Saif Ali Khan began his film journey in the early 1990s, but it was not until the release of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ in 2001 that his career truly flourished. However, did you know that Saif initially refused to be a part of the film because he was not satisfied with the length of his character? Yes, you read that right!
In a 2001 interview with journalist Nilufer Qureshi, Saif Ali Khan explained his initial reluctance to star in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
He declined the role due to his limited presence in the second half of the film. However, upon Dimple Kapadia‘s suggestion and reassurance from Javed Akhtar, he reconsidered. Despite his concerns, he was pleasantly surprised by the film’s success and realized that the length of his role wasn’t a significant issue.
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Saif Ali Khan reflected on his role in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, acknowledging that the length of a role isn’t crucial. Initially drawn to just two scenes, he realized the impact his character, Sameer, had on the audience. He worked diligently and was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response, likening it to winning an Oscar. The praise, including calls from long-lost co-stars, was deeply gratifying, affirming the value of appreciation for one’s work.
Farhan Akhtar’s decision to record live sound for ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ marked a significant shift in the film industry. Saif Ali Khan initially had doubts about using sync sound and suggested dubbing the film, considering it a common practice in India. However, after experiencing a playback of a take, he was amazed by the results. Even when Aamir Khan asked if he wanted to dub it, Saif declined, realizing they could never replicate the authenticity of live sound.
