Important to experiment for longer, respectable career: Saif Ali Khan
What's the story
Saif Ali Khan believes sticking to one's comfort zone could be tempting, but it's important for an actor to experiment to have a longer and respectable career.
Saif found his groove with 2001's "Dil Chahta Hai" and reinvented himself with "Omkara".
He has now become one of India's first mainstream stars to venture into the digital space, with Netflix Original series "Sacred Games".
Film industry
India has 'quite a mature film industry', says Saif
The actor said the country has "quite a mature film industry", where different types of movies are made and not only "commercial."
"There are people here who do different things, like Varun Dhawan doing 'Badlapur' which I saw recently. That's an interesting choice. It adds to the respect I have for that actor which I assume is the same for everybody," Saif said.
Observation
Way to understand actors is watching their work: Saif
The 47-year-old actor believes good work cannot be done in isolation.
"Watching the work of others is a good way of knowing what's happening around. The way to understand actors is to watch their work. Their work should speak for themselves," Saif said.
Set in modern-day Mumbai, the "Sacred Games" series revolves around a policeman and a criminal overlord.
Netflix Original
About Saif's role in 'Sacred Games'
Saif plays Sartaj Singh, a seasoned and cynical Bombay Police officer, who is summoned by an anonymous tip that promises him an opportunity to capture the powerful Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), the criminal overlord of the G-Company.
As the stakes mount, Sartaj and Gaitonde realize that they are a part of a much larger scenario, which goes beyond the city.
Director
Anurag Kashyap directed 'Sacred Games'
For the actor, the opportunity to be part of the original show came knocking and he could not say no.
"Sacred Games" has been directed by Anurag Kashyap, who helms portions of Nawazuddin, and Vikramaditya Motwane, who has shot with Saif.
Motwane had said he chose to cast Saif because the actor has a sense of vulnerability in him.
Bestselling novel
Netflix Original series is based on bestselling novel 'Sacred Games'
"Some people want to come across as very cool, strong, not say the wrong things. I find people like these, very plastic. As long as directors think this is interesting, I hope they keep finding it so," Saif said.
Sacred Games, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Vikram Chandra, will be available on Netflix in all territories from July 6.