Even as he celebrates the success of Parineeta, Saif Ali Khan is facing a family crisis — his father, India’s former cricket captain Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pautadi, is in serious trouble with the law regarding a deer-poaching incident in Haryana. Belongs to the old school “As his son, I’m really concerned,” says Saif. “If my father has done wrong, then I guess he must be punished. But it must be remembered that he’s 64 years old, and not in the pink of health.
And he was once a terrific national hero on the cricket field. I don’t think he meant to break the law. Perhaps he belongs to a school of thinking — albeit politically incorrect — where hunting isn’t viewed as a serious crime.”
Wouldn’t survive prison
“If my father has broken the law, he’s culpable. But he’s also a frail man, who wouldn’t survive prison. Amma (mom Sharmila Tagore) is worried sick.” Speaking of his mother, the actor cheers up a little. “Parineeta is for my mom — I finally got to tap the Bengali side of me.”
At peace with Rosa
“I don’t know why these hard knocks are served up to me . Maybe I deserve to be treated the way I am. But all this stress is taking its toll on me,” says the actor. “And now my success is being held against me.
They say I’ve left my wife and children because the success of Hum Tum got to my head. Not true! My leaving Amrita was nothing overnight. It was on the cards for a long time, another woman had nothing to do with it. When it happened, it was like a very painful amputation.
But it was also the best thing to do, given the circumstances. I’m very much at peace with Rosa. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I feel whole and healthy.”
Will they marry?
Saif rules out remarriage. “I’ve gone through it once…” he trails off. Some say he would do it again. “You mean leave Rosa for another woman? How do I explain myself to people who think that way? Why do I owe an explanation to anyone, except my family, my parents, my wife and my two kids?”
I live for my kids
“My son is my chamcha. He does his hair like me, tries to walk and talk like me.
While Sarah understands the situation, Ebrahim thinks I’m just out for a long shooting schedule. He once very loudly asked me in front of a hundred people when I was coming back. I felt like sinking into the ground,” groans the actor.
“Gawd, I miss my children so much! Anyone who thinks I’ve abandoned them doesn’t know what it’s to be like an absentee parent. I miss my kids all the time. Every penny I earn is for my children. I live for them and I’d die for them.”
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"What next? I keep asking myself that question repeatedly," says Saif Ali Khan, who discovered a new facet to himself this Father's Day when his father Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was behind bars in a Haryana prison.
Father's Day Sunday saw Pataudi in judicial custody in Jhajjar after being arrested on charges of killing an endangered blackbuck. And son Saif is distraught.
"I don't claim to be the ideal son. Who is? But this incident has certainly brought me closer to my dad. I was scared of him earlier. Now when he's landed up in trouble I feel protective."
Saif was in Kolkata to promote his new film "Parineeta". "The film is doing well here. It's my first brush with a Bengali milieu. I wish I could enjoy the attention," Saif told IANS from the hometown of his mother, Sharmila Tagore.
"But right now the success of 'Parineeta' seems so distant. I'm so stressed by what's happening to my father, I'm falling apart."
His father surrendered Saturday, after having been in hiding since June 3 when he was found with the carcass of a blackbuck.
Said Saif: "Dad has given himself over to the law, and that's really cool. He's being very brave. He has broken the law, but it doesn't feel that way to me. I admire him for taking the right decision. My mom, elder sis and I have been stressing so much... it's not healthy for any of us."
Saif has been in touch with mom throughout. Younger sis Soha is in Italy shooting for David Dhawan's "Shaadi No.1". "I've told her not to worry at all. This is my responsibility, my burden. I want to take care of it all by myself. Mom is there. And we'll manage. Sure, Dad has been denied anticipatory bail. But now we're hopeful he'll get bail and he'll be out soon."
Saif sounds uncharacteristically optimistic and decisive.
"Life teaches you so much in so little time. I feel I've changed as a person ever since dad got into trouble. It's as though I've finally grown up. I hope I can prove a worthy son during this hour of crisis in the family," said Saif softly.
-- Edited by RJ_Sonia at 11:18, 2005-06-20
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Only Saif and I know what the truth is: Amrita Singh
A marriage gone sour needn''t be an end, but a beginning -- just like it is for Amrita Singh who has bounced back into the limelight, looking and feeling better than she ever did, after her break-up with Saif Ali Khan.
Her relationship with Saif and the way the marriage ended is "private domain", says Amrita quite clearly. "Only Saif and I know what the truth is," says the actress who has made her comeback with the TV serial "Kavyanjali".
Amrita talks at length about her two children, Sara and Ibrahim. "I love my kids too much to not ensure they sail through. Everything else in my life is so secondary," she says.
The actress says she needs to get back to the big screen and has been offered two-three films. She says in a philosophical note: "If that one door hadn''t shut in my face, I wouldn''t have had so many other doors open for me."
In this interview with IANS, Amrita makes it clear that no one pays to support her. "I need to work to support myself and my kids."
How does it feel getting back to acting after so many years?
The hours are so stretched out, sometimes I feel I'm overworked. We don't have a bank of episodes for the serial "Kavyanjali" that I'm doing. We're trying to create that. Which means lots more work. Fortunately, I've great help with the children. My grandmother is there to look after them, plus good servants and maids who have been with me from before my kids were born. Mashallah, I've no stress on that score.
It was so wonderful to see the whole industry come forward to take your side when Saif Ali Khan decided to disappear from your life.
But, my dear, there never was any battle. So why take sides? But the support has been wonderful and unquestioning. No one demands to know my side of the story. I love my kids too much to not ensure they sail through. Everything else in my life is so secondary. They're so bright and supportive. They are a true blessing.
Was returning to acting tough?
It was a little tough. It does take a little time to get into the groove. I don't know of anyone who stayed away for so long. It was more daunting for me to return. I was given to believe that actresses have a shelf life, and I thought mine had expired. It's so good to see a change in perceptions about an actress' life span. I couldn't have chosen a better time to come back. And my producer Ekta Kapoor has been mind-blowing. I've the highest regard for her. I got offers from almost every channel, and many movie offers in Bollywood. But I wanted to work with Ekta.
Good movie offers?
Well...a job is a job. I'm grateful that they even thought of me. It's good to know there's a job waiting for you. After 12 years of staying away from a career it gives a great sense of confidence and self-respect to a woman. I'm getting so much work I can't take it all. Thank god. If that one door hadn't shut in my face, I wouldn't have had so many other doors open for me (laughs).
Did you see the crisis coming?
Not at all. But I've always been pretty grown-up and capable of handling crisis. Life has been tough for me. I never got the chance to play the damsel in distress.
No Mills & Boon stuff in your growing years?
I'd have loved that! But I never got the opportunity to live that kind of life. I'd just love to ride off into the sunset with my love. I've only seen the sunset so far. Maybe I can earn my own Ferrari so I can ride off in the sunset without anyone by my side.
You never took your career as a movie actress seriously?
No never. I saw it as a chance to have my own identity, and loads and loads of money. At 17, movies gave me bread, butter, jam, caviar... dude, the works! I've seen so many generations of actors come and go. I left at the right time. I had done my bit, worked with the best.
I was quite tired of working. I wanted to get married and have my own kids... I don't regret any decision in my life... not my career, not marriage. Every experience has been so fulfilling in so many ways.
Is there any bitterness about the way your marriage ended?
Well, that's pretty private domain. Only Saif and I know what the truth is. Now I've come back at a time when both television and cinema have so much to offer me. I have to work. I need to work to support myself and my kids. No one pays for my support.
And the children?
Let's hope they'll be looked after. But I need to work to keep up a lifestyle which my kids and I are used to. And I'm not about to give up on that. Work is fantastic. My daughter tells me I'm crazy to be working like mad. I mean every woman takes care of her kids.
But to go out there and work at my age is no joke. You know, I do regret the fact that my son Ibrahim who's just four can't get the same attention from me as my daughter Sara did. Because Mama is out making a living. A fish can't swim and fly.
But then I average 20 days of work per month. For the rest of the month three of us take off on holiday, do whatever we want. My kids and I live like three fun-loving hermits. We're quite bohemian. My children are the most wonderful gifts god has given me. I'm so blessed...
But Sara seems to have established her own rapport with the entire industry. The topmost names whom I'd shiver to call are her friends. She can call up anyone.
What do you feel about your serial "Kavyanjali"?
We're just trying to find our footing. I think we still have to find our bearings in the plot. For people to write it off is premature and malicious. This isn't a film where fate is decided on one Friday. Did people expect me to be the central character? Wonder why!
Because it was always the story of the two people named in the title Kavya and Anjali. I'm happy being one of the central characters. I've seen far too many Bollywood divas take on a film and fall flat on their flashy faces. Now I need to get back on the big screen. I've been offered two-three films, one a biggie.
