Pinkvilla Exclusive: It's not possible to be in love with two people at the same time - Saif Ali Khan

In a candid interview exclusively to pinkvilla.com, Saif Ali Khan talks to Mauli Singh about his next venture Cocktail, getting hitched with his ladylove Kareena Kapoor and kids.

Did at some point you want Imtiaz Ali to direct Cocktail since it’s his script?

Imtiaz Ali is a free thinking, independent man. I don’t think him being repetitive.Also we didn’t capitalize on our equation with someone.

And how did Homi Adjania come on board?

I have always wanted to work with Homi again after Being Cyrus. I am glad that Dino convinced him to. Interestingly, all three of us interestingly came together with that film. We knew he was a good director but sometimes a bit cynical and hesitant.

What are you?

I am both depending on when you speak with me.

The two girls in the film seem to be loosely based on the popular characters from Archies—Veronica and Betty. Was it done intentionally?

I think there must have been something in the writer’s mind when he named the character Veronica because it’s a stereotype. Betty, Veronica, Rachel, Monika are stereotypes and that is what works. So it’s a huge cliché to have Meera who is the Indian Betty and Veronica who is slightly wild Child. Our Veronica is very rich and wild.

Who is your kind out of the two?

There are two lesser known women-- One is Melody from the Pussycat and the other is a really rich cousin of Veronica who is a red head. I can’t remember her name now.

Between these two?

(Takes a pause) I will probably mistreat Betty eventually (Smiles) and maybe take her for granted.

And I thought only women liked bad men?

Veronica is not bad.

Reportedly, Deepika Padukone was offered both the roles and she chose Veronica.

Yes, apparently. But I think it’s a fair choice. It makes sense to cast a new girl as Meera. Deepika is already played a character called Meera who is a bit reserved. I also feel Veronica’s character needed a more experienced actor.

Was Diana recommended by Imtiaz?

Yes,apparently. (After a pause) No she is the first actor they tested and they liked the audition.

The film talks about being in love with two people at the same time. Is it possible?

I don’t think so. Not if you are defining love the way it should be defined. It's quite a pure and strong emotion. You could be very interested or attracted to in two people at the same time. Or maybe you could be in love with two people. I don’t know. Why not three people? But the way things normally work is that there is more enjoyment in focused things. So normal people only want one thing at a time. If you are watching TV you will get more out of watching one channel, than surfing nonstop.

It’s quite a bold theme.

You are right. It’s quite bold morally but it’s honest. So far it’s been done in a comic way in Bollywood and comedy protects you from serious judgment. While 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' and 'Biwi Number One' is okay because it’s a David Dhawan movie but the films on infidelity generally don’t work.

Kareena and you are the most charming couple in real life but it doesn’t translate onscreen. Why?

When you are involved off-screen there is a fall out. There is too much comfort and familiarity between you, which works against you as an onscreen couple. It doesn’t make for conflicted, charged energy which comes with strangers or people you don’t like much. We have lost out on working with the real actors in each other.

I guess pretending to be attracted to each other is more effective than being attracted to each other.

Everyone is waiting you both to get hitched. Is marriage something that you want to do or is it the right thing to do?

When we do it, it will be because we want to and not because someone else wants us to.

As a brother, would you want Soha to marry first?

Why would I do that? No. she is very happy. Kunal (Khemu) is a great guy. I love both of them together.

What was the idea behind producing Go Goa Gone? Were you trying to help Kunal?

It’s a zombie comedy. I quite like the idea. It’s going to a fun film. Much as I would love to it doesn’t come naturally to mix work with helping family and friends.

I am sure. You didn’t do it for Soha.

Sadly.Maybe I should.

You think you have been able to devote enough time to your children?

I am there for them when they need be. I wish I could be there more. But one of the things with this kind of job is that having to deal with more quality time than quantity which is also something I am alright with. I am quite comfortable with the way things are.

What is your equation with Amrita? Are you in a friendly space?

I am in a space where I don’t want to discuss with the world while they have their morning newspaper.

Reportedly, Sriram Raghavan has said that he would love to make the sequel of Agent Vinod. Are you up for it?

May be at some point maybe we should make a film like that and try and get everything right. Frankly you should only make sequels to films due to popular demand. I don’t think there is a demand for Agent Vinod sequel right now.

Did you try and figure out what went wrong with Agent Vinod?

Its not that it didn’t run at all but it should have run more. If anything I think it’s the budget. Maybe the kind of budget it was, it needed to be a lot more popular. We made quite a western feeling film on a very big budget. We are still very proud of it on production.

Have you put the Taj incident behind you? Is it over for good?

I hope it's over with lesson learnt on my part