Updated: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 07:45:00 GMT | By India Syndicate Saif Ali Khan turns 44 Saif Ali Khan celebrates his 44th birthday today Getty Images Bollywoods Prince Charming, the debonair Saif Ali Khan, was, in the 90s, seen by many as a spent force. His name repeatedly featured on lists of failed star kids. But in the last decade, he’s fought his way back and won in the end. Saif honed his acting skills, toned his body, and bounced back - to do better roles in better films. Saif Ali Khan is now counted among the most bankable stars in Bollywood. With films like Omkara (2006), Agent Vinod (2012), Race 2 (2013) and Go Goa Gone (2013), he transformed into B-Towns hottest property. However, the Nawab also holds the title of King of Romantic Comedy after starring in hit rom-coms such as Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Hum Tum (2004), Salaam Namaste (2005), and Love Aaj Kal (2009). Saif Ali Khan was born on August 16, 1970. He is the son of late legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and yesteryear actress Sharmila Tagore. While everyone thought he would take after his father and pursue cricket, Saif was busy building Bollywood dreams. Since, he wasnt pressurized to choose a particular career path, the actor decide to gamble with movies. In an interview with Times of India, Saif said, My father used to say a lot of things about a lot of things. Thankfully, most of them have stayed with me. When I was younger I wanted to be a cricketer as well. I used to play cricket in Pataudi. We had a lovely childhood. Saif Ali Khan made his debut in Parampara (1992). Although Aamir Khan took centrestage in the Yash Chopra directorial, the audience took notice of the boyish charm Saif brought to the movie. He played Neelams romantic interest in the film and the pair featured in a popular song Mere Saathiya Mere Saath Chal. Saif’s acting career can be clearly separated into pre- and post-Dil Chahta Hai phases. Before Farhan Akhtars coming-of-age film happened to him, Saif delivered B.O. hits such as Main Khiladi Tu Anadi, Yeh Dillagi and Hum Saath Saath Hain, but never really stole the spotlight. Using Sameer of Dil Chahta Hai as a launchpad, Saif vaulted his Bollywood career to a new level. He also received his second Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. Saif Ali Khan married Amrita Singh in 1991. After thirteen years of marriage and two kids, the couple divorced in 2004. Post-divorce Saif dated Italian hottie Rosa, but later headed for splitsville. On October 16, 2012, he tied the knot with actress Kareena Kapoor. If rumours are anything to go by, Saif has apparently left the kids, Sara and Ibrahim, for Amrita to look after. It was almost a decade into the film industry that Saif delivered his first commercial and critical hit Kya Kehna in 2000. The film stirred gossip about him getting cozy with co-star and good friend Preity Zinta. But the rumours died down soon. The year 2001 was a defining one in Saifs career. He entered Bollywoods A-league with Farhan Akhtars superhit directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai. As the hopelessly romantic Sameer, Saif outshone his co-stars as far as comic timing was concerned. His Woh Ladki Hai Kahan with Sonali Kulkarni and chemistry with Aamir Khan and Akshaye Khanna were the highlights of the movie. Saif started making wise career moves, and reaped the results. In 2003, he made a mark with Kal Ho Naa Ho. In 2004, he appeared in his first villainous role with Ek Hasina Thi, followed by his coming-of-age film, Hum Tum. What cemented Saifs footing in the ever-evolving industry was the National Award for Best Actor for Hum Tum (2004). Apart from Saifs acting skills and the sparkling chemistry he shared with co-star Rani Mukherjee, the film made headlines because of a much talked about kissing scene. By 2004, Saif was already a big star. Along came Parineeta and Salaam Namaste, which furthered his Bollywood career. The movies were received well by critics and the masses. One of the biggest highlights of his career was his role of Langda Tyagi in Vishal Bharadwajs Omkara, for which he won many awards; the film was a huge commercial success as well. Then came the action thriller Race and Imtiaz Alis Love Aaj Kal. Both were major hits. Kurbaan, Aarakshan and Agent Vinod were box-office duds. He was also seen in Go Goa Gone, Bullett Raja and Humshakals. Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.Ks Go Goa Gone brought together Saif and Kunal Khemu for the first time. Kunal has been dating Soha Ali Khan, Saifs younger sister, for a couple of years now and the couple intend to get married soon. His upcoming movies are Happy Ending and Phantom. Saif on romantic comedies: I hope I can do romantic films at the age of 50. There is no age for romance. If the story is nice and the character suits you then why not do it. It is not like you can do only action films at a certain age. As long as you look good doing the part, there should not be any problem. After Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s death, Saif was anointed the 10th Nawab of Pataudi in November, 2011. As many as 52 village heads tied a turban in the pagdi ceremony at the Ibrahim Palace, Haryana. In February 2012, Saif was arrested with two others for assaulting an NRI businessman. He was later released on bail. Saif has been involved in public spats earlier too, including with some photojournalists in Patiala in September 2008. Married twice and having dated quite a few times, Saif Ali Khan talks about love: I guess everybody has the same definition for love. I mean, I am lovey-dovey kinds but also a bit practical. Ive got a lot of love in my life which is a good thing. After dating and living-in with Kareena Kapoor for five long years, Saif married Kareena Kapoor in a private ceremony on October 16, 2012. It might have been a hush-hush wedding for the media, but the couple got royal treatment and had quite an elaborate string of wedding celebrations.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 14:21:04 +0000
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