On a lazy evening, we are at Saif Ali Khan’s office in Bandra. The moment you are seated in the waiting room, the first thing you notice are baby Taimur’s toys that are kept in one corner. The tot also has his own room here that has T-A-I-M-U-R written on the door, which is his play area. A staff member tells us that this is Taimur’s favourite place and he usually comes down in the evening to meet his dad. Once in Saif’s meeting room, we begin our conversation about films, but a major part of it is about being a doting father to his three kids (Sara, Ibrahim and Taimur). Over to him...
Do you discuss everything with your kids?
I have given my kids the freedom and space, which is why I trust them not to misuse it. They (Sara and Ibrahim) are young, but they tell me everything. I’m always in the know of what’s happening in their lives. I don’t know if I can call myself a friend, but we are really close as family and they know they can share anything with me.
How would you describe Sara’s personality?
Sara is a sweet and a bright kid. I don’t know what I should be saying because it seems weird to praise my own daughter. But she’s hardworking, I have noticed that about her.
There’s been some trouble with her debut film...
There’s been a lot of here and there with Sara’s debut but she has worked it through. Now, Karan Johar is taking care of her and she is in the Dharma camp, so she’ll be fine. I would have always liked that because then, it’s a lot more secure and people like Karan know how to take care of you. It’s more than just making a film. She’s following her heart.
Were you surprised when Sara told you that she wanted to act?
I wasn’t shocked when she told me she wanted to become an actress. She seemed interested in cinema, always. I don’t think she likes candy floss stuff. She gravitates towards good stories and has watched a lot of theatre. As long as she knows what she wants, it’s fine.
Has Ibrahim, too, expressed interest in films?
I’ll be more than happy if Ibrahim, too, wants to join the film industry. Like I told Sara, I will advise him the same — to be really hardworking and focused. He’s extremely young right now. Let him finish university and then, we will see. He is very well behaved. He judges Sara a lot when she puts up pictures on Instagram. He’s like ‘don’t put this up’. He’s 17 and he is quite interested in sports.
Your youngest kid, Taimur, is the apple of everyone’s eye...
I think the whole country loves Taimur (smiles). He’s a great energy to have around you. He has quite a happening social life, too. Right now, he is not even home, he’s gone for his evening time out with friends! He’s very busy (laughs).
Do you get to spend more time with Taimur than you did with Sara or Ibrahim when they were growing up?
Actually, when Sara was born, I had a pretty phenomenal career low, so I had lots of time and I was around her quite a lot. I didn’t even miss work or crib about not having it, because all that time was spent with her. With Taimur, yes, we balance it out and I try to make sure we spend some time with each other regularly. I tried to do that with both my other kids as well. For example, Taimur wakes up at 7.30 am, I am up by 9 am. He comes, takes the torch by my bed and puts it in his mouth like the doctor. He keeps doing things like that. He likes to see the moon, which is nice. He watches it before he goes to sleep every day. He loves nature and is quite outdoorsy. He imitates us doing yoga by making some painful noises which obviously, I’m making while I’m stretching. He does a good side bend and falls over.
With so much paparazzi around, are you also concerned about Taimur?
I don’t have a problem with the photographers because they are just clicking his pictures. Although it’s a bit intrusive, no movie star has a privilege of being extremely private. You might be looking at the Taj Mahal and people will start clicking your pictures. You try to be normal and then everyone takes your picture. That’s mildly bothersome. But I just think he has to get used to that, because, in the end, they are just clicking a few photographs.
