Saif Ali Khan on how an actor ensures bringing something unique to his every character
Mumbai, May 16
Saif Ali Khan shed light on how an actor ensures bringing out something unique to his every character despite working in the same genre at times.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Saif said that when one is true to themselves, a part of the uniqueness of their personality ends up reflecting in the character as well, making it refreshing.
He was asked, "There are so many crime dramas across platforms. As actors, what efforts do you put in to bring out something more from your side?"
Sharing his views, Saif told IANS, "For me, I think the idea is to play the person, not just like a cop. So people are obviously different."
"If I have to do the same thing again, you know the rooted cop with the dialect, somehow the director creates a different environment, that's where he comes in. The producers also have to figure out how the show is going to look different. It must be difficult because there are a lot of people who like watching crime dramas," he further went on to explain.
"I guess if you are true to yourself, there is nobody like you. So hopefully we all are true to ourselves and bring a little of ourselves to the character", concluded the 'Omkara' actor.
Saif's 'Kartavya' co-star Rasika Dugal echoed the same sentiment, saying, "I feel even if it's the same genre, everybody's script is different, no two scripts are like each other, and there is a new voice telling a new story, and there are new people putting in their new experiences, their own aspirations, their own prejudices into the work. So it turns out to be different every single time."
"So the worry is never that we should try and do something different," the 'Mirzapur' actress concluded.
Talking about "Kartavya", Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director, Original Films, Netflix India, added, "It is rooted and emotionally truthful, while also spanning genres and perspectives. It has the tense unpredictability of a gripping crime thriller, but at its heart it's a deeply human story about a man torn between his duty towards his work, his responsibility towards his family, and the emotional consequences of difficult choices."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I appreciate Saif's honesty here. Crime dramas have become a dime a dozen on OTT, and it's refreshing to hear an actor acknowledge that directors and producers also have to work hard to make each one distinct. It's not just on the actor. Rasika made a great point too about every script having its own voice. 🙌
Saif's approach is solid, but I still feel many actors in similar roles end up sounding the same. Maybe more emphasis on body language and voice modulation? That's what separates a Nawazuddin from the rest. Nonetheless, his take on 'playing the person, not the cop' is gold. 💯
'Kartavya' sounds like a promising show! I love that it's described as 'rooted and emotionally truthful.' Saif and Rasika both seem like actors who choose their projects wisely. It's about time we had more nuanced crime dramas instead of the usual 'goli maar da' stuff. 😂
Saif is correct—authenticity matters. But I wish he'd also talk about how the writing and direction can really elevate a performance. Some of his own films have felt flat because the script was weak, not because he wasn't being true to himself. Still, a thoughtful interview. 👏
Rasika Dugal is such a gem! Her point about no two scripts being the same is what I always think about the OTT boom here. Every story has a different context, even if it's a crime thriller. Looking forward to seeing Saif and Rasika together in 'Kartavya'! 🎬