Saif Ali Khan Explains Why Bollywood Doesn’t Make Movies Like Kal Ho Naa Ho Anymore
Saif Ali Khan has always been an actor willing to take risks, transitioning smoothly from charming romantic leads to gritty, dark antagonists. In a recent exclusive chat with IMDb, he took a trip down memory lane to break down some of his most famous performances, sharing some fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets along the way.
From changing the ending of Love Aaj Kal to a spooky coincidence that led to Omkara, here is what the actor shared about his cinematic journey.
The End of the NRI Wave: Kal Ho Naa Ho
Looking back at the 2003 classic Kal Ho Naa Ho, Saif pointed out how much the Indian film industry has shifted. He noted that the industry does not really make movies like that anymore because filmmakers have transitioned to stories deeply rooted in India.
During the early 2000s, there was a massive wave of films tailored for non-resident Indians. Saif recalled how Shah Rukh Khan was essentially riding that wave on a surfboard. He spoke highly of his co-star, sharing how much he enjoyed swapping energy with him on set and experiencing that level of global stardom. He credited Shah Rukh with taking Indian cinema to respectable international heights.
Pushing for a Happy Ending in Love Aaj Kal
If you loved the heartwarming ending of the 2009 hit Love Aaj Kal, you actually have Saif and producer Dinesh Vijan to thank.
Saif revealed that director Imtiaz Ali initially envisioned a much sadder, bittersweet conclusion. In the original script, when Jai finally returns to Meera, he finds out she is pregnant and realizes he has missed his chance entirely.
Saif and Dinesh were not on board with this tragic turn. They went to Imtiaz’s hotel door in London to pitch a happier ending. While the director resisted for a long time, he eventually agreed they had a point.
Saif also defended the film, calling it slightly underrated and praising Imtiaz’s ability to write realistic, emotionally messy characters who represent how people actually behave when they are in love.
A Spooky Coincidence Before Omkara
One of Saif’s most career-defining roles was Langda Tyagi in Omkara, Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. The story of how he got the part sounds almost like fiction.
Saif recalled sitting with his mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, who suggested he start looking into Shakespearean roles, specifically mentioning Othello. Minutes later, his phone rang. It was Vishal Bhardwaj offering him a role in his new Shakespeare adaptation.
When Saif asked if he should play Othello, Bhardwaj laughed and told him he was simply “too handsome” for the lead role, casting him as the brilliant villain instead.
Stealing the Show in Tanhaji and Stepping into Lead Roles
Saif also discussed his approach to playing the villainous Udaybhan in Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero. Because Ajay Devgn’s title character was written as a quiet, underplayed, and noble hero, Saif realized his antagonist character had to do the heavy dramatic lifting to keep the movie entertaining. He decided to just have fun with the role, which resulted in a highly memorable performance.
He also credited producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra for changing the trajectory of his career before Parineeta. Chopra explicitly told him to stop accepting second-lead roles and to wait for a proper lead offer, promising to bring him one soon. That promise turned into Parineeta, which cemented Saif as a dependable solo lead.
