Little less Bollywood good for us: Saif Ali Khan

Mumbai: Taking a philosophical view of the films that haven’t worked for him recently, Saif Ali Khan says, “Sometimes you work on other people’s convictions, who have made successful and widely watched films. Had Bullet Raja been like Paan Singh Tomar and Humshakkals like Housefull — which was the intention — it would have been a different story.”

When it comes to his forthcoming films, Saif is more enthusiastic.

“Happy Ending is a different, age-appropriate kind of rom-com that makes a bit of fun of itself. As for Phantom, it’s a huge honour for me that Kabir Khan chose me as his lead. It’s a taut topical thriller,” he says.

We ask Saif about his split with his longtime business partner Dinesh Vijan (of Maddock Films).

The failure of the Armaan Jain-starrer Lekar Hum Deewana Dil was rumoured to be what caused the rift between the two.

Saif, however, clarifies, “It’s not a big deal (as it’s made out to be). We just had different ideas on what films to make, so we will make them separately.”

So what kind of films would Saif like to make with his production house? “A little more Indian film industry and a little less Bollywood in our attitude would be great I think,” says Saif, adding with a laugh, “Not that I can talk much, with my recent choices!”

Moving on to life off screen, Saif and his wife Kareena continue to be one of Bollywood’s power couples and sister Soha Ali Khan too recently announced her engagement to Kunal Khemu.

On the film front, she hasn’t been doing very well but Saif isn’t a worried brother.

“I’m very happy that Soha bia (as he calls her) is happy doing the best of what is offered to her. I’m not too worried about her. I hope she gets to do the films she wants. She is an Oxford and LSE graduate and can get a great job in any country and at any stage of her life. How do you worry about someone so qualified? She is following her passion and that’s wonderful.”