Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 23, 2026)

Saif Ali Khan teams up with Priyadarshan for the first time in Haiwaan, and the actor finds an interesting similarity between the director and his late father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. “Priyadarshan reminds me of my dad. Both were cricketers, and both lost one eye but have been great in their professional space,” he says.

Pataudi played for India (1961-1975) and lost sight in one eye after a car crash in 1961. Meanwhile, Priyadarshan played competitive cricket in school and college before suffering an eye injury in the 1980s.

In the Akshay Kumar co-starrer, Saif plays a visually impaired musician and martial arts coach. All praise for Priyadarshan, Saif adds, “He is like Clint Eastwood, senior and calm. He gives you just one take, so you have to make quick decisions as an actor.”'

Though Saif Ali Khan, 56, isn’t on social media, his candid videos and old interviews on the internet continue to make him a Gen Z favourite. One such clip had fans wondering if the actor was seeking his own blessings at a film premiere. Laughing off the incident, Saif explains, “It was a huge poster of myself, so I was just wishing the film and me good luck. I am childlike and a little mad.”

He adds, “I’ve been in the profession for 35 years, so I was a very different person at 21-22, when I made statements that are going viral now.”

The actor says he has been trying to stay present and live each moment fully. When asked if this perspective was shaped by the 2025 home invasion and stabbing incident, Saif says, “That could be true, but it also comes with age.” Despite the incident, and reports that he had hired high-profile security following the mishappening, Saif insists he remains the same carefree person. “I’m very lucky; that incident was quite close,” he says, adding, “I’ve never liked security, but sometimes it’s necessary.”

Speaking about his kids, Saif is quick to point out just how different each of their personalities is. While actors Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, whom he shares with ex-wife actor Amrita Singh, are older; Taimur and Jeh, whom he shares with wife, actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, have grown up in the spotlight, with the internet following their every move.

“All four kids have very different personalities. Of course Sara and Ibrahim are older, and then there are these two. Taimur seems quiet, but not necessarily is, but I’m aware the internet is full of jokes about Jeh, the firecracker younger brother. We are just very blessed to have all this,” he shares.

Saif, Akshay’s Brotherly Bond
Saif reunites with Akshay Kumar for Haiwaan, which marks their seventh film together. Reflecting on their collaboration, Saif says, “He played my elder brother in our first movie together, Yeh Dillagi (1994), and that set the tone for our relationship. We became good friends.” Recalling a funny incident from the film’s shoot in Shimla, the actor shares, “His spotboy would sing songs from Khiladi (1992) at 6am outside my room just to annoy me.” With Haiwaan, he feels Akshay playing the villain “elevated the project”.

Kareena not pregnant, clarifies Saif’s sister
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan found herself at the centre of pregnancy rumours after being spotted in Mumbai on Friday. As the speculation snowballed, her sister-in-law, fashion designer Saba Pataudi, stepped in to set the record straight. She took to Instagram Stories to share a long note (inset above), blaming the rumours on “a bad angle”. She added, “Some things are left private. No speculation needed.”