A lot of the movies that I do have selfish, flawed characters: Saif Ali Khan

Saif opens up about his equation with Bollywood megastar Salman Khan. PHOTO: SANTABANTA

Rivalry between Bollywood's three big Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir — has become a thing of the past, but there's a younger Khan whose friendship with Salman is still not the same. It's Saif Ali Khan.

While they may still have their differences, Salman did not forget to invite the Phantom actor to a special screening of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

In an interview with Times of India, Saif spoke about how the two actors drifted apart in spite of having worked together in the past. When asked whether he was invited to the special screening because Kareena is in the film, the actor denied the notion.

"I hope not," he answered. "Salman, I know, would not do anything just for the sake of it. I have known him longer than I have known Kareena. So I would hope that our equation is not dependent on her and I felt very nice about it."

Read: Salman carries Kareena's photo in his phone and you won't believe which one it is!

"I have always had the highest respect and love for Salman. I hadn't spoken to him for the longest time and was very happy to hear from him," the actor disclosed.

PHOTO: MAGLOI

The actor thoroughly enjoyed the film, which seems to have left an impact on him because he feels "Salman's character defined what an Indian hero is" as compared to his "selfish, flat roles".

Read: Saif Ali Khan worried as he becomes face of 'anti-Pakistan feeling'

"I loved it. I feel people involved in it are lucky. If you are going to spend time making a movie, it might as well be a movie that relates to the subcontinent and not just cities. A lot of the movies that I do have selfish, flawed characters that relate to a niche audience. Salman's character in Bajrangi Bhaijaan is what an Indian hero is, and this is the kind of movie an Indian hero should do," Saif said, praising the megastar and his film.

He also talked about how heroic Salman's character is in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and the positive impact it has had on India and Pakistan. "It's a hard life for most people and what makes a hero is a guy who has a song on his lips, is kind and selfless, willing to go out of his way to help somebody else," he said.

"It's a huge contribution to the general psyche of the country as it's progressive and talks about not just peace with Pakistan but the treatment of religion even within India. It's done lightly and beautifully and really is a combination of Kabir and Salman's genius of selecting and realising that," the actor added.

Saif and Salman may not be as close as they were in the past but Saif still "looks up to" him. He shares how them drifting apart has not changed that.

PHOTO: MASALA

"He is someone I have known for a very long time and was the No.1 star when I had thought of joining movies. He is someone I just respect and look up to. I will always look up to him for many reasons. Public reasons, private reasons," he said.

Read: I don't behave like a star: Salman Khan

"We have done films and shows together. Over time, there have been some differences that have come up, which him and I best know about and that will always remain between him and I only," said Saif without revealing the reason.

"He is someone I have worked with, spent a lot of time with and he is someone I greatly admire as a brother. And that will never change," he said.

September 18, 2015 at 12:36PM
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune