A self-confessed left-wing non-conformist, Saif Ali Khan almost didn't show up to collect his National Award for Best Actor in Delhi recently, which he bagged for Yash Raj Films' Hum Tum.
The star was in London with his parents, and it was them who urged him not to miss out on his moment of glory.
"I'm glad I made it," sighs Saif, currently in Zurich. "Attending the National Awards function was a memorable experience. I got to be in the same room with actors and filmmakers who are considered way out of my league, as I am supposed to be out of theirs. There was this actress named Tara, who had won the National Award for Best Actress. She's very sweet, sincere and simple.
Saif, Tara win National awards
"There were some funny moments. This television channel asked me about the Best Actor award going to a comic performance for the first time. That was a chintzy remark. Arrey, what has that got to do with anything? Should the award go only to grim performances? I don't know whether to take it as a compliment or not, but I've come to be associated with the lighthearted happy-go-lucky spirit. Even at the National Awards, when I went to collect my prize, someone said, 'I wish Kantabehn was here [referring to the Kantabehn jokes between Saif and Shah Rukh Khan in Kal Ho Naa Ho]. I don't know how to react to such flippant responses to my presence."
He goes on to narrate a priceless situation. "I had this really funny run-in with the maker of this film called Amu [Shonali Bose]. When she asked me if I had watched Amu, I thought she was referring to my mother. Though I found the question strange, I replied politely, 'Amma is in London.' Can you beat that? I loved the experience! And hey, this was the only award function I've attended where I got a cash prize of Rs 10,000!"
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Was he put off by constant questions about his worthiness? "You mean about a comic performance getting the National Award? You know, after a point, I didn't feel like justifying it. It was a bit of a dampener. But I've got to deal with it. I've stopped being apologetic about my performance in Hum Tum. I'm glad it was recognised. I feel commercial films are not recognised enough," Saif says.
The actor will be back in Mumbai after two weeks. His forthcoming films include Siddharth Anand's (Salaam Namaste) next film with Rani Mukerji.
"I'm seriously considering Vishal Bhardawaj's film," Saif adds. "I haven't said yes to Abbas-Mastan's film with Tips yet. I have to sort out some problems with the producer."
