Saif Ali Khan has adapted to the changing times in a remarkable way. From historical films to thrillers, comedies to romance, you name it and he’s done it. What most people don’t realise is that he’s been doing it for 30 years and is still going strong. Ask how he pulled it off, and Khan, who has meaty projects such as Vikram Vedha and Adipurush in hand at the moment, says, “I’m not particularly hung up on the past or rigid about the way I think and feel about many things. Maybe it’s also the people around me — my family and friends.”

Also, what about the good looks at 51? He laughs, “I have my mum’s (veteran actor Sharmila Tagore) young genes, so it’s a cross between that and a healthy outlook on life. It starts with the thinking and then you are lucky that people treat you as relevant.”

Throughout these three decades, be it his acting debut with Parampara, Aashik Awara (both 1993), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Omkara (2006), Cocktail (2012) or Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020), Khan has always managed to appeal to people across generations. However, he maintains that nothing about his career was planned.

“It’s not something I have thought about — maybe that helps as well — just to do it rather than think about it. I treat what I do with a lot of excitement and newness. I’m excited to be in the job, and I love doing it. And I’m more excited about tomorrow than ever! I think that helps. Somewhere, you have got to be excited about what you’re doing,” concludes the actor.