Saif Ali Khan is agitated. He has just been in jail, and out on bail, within 24 hours. For no apparent fault of his.
"It happened like this," he recalls. "I had just finished my rehearsals for the MTV awards on Friday afternoon and was driving home when a kid ran across the road. My car skid and hit his foot. I was concerned, and I'm proud to say I did the right thing. I got out, put the kid -- he's 13 and fully aware of his rights -- in my car and drove him to a hospital. At first, we thought all was fine. Later, the doctor detected a broken tibia. Anyway, he was discharged and has gone home. Unfortunately, I was arrested. Apparently, the law of the land demands arrest in any road accident no matter how small. I've been let out on bail."
Saif Ali Khan in road accident, boy hurt
What happened next was a nightmare for the actor. "The kid's uncle jumped into the situation. He got all worked up and demanded compensation. Which is fine. I've paid up Rs 15,000, which covers his medical expenses. My car has been impounded, and the court case may or may not lead to more trouble for me. I'm prepared to face the legal system. But I won't be milked by people outside the court. I'm troubled by the fact that a child is hurt. But it was a very crowded road and such mishaps aren't uncommon. Luckily, no one was hurt seriously. Otherwise, god knows what they'd have done to me."
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He intends to meet the kid's mother and offer help. "But I am getting alarmed by the indications of what they require of me."
Saif is exasperated by his never-ending run-ins with problems. "I've stopped thinking about why it's always me. I just face it. But please, will the electronic media stop making guinea pigs of celebrities? Kuchal dala, drunken and rash driving please! I'm not guilty of any of that. If anyone suggests an out-of-court settlement, I'm going to say, 'Sorry, I've paid for my sin. Legal work is on. If there's a case, so be it.'"
"Don't I make enough news without getting into all this?" asks Saif.
