In a new avatar

Saif Ali Khan talks shop and what makes him stray from the formula, wanting a prequel over a sequel, an anti rom-com over a traditional love story, and a zombie movie that makes you laugh rather than scream.

Saif Ali Khan admits that he is not a Zombie fan. In fact, he finds the visual of decaying beauty and decomposing flesh depressing. Yet, he chose not just to act in, but also produce India’s first zom-com, Go Goa Gone (2013). The rationale behind this creative gamble is, “I liked the idea of using prosthetics and special effects to flesh out these frightening creatures, and then, with the audience, laugh at them,” explains Saif who is seen on screen chasing after the zombies with a smoking gun and an affected accent.

It is difficult to equate this caricature of the Russian mafia with the cool dude of this year’s first Rs 100 crore earner, Race 2, but then Saif has never believed in playing safe with the tried and tested formula, either as an actor or as a producer. After turning the horror genre on its head, he is now looking forward to an anti rom-com, intriguingly titled Happy Endings, with the director duo of Go Goa Gone, Krishna D K and Raj Nidimoru.“It will be filmed in Los Angeles and I’m looking forward to a relaxed shoot after the crazy crowds and demanding action sequences in Lucknow,” says the star who has been shooting for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s gangster movie, Bullet Raja, in Uttar Pradesh.

Fitting into the role

Bullet Raja, he admits, has taken him out of not just his urban, urbane environment, but his comfort zone as an actor too. “It is a beautifully scripted character with attitude, but I had to change everything to play him, from my body language and diction to my wardrobe,” laughs the suave chhote nawab, adding that while he wouldn’t dress as tastelessly in a million years, the look is “tacky cool”.

Tigmanshu earlier this year entered the theatres with Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster 2, and plans to take the series about debauched royals forward with a new gangster every time. Part 2 featured Saif’s younger sister Soha as the new biwi, would he be open to playing the gangster sometime in the future? “Anything is possible,” he quips. “I love working with Tigmanshu. His cinema is phenomenal. He got me into shape with rigorous training and a regulated lifestyle after my post-wedding indulgences. He made me realise I’m capable of so much more as an actor.”

But Tigmanshu will have to wait his turn for Saif’s dates which, besides Raj and DK, have been allotted to Prabhu Deva for a film high on action and dance, and the two Sajids. There’s an action adventure with Sajid Nadiadwala to be directed by Kabir Khan. And there’s Sajid Khan’s Hum Shakal revolving around a pair of identical twins.
Sajid Khan’s last film, Himmatwala is one of the year’s debacles, yet Saif is unperturbed. “Himmatwala was a remake of an 80s hit and Sajid was able to recreate the retro setting perfectly which, according to me, is quite an achievement. He made what he set out to make,” he argues.

Isn’t Hum Shakal also a remake of an 80s film, Gulzar’s comedy of errors, Angoor (1982)? Saif is quick to refute the popular misconception. “It’s not Angoor. I guess the rumour started because earlier we were toying with the title Longoor,” he retorts tongue-in-cheek. “It’s more on the lines of a traditional slapstick comedy, the kind I have never done before. I find Sajid to be a really funny guy.”

Remaking classics

Since we are in the 80s, and on the subject of remakes, is there an old favourite that he’d like to present in a modern context? “I don’t know about the 80s, but given a chance, I’d love to remake Bimal Roy’s Madhumati (1958) from the late 50s. The Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala-starrer had everything from superhit songs and spine-chilling suspense to tragic drama and spirited action,” he says. Point out that another Khan, Shah Rukh, has already beaten him to his muse with Om Shanti Om (2007), and he protests, “That was not really Madhumati. But on second thoughts, it would be difficult to remake a classic and far more sensible to make something original, like Go Goa Gone.”

Today, when every other filmmaker wants to take his film forward, is Saif also planning a sequel to his zom-com? “I don’t know about a sequel with zombies in the backdrop, but the two nutcases played by Kunal Khemmu and Vir Das are so enjoyable that we could spin a series around their misadventures in different locations if Go Goa Gone works,” he muses.

And what about Race 3? Producer Ramesh Sippy has publicly admitted that he cannot think of taking his big-ticket franchise ahead without Ranveer Singh? “That’s all very well, provided the franchise doesn’t make you secure or lazy. That’s why many respectable actors shy away from becoming a part of a brand,” Saif points out, insisting that he would not do it just to piggy-back on a hit. “A film is not a Wallmart, but a creative proposition, and to keep it going you have to work extra hard on the script.”

There were many who had issues with the portrayal of women in Race 2, but for Saif that’s the least of concerns. His grievances centre around the screenplay. “The idea was a little far-fetched, and the script, just glamorised stuff. Sure, Race 2 made Rs 100 crore, but with a more exciting story, we could have made Rs 150 crore. It’s a shame we didn’t,” he sighs, pointing out that now he’d be more interested in a prequel that explains what made Ranveer Singh the man he is. “But it has to be a top-class screenplay.”

With that, Saif has put a filmmaker on the right track while he himself prepares to bowl the wrong with Happy Endings. Maybe his next reel life fairy tale will not reflect its positive title, but the 42-year-old star-producer is unconcerned because in real life Kareena Kapoor and his love story had a happy ending. He says, “I’m definitely more settled and happier today.” Touche!