boots, brown sun-glasses and belt make him the ultimate spaghetti western and a true style icon of Hindi cinema. For the genial Indian actor, there is more than usual at stake because Love Aaj Kal is too personal for him.


Not only is Saif inspired by his idol Clint Eastwood
, he also recalls what the American actor once said, "The worst step I can ever take is to get into production. So I've named my company 'Malpaso' which means a bad step". Khan quotes, "I think that was very brave and bold." We meet the desi cowboy in videsi style to talk all about Love Aaj Kal, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, Imtiaz Ali, his take on life, career and how to play it safe in love. Over to Saif in Love!

As a debutant producer
"You are never hundred percent satisfied as a producer. Every detail has to be organized. Even if you want a glass of water, it has to be organized. We've learnt a lot of things into our maiden venture and my dear friend and partner Mr. Dinesh Vijan has been a great support. Our entire team of Illuminati is fantastic. But it was Imtiaz Ali who told me that he wanted me to only be an actor as he didn't like me to handle the production problems. Yes, creatively, in terms of promos, posters, etc I've been actively involved with. Being a producer is sometimes frightening but it's also exciting. I'm in a positive frame of mind with Love Aaj Kal."

Advice from Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar
I've been fortunate enough to work in a few very good productions. My only success in cinema came from working with big banners like Yash Raj, Excel Entertainment, Dharma Productions, etc. I'm fortunate enough to have friends in the industry who're producers too. Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar would be happy to advice me on the finer tips about production if ever I asked them for one. I haven't called anyone to ask for help. I'm not saying that I know everything about production but I believe that everything is a learning process and somehow we've managed to make our first film."

Getting into Production
"My interest really is not so much in production. But after working for eighteen years you feel that it'll be nice to own a little bit of what you're working for and work a little bit more for yourself and be creatively involved. When your own money is involved, the inputs from friends, colleagues mean something else. So I wanted to learn that level of involvement and business that has given me so much. Today, I do feel more ready as a producer, an independent one because there aren't any independent producers left. All have turned into one big production house."

The mystery woman
"There isn't any mystery surrounding the second actress in Love Aaj Kal. Her name is Harleen. She isn't here as a part of the promotion for the film because we felt that the main focus of the movie is Deepika and myself in terms of characters. Harleen isn't someone whom we've kept deliberately away from you. She is very good in the film."

Imtiaz Ali
"When you hear a script and hear a vibe from somebody, it works for me. A famous actor once said, 'The clever thing an actor does is not acting, it's the listening he does'. I'm a good listener. So when Imtiaz narrated me the script, I decided that we should go ahead with the film."

Love 1965 to 2009
"I think the experience of love is the same. A lot of cinematic and real life love stories have certain obstacles. In today's time it could be career, distance, etc. The process of falling in love may be different in two different eras but the feeling is the same. That is pretty much what Love Aaj Kal is about. There is a 1965 love kal and 2009 love aaj. So there is a story within the story and it's not really a comparison between two different eras. I'm not playing a double role and Imtiaz Ali isn't going to make a film which is confusing."

Saif Ali Khan - the lover
"I guess everybody has the same definition for love. I mean, I am lovey-dovey kinds but also a bit practical and if you're saying that there is too much love happening in my life, I think it's a little bit unfair. That's got a lot to do with the media (laughs). Yes, I've got a lot of love in my life which is a good thing."

Deepika Padukone
"Deepika's personality grounds my personality on screen; in a way what Rani Mukherjee does because we are different types. I'm a little more western in my things and she is a little more earthy. That mixture makes an interesting chemistry on screen."

Playing a Sardar
"To play a Sardar, I had some responsibilities to it also. We met various members of some Sikh organizations like the Akalis. They were all very happy when they heard about the film and my role. Dolly Tiwari who has done my clothes in the film has been so perfect to dress me up as one. A lot of Sardarji's will be very proud for the honourable representation that this character has given in the film. I had to work on the accent a little bit."

On IIFA
"IIFA is a great platform to promote your film as long as it suits everybody. The main performance slot is the first one or the last one and they both were already taken. The opening act was already booked and the Bachchans are doing the grand finale at this year's IIFA. So we didn't want to dissolve our film somewhere in the middle."

On Salman and Akshay playing a Sardar
"I haven't seen Salman Khan's film Heroes but I have seen Akshay's Singh is Kinng. I thought that it was a very glamorous and a cool kind of a film and I think he looked very good. The outfits were larger than life but the Sardar I'm playing is very down to earth and there is no comparison. You should see a film as a new and a different world and only then you'll enjoy it. We can compare between us but the idea is just to be genuine within that and not really think about others."

“Kareena is not insecure about her man”- Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone tells us that Kareena Kapoor is not insecure as an actress to demand that Saif should replace Deepika in Love Aaj Kal with her, just because Saif is her boy friend and Imtiaz Ali is her favorite director after Jab We Met.

In what way is Love Aaj Kal different from your earlier films?
I am quiet thrilled about my next release- Love Aaj Kal , which I feel is quite different when compared to my earlier films. Love Aaj Kal will undoubtedly go down as one of the most special films for me as an actress. I could identify with my real life a lot with the character of my reel life Meera that I have played in Love Aaj Kal. . Like me, she is today’s girl. She is very grounded, sensitive and practical. In fact, I even kept on teasing Imtiaz Ali that in spite of his hectic schedule as a film maker he may have kept on following me around in order to etch a character like that of Meera for me in Love Aaj Kal, which is totally ME.

