Saif Ali Khan: I related to Shashi uncle on a different level

Like most of us, Saif Ali Khan was also deeply affected by Shashi Kapoor’s death. The actor, who knew the Indian cinema legend for nearly four decades, says, “Even as a child, the first thing that struck me about Shashi uncle were his good looks. 

Boy, how handsome was he! I also remember watching Manmohan Desai’s Suhaag when I was around nine years old. Though I cannot recall the exact scene, I knew I was disturbed when he was attacked by Amitabh Bachchan with a knife. When I realised it was a fake one, I heaved a sigh of relief.”

He recalls another incident when Shashi was shooting with Sharmila Tagore for Paap Aur Punya. “I was barely three and I had accompanied Amma to the shoot. On the sets, I saw the villain whipping him and no one was coming forward to help him. Every time the whip cracked, I winced. Then, very bravely, I went and bit the villain on his bum. Everyone including Shashi uncle was aghast. Later, he explained to me that everything I saw was make-believe and it was just a film’s shoot. So, there was no reason for me to be angry.”

He still has vivid memories of the late actor visiting the Pataudis at their Carmichael Road residence and recollects their conversations about King Lear. What also impressed the Nawab of Pataudi was the fact that his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was extremely fond of Shashi. “My father had a lot of great friends, but very few from the film industry. However, he liked Shashi uncle a lot. And the feeling was mutual,’’ states Saif.

The actor recalls Shashi borrowing a bandhgala from his father and how it fit him like a glove. Sighing, Saif adds, “So many other memories come flooding in. Shashi uncle had such a warm and charming presence. Unlike other heroes, I related to him on a different level. I enjoyed talking to him.  He would come to dinner and I liked having a drink with him. It wasn’t like that with Amma’s other heroes. With Shashi uncle it was different.’’

He reveals how the legendary actor-producer was very earnest. “One day, he called our landline. And I answered the phone. He asked for my Amma, but I told him that he could leave a message with me. So he said that he had borrowed a lakh of rupees from her and he wanted to return the loan. I was impressed, especially because you do not get too many calls from people who owe you money,’’ reminisces Saif.

Today, he is very close to Shashi’s elder son Kunal. “I have photographs with Kunal and Karan and we meet quite often. Kunal even remembers me being a bit of a terror in my childhood,” he laughs.