Happy to take a backseat in 'Go Goa Gone': Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan says it was a conscious decision to not play the lead in his upcoming home production Go Goa Gone as he was more interested in the project as a producer.

It is for the first time that the actor is not playing the lead in his own production. The zombie comedy revolves around two guys, played by Vir Das and Kunal Khemu. Saif joins them later as Boris, the gun-toting zombie killer.

"I was more interested in this film as a producer than as an actor. Producing is a creative job as well and not every film will have a great role for you though Boris is very entertaining. I look forward to producing many more films where maybe I don't act at all," Saif told PTI over phone from Mumbai.

Produced by Saif's banner Illuminati Films, the film is directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the duo behind critically acclaimed films like '99' and 'Shor... In the City'. 'Go Goa Gone' hits theatres on May 10.

The actor-producer is confident that despite zombies being an alien concept for Indian audiences, the film will work in the comedy format.

"I always thought that the film was very funny. I don't think the concept is very alien and it works really well because it is a comedy. Sometimes if you take chances and try something new, it can be an exciting investment because the rewards can be big," he says.

Saif, 42, will be seen sporting blonde hair and tattoos in the film and the actor says he enjoyed experimenting with his look.

"The look was pretty much there in Raj and DK's script and I just agreed with it. You can get scared to do things which are not necessarily what your image is. But people take it in the right spirit when the intention is to entertain and be fun," says Saif.

The film was given an A-certificate which will restrict below 18 audience from watching it but Saif is not unhappy.

"There is a lot of action, comedy and violence. With the zombie comedy, the idea is to create humour in violence. We have people's heads blowing up so you have to have an A-certificate. I am happy that censor board allowed it." 100 crore has become the new benchmark for success in Bollywood but Saif, who has produced films like 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Agent Vinod' and 'Cocktail' in the past, does not feel threatened by it.

"The issue in India is that you have diverse audience.There are the front-benchers and then there are intelligent audience. To make both happy is the idea but it is not always possible."

"The idea of 100 crore is slightly outdated because the business is growing everyday. 200 crore is really not that much considering the billion people in this country. We would like to make a 200 crore film. I think Indian films should rule the whole Southern Mediterranean belt." Saif has teamed up with Tigmanshu Dhulia for 'Bullet Raja' which will see him returning to a 'desi' avatar after 'Omkara'. He is reuniting with Raj and DK for 'Happy Ending'.

"'Bullet Raja' is based in Lucknow. It is little 'desi' 'Scarface' type mafia story. This year I will finish 'Happy Ending' and then I will do the Sajid Khan movie and then probably start Sajid Nadiadwala's film. I think it is a good idea to do three films a year."