“My fear is that Kurbaan should not be stopped or altered” – Saif Ali Khan [Part 1]

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

November 20, 2009 - 2:10 PM IST

Saif Ali Khan is going through a gamut of emotions. He is satisfied because he has made a good film in Kurbaan, he is nervous because he wishes to see how audiences would react to a violent film like Kurbaan, he is disturbed because of the way some entertainment/news channels have reported about Kurbaan, he is alert because of threats that the film has received around it's publicity material and he is wondering whether first week records actually hold much relevance in today's dynamic business scenario at the box office. In an exclusive two part interview, Joginder Tuteja catches up with the man who is sitting pretty as a producer-actor who has delivered the biggest money spinner this year in the form of Love Aaj Kal and could well replicate the success with Kurbaan.

“My fear is that Kurbaan should not be stopped or altered” – Saif Ali Khan [Part 1]

With the film releasing today, doesn't it become really monotonous to promote it after a point in time?

Oh yes, it certainly does become monotonous. In fact, I am wondering how good an idea it is to be talking about your film 24X7 for weeks at stretch. But then, I guess this seems to be the new way of doing it. Yes, people may be saying the same thing day in and night out but at the end of it, this is all about visibility. Yes, it does become interesting sometime when you promote a film as a part of an event. At least, it makes better sense than indulging into some publicity stunts or other gimmicks. Still, no denying the fact that all of this does become tiring after a while. I guess I should stop talking before people are fed up with my face and voice (laughs).

I am wondering how good an idea it is to be talking about your film 24X7 for weeks at stretch

Not every media channel seems to be talking about just the movie though. Like it or not, the talk does veer towards the poster and the sex angle?

See, if you want to report something then do so but my only request is - 'Do it well'. What I have seen in last few weeks is that there is not much class in some news/entertainment channels. While a few do report well, there are lots of others out there who give out the same information but in a sleazy taste. I don't know, may be there is an audience out there which enjoys such nasty gossips. Maybe people do actually enjoy hearing and seeing mean things about others.

You really sound frustrated...

Yes, I am because, I can slowly see our own television become like American TV. It is so much like bi!@hy TV. For example, the kind of things that I hear where it is stated that Kareena can go to any length to retain her position at the top is taking things a little too far. I don't watch TV much, but when I play it on, I see stuff like this going on and then the very next moment I switch to Discovery channel or cricket. (Laughs) But really, it is so amusing when on news channels; they start showing the past and present of an actor's personal or professional life with that split screen thing and all. It doesn't say much about their class. I don't think doing something like that eventually makes them feel proud.

I can slowly see our own television become like American TV. It is so much like bi!@hy TV

Well, you must certainly be proud of Kurbaan and the way it has created massive buzz en route to its release?

I am completely satisfied for sure. It's all over and the film is really Red Hot. I am not too happy with this entire poster controversy though. There are various aspects to it and I am taking it seriously because I don't want to upset any political party or any section. I have gone through this earlier when I offended some sections of Sikh community in Love Aaj Kal. This is why today, I don't want the film to be stopped or altered. That's my main fear.

But leaving aside this fear factor, don't you feel like retaliating and asking what was so wrong about the publicity material that it deserved such threats?

Ask me! The poster was so tastefully done, it is so sensuous and I don't think there is anything embarrassing about it. Maybe henceforth there should be some censorship for that as well. I am baffled though that how come no one came up with a protest weeks back when the poster was first released? Maybe we could have had this discussion then if only we knew whom to discuss it with. I don't know what the law is but there should be some system in place to guide how a poster is approved for release. There should be a governmental body to decide this so that at least we won't have to redo things in future.

Visit this space tomorrow for the second and concluding part of the interview where Saif talks about the 'A' certificate that the film has been granted, changing business scenario at the box office and how Kurbaan goes beyond his off-screen pairing with Kareena.