Saif Ali Khan is excited about his new movie, Haiwaan, which is directed by Priyadarshan and also has Akshay Kumar in it.In the film, Saif plays a musician who is visually impaired and also teaches martial arts.He has a personal link between his director, Priyadarshan, and his late father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was known as Tiger Pataudi.Both Priyadarshan and Tiger Pataudi were cricketers who lost an eye but still made a big impact in their fields.
He said, "Both were cricketers and both lost an eye but were great in their professional space." When talking about how Priyadarshan works, Saif mentioned that he is like Clint Eastwood — calm and experienced.He added, "Priyadarshan gives you just one take, so you have to make quick decisions as an actor, and he always finishes the shoot on time every day."
Haiwaan is Saif and Akshay Kumar's seventh film together.
Saif believes that Akshay's role as the villain added more depth to the movie.He said, "Akshay playing the villain elevated the project.It's the first time I'm playing a strong lead role in a film with him." He also remembered their first movie together, Yeh Dillagi, which helped build their friendship.He recalled the 40-day shoot in Shimla and joked about Akshay's spot boy singing Khiladi songs early in the morning outside his room.
Saif mentioned that both Akshay and Priyadarshan consider Haiwaan their best work.
He explained his character, saying, "There's an interesting backstory to the character — his mother wanted him to learn music to keep him from getting bored, and his father made him learn martial arts because he would fall a lot as a child." He added, "I believe this is my best work in a long time, and I can't wait for the audience to see it."
Saif also talked about his viral internet moments and his reputation for being in tune with Gen Z humor.
When asked about a clip where he seemed to be praying to his own poster, he said, "It was a huge poster of myself, so I was just wishing the film and myself good luck.I'm a bit childlike and a little crazy.I've been in this profession for 35 years, so I was a completely different person at 21-22, when I made statements that are now going viral."
He also reflected on living more fully in the present, saying, "That could be true, but it also comes with age," when asked if this realization came after his 2025 home invasion and stabbing incident.
He admitted that although he never liked security, "sometimes it's necessary."
On his birthday, August 16, Saif spent the day in England with close friends and family.
He said, "We celebrated at a close friend's house, where we cooked an Indian meal and had a glass of wine.The kids were playing around and it was a lovely time."
When asked about his four children, Saif said they all have different personalities.
He said, "All four kids have very different personalities.Of course, Sara and Ibrahim are older, and then there are these two.Taimur seems quiet, but he's not necessarily that way.I'm aware the internet is full of jokes about Jeh, the firecracker younger brother.We are just very blessed to have all this."
