Saif Ali Khan and filmmaker Priyadarshan are working together for the first time in Haiwaan, an upcoming film in which the actor plays a visually challenged character. While the trailer has already given viewers a glimpse of his role, Saif has now spoken about his experience of working with the veteran director. The actor revealed that when he was younger, he wondered whether he would fit into Priyadarshan’s style of filmmaking. However, he feels that they met at the right stage of their careers and that the collaboration happened at the perfect time.
Talking about his first impression of Priyadarshan, Saif praised the filmmaker’s long and varied career. He said, “The first impression was just this massive body of work and how many varied films he had done and what a prolific director he was and what a calm and cool personality. When I was younger, I thought perhaps our worlds, I was wondering how we would match because I wasn’t very well trained as an actor. I kind of knew how to do certain kind of rom-com but I didn’t know if I’d fit into his world. Even though he’s got different genres, I don’t know how good I would have been but I think we met at the right time where I understand a little bit more of what’s expected of me now.”
Saif also spoke highly about Priyadarshan’s working style and said that the director is extremely focused and disciplined on set. He explained that the filmmaker knows exactly what he wants and does not waste time. Saif said, “I really enjoyed working with him more than I’ve enjoyed working with anyone because he’s so economical and doesn’t waste any time and is so clear on what he wants that second-guessing and wondering and insecurity is just not there.” He added that Priyadarshan’s way of working creates a productive atmosphere and allows everyone to finish their work without unnecessary delays.
The actor also recalled an interesting incident from the sets. According to Saif, Priyadarshan once asked a group of violin players to leave because their performance was not matching what he had in mind. A new group arrived from Andheri after the first group was sent back to Town in South Mumbai. Despite the change, the team reportedly finished the shoot three hours early. Saif said the experience showed him how efficiently Priyadarshan works.
Saif further praised the director for knowing how to balance creative ideas with commercial cinema. He recalled one scene involving a parking lot where Priyadarshan used darkness to suit the story because Saif’s character is visually challenged. Saif said the filmmaker was able to turn a practical problem into something that worked creatively for the film.
Calling the project a blessing at this stage of his career, Saif said working with such a good director and getting such an interesting role had been a “real treat” for him. Haiwaan is scheduled to release in theatres on 11th September.
