‘Successful actors can work on their OWN TERMS’

MUMBAI: Fresh off from the success of ‘Sacred Games’, actor Saif Ali Khan is enjoying this phase in his career as he is getting to invest more into his characters.

The actor, who is gearing for the release of Baazaar, believes success affords one the independence to work on one’s own terms. “I am enjoying acting a lot today. I am investing a lot in my character, which I wasn’t doing earlier. I feel like an artiste, I am thinking and trying out new things,” the 38 year old actor said. “As you grow older and become successful, you can afford to work more on your own terms. Whatever I have earned for myself, I am proud of that,” Saif said. In Baazaar, set against the backdrop of the stock market, the actor plays the role of a ruthless moneyminded Gujarati businessman, Shakun Kothari. Saif said his director Gauravv Chawla had already done all the research, leaving him only to work on his character. “The director created the world of Baazaar. There were lots of pages of dialogues, it was tough and then getting the accent was challenging. It required hard work but it was satisfying,” he said. Saif, 48, said there was more fun in playing parts that fall into the grey zone or are amoral.

“It is easier to play the nice guy as there is more audience support. You don’t have to do much, but still this is hard. The bad guy has to be interesting, attractive.” The film faced some delay in its journey to theatres, which left Saif disheartened. It is set to be released on October 26.