Playing it Saif

By: Shams Irfan

If Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ would not have happened at the right time, ‘struggling’ actor Saif Ali Khan’s film career might have been over for long.

It [Dil Chahta Hai] worked as elixir for Saif’s aging film career and made him a star that he is today. His near perfect comic-timing and no-nonsense acting in DCH took everyone by surprise and saved Saif from being history.

Saif Ali Khan

But it was his on-screen chemistry with King Khan [Shahrukh] in Karan Johar’s ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ that finally ensured Saif’s smooth stay in the showbiz.

Since then Saif continued to surprise critics and fans with his improvising skill as an actor and makeover as a heart-throb of gen-x.

He’s a lover, a guitarist, a style icon and of course a safe bet as an actor for Bollywood film industry.

With no need to prove himself as an actor [post Omkara], Saif is affording himself the luxury of experimenting with whatever new and exciting comes his way. Though the actor in him might be yearning for applause and appreciations all the time, from outside, he is visibly at ease…

Saif Aaj Kal

Though Saif’s last few movies (Tashan and Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic) failed to make any impact at the box-office, the actor is surely not in the danger zone yet.

Instead his upcoming movies (Love Aaj Kal & Qurbaan) are already making headlines for all the right reasons. Saif no longer needs a carrier [big star] to ride him home. He can carry through a movie on his own as an actor/star and also ensure box-office returns.

Next Change

There is more than one reason to look forward to Saif – Deepika starrer ‘Love Aaj Kal’.

After successfully touching a million hearts with his effortlessly sweet love story ‘Jab We Met’, director Imtiya Ali is here to test his love-potion all over again.

What else can we ask for, Saif and Deepika, two young and happening stars of Bollywood teaming up for an out-and-out love story titled ‘Love Aaj Kal’,  after all its romance that sells in Bollywood.

The on-screen chemistry between Saif and Deepika is already keeping the tabloids busy and Kareena alert.