Saif Ali Khan has often spoken about the people who have influenced his career, but one piece of advice from Shah Rukh Khan has stayed with him for years. The actor recently recalled an important lesson he learned while working with Shah Rukh during the filming of the much-loved Bollywood classic Kal Ho Naa Ho.
In a conversation with Variety India, Saif shared how Shah Rukh changed the way he looked at acting. According to Saif, Shah Rukh once asked him a simple but thought provoking question about whom he performs for while acting. Saif admitted that he did not have a clear answer and said he simply acted for the camera. Shah Rukh then explained that an actor’s first audience is actually the director because the director is the storyteller. He told Saif that audiences come to watch a film because they trust the director’s vision, making the director the most important person an actor should perform for.
The advice left a lasting impression on Saif and helped him better understand the filmmaking process. Over the years, Saif has earned praise for his performances in a wide variety of films and continues to be regarded as one of the most versatile actors in the industry.
During the same interview, Saif was also asked whether he would ever consider directing a film himself. The actor quickly dismissed the idea and said that directing is not something he plans to pursue. However, he added that he enjoys creating a certain atmosphere in his personal life, whether at home, around a dinner table or in spaces where people gather. Saif believes that creating the right atmosphere is important in both life and filmmaking, even if he prefers not to do it professionally as a director.
Kal Ho Naa Ho, released in 2003, remains one of Bollywood’s most loved films. Directed by Nikkhil Advani and written by Karan Johar and Niranjan Iyengar, the movie starred Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta in lead roles. Set in New York City, the emotional drama followed the story of Naina, Aman and Rohit and became both a critical and commercial success. The film also won two National Film Awards and continues to enjoy a strong fan following even today.
On the work front, Saif has several exciting projects lined up. He will next be seen in Haiwaan, where he reunites with director Priyadarshan and shares screen space with Akshay Kumar. He is also part of Hum Hindustani, a Netflix period drama directed by Rahul Dholakia. Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of officials who overcame huge challenges to successfully conduct India’s first general election and promises to showcase an important chapter in the country’s history.