What was your reaction when Saif compared you with Rani Mukherjee?
If Saif Ali Khan compares me with an actress of the caliber of Rani Mukherjee, I think he is only being extremely polite, kind and sweet towards me. I should say that I have learnt a lot from him as a co-actor. What I like about Saif is that he is so natural. I will unabashedly state that I have been a huge fan of his right from the time I liked watching him in Dil Chahta Hai.

Isn’t it strange but true that you have always been pitted with actors older to you except for Ranbir in Bachna Ae Haseena. Do you ever feel conscious about the age difference?
To tell you the truth, though people ask me whether I was conscious because of the age difference between Shahrukh and me in Om Shanti Om or Akshay Kumar and me in Chandni Chowk to China or for that matter Saif and me in Love Aaj Kal, all that I’d say is that I do not feel the age difference at all. On the contrary I feel secure because all my co-actors are very experienced. It is nice to be around people like these, especially for a girl like me who has absolutely no filmi background at all.

After working with Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, how comfortable were you working with the chote nawab Saif Ali Khan?
Deepika admits that it was a very good experience for her working with the unit of Love Aaj Kal. “Considering that it is their first film production, I should say that Saif as well as Dinesh have done a brilliant job. Saif and Dinesh ensured that I was comfortable throughout their shoot, as producers. It is nice to have a director like Imtiaz Ali who understands my approach to acting.

Did you have any reservations about doing a hot lip to lip kiss with Saif in Love Aaj Kal just because you are in a relationship with Ranbir Kapoor?
As an actress, I see to it that I am able to separate my personal life from my professional life. All of us have to move on in life. I am not a prude, though I am still conservative enough not to be in favor of getting into a love in relationship. I have never ever denied that I am into a relationship. I feel it is nice to have that one person with whom you can share everything in your life. Just because I am into a steady relationship with Ranbir, it does not mean that I am against doing any kissing or intimate scenes with any of my co-actors. I am a through professional. You do a scene some times because you feel you should do it and it is right.

How often was Saif’s girl friend Kareena Kapoor spotted on the sets?
Kareena was never on the sets even once when I was shooting with Saif, because, she is not the type of girl who is insecure about her man. Kareena knows that she is brilliant as an actress. If I were in her place, and I was not cast in my boy friend’s film, even I would have felt the same like Kareena if she felt that she should have been the leading lady opposite Saif in Love Aaj Kal and not me. Just because her boy friend is the producer of the film and Imtiaz Ali who is the director of the film is her favorite director, after she worked with him in Jab We Met, she did not demand that I should be replaced in Love Aaj Kal with her.

Interview With Deepika Padukone

Interview With Deepika Padukone:
Shahrukh Khan
, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan - Deepika Padukone is pretty much working with the best in the business across diverse age groups. With too much happening in her life in too little time, Deepika is already staring at her fourth release in less than two years since she made her much hyped debut with Om Shanti Om. On the eve of the film's mega release, Deepika talks to us about her years gone by in Bollywood, Imtiaz's narrative approach, her songs, styling and the generation leap that the film takes.

From Om Shanti Om to Bachna Ae Haseeno to Chandni Chowk To China and now Love Aaj Kal - There is a visible transformation in you, right Deepika?


Yes, I have indeed opened up a lot during last two years. Of course experience does set in and you tend to become a lot more confident with every film you do. However, one can't forget that one of the major contributors to the entire transformation process is the script of Love Aaj Kal. The character too plays a major role in the way you come across on screen.

Add to that the 'Imtiaz factor'....?

Yes, I was coming to that. The entire combination as I stated earlier can never be complete until and unless the director at the helm of affairs ensures that all of it comes in just the right proportion. He is one director who really brings out your real potential. Credit it to him that I am so 'khulla' today!

So are we looking at an out and out light hearted entertainer in Love Aaj Kal? Or are there some serious dramatic elements embellished in the narrative as well?

Yes, there are some serious elements as well. They do not become too heavy though. There are pensive moments but not 'bhaari-bharkam' enough to make you feel cheated since everyone is expecting Love Aaj Kal to be a fun outing. At the heart of it, Love Aaj Kal is a complete entertainer that will certainly leave you smiling as you exit the theaters. Love Aaj Kal is a complete entertainer that will certainly leave you smiling.

Well, Pritam, Imtiaz and Saif have promised that with 'Aahun Aahun' which comes in the end credits roll!
'Aahun Aahun' is a riot for sure (laughs). But then you must not forget 'Dooriyan' as well which is the only sad number in the film. It has been amazingly picturised and gives an altogether different dimension to the film as it carries the story forward. My personal favorite though is 'Chor Bazaari'.

Talking about 'Chor Bazaari', you seem to have gone through a complete costume makeover for Love Aaj Kal.

Credit it to Anahita Shroff Adajania, my costume designer, and Imtiaz. They came with an entirely fresh take on costumes and styling. They complimented each other and brought in Indian as well as Western sensibilities. Both were very sure about they wanted from me and the costumes I wear. My character also goes through a gradual transition from the first half into the second half so the overall styling did help to bring out that aspect as well. Anahita and I have been working together since my modeling days and she is very well aware about my body structure and what suits me most. That really helped.

Coming to the film's narrative, since the film moves across two generations, was it a little tedious to shoot for the film?

Of what I know about the narration that Imtiaz has adopted for the film, you will never feel the jerk in it even though the story moves back and forth in time. It is pretty seamless actually and all scenes blend in well with the spirit of the movie. In any case Imtiaz is not someone who believes in bringing in unnecessary technical jargon and he has in fact kept it all quite simple. Once you see the film, you will realize it for yourself!

You will never feel the jerk in the film even though the story moves back and forth in time

Since the film also tells the story of Rishi Kapoor, do you also have any scenes with him?
I have just one scene with him!

So all in the family?
(Giggles away)