"Kareena's mom (Babita) and I constantly message one another. I'm as much in touch with her as I am with my own mom. I've met Kareena's dad a few times. And we get along fine, " Saif, who is currently busy with his home production, told on phone from San Francisco.
"I've been a part of their family functions many times. I feel very close to her family. Whenever she's at a family function, I try to be part of it, " he said.
Saif says both Kareena and he have learnt to be discreet.
"We've learnt to be careful in our public utterances. As a celebrity one has to be careful. One can't sit around being offended by the public attention."
Excerpts from an interview:
There're rumours in Mumbai that you and Deepika Padukone just can't get along. That you had a showdown with her when you were shooting with her for Imtiaz Ali's film in London?
This is utter rubbish. I can't believe people are saying such things. There isn't an ounce of truth in this. Deepika is a thorough professional. During the time we shot together in London I found her to be very hardworking and focused on her work. Beyond that I don't know her at all.
In a way London is your home, right?
Now I'm shooting with Imtiaz in San Francisco. Yes, London is a second home. But it's annoying to be working there. I don't get to socialize. If I'm lucky I get to catch a late dinner. Then I've to sleep because I've to be up for work early next morning.
How's your film with Imtiaz Ali progressing?
We're about thirty percent done. It's extremely different and real and reflective of today's relationship. It's a film contemporary film.
What's the film called?
Nothing yet. We hope to get a title soon. Any suggestions?
According to a section of the press it's called Elastic?
What???? Why would I call my film that? Hopefully we'll have a title before long.I know what we went through to find a name for my last release Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
It's being said that Kareena's parents don't approve of you.
That's absolute rubbish. Kareena's mom and I constantly message one another. I'm as much in touch with her as I'm with my own mom. I've met Kareena's dad a few times. And we get along fine. I've been a part of their family functions many times. I feel very close to her family. Whenever she's at a family function I try to be part of it.
How do you keep these family functions private?
Both Kareena and I have learnt to be discreet. We've learnt to be careful in our public utterances. As a celebrity one has to be careful. One can't sit around being offended by the public attention.
Why did you do so much publicity for Race and so little for Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic?
Not intentional. I was around in India to promote Race. I guess people go by the vibe of the movie. Some films seem to be more exciting than others irrespective of who stars of them. Would I watch Thoda Pyaar...?
No I prefer American films. I don't see that many Hindi films. So my choices are based on what people would like to see and what I'd like to do as my job.
So you stand by Thoda Pyaar?
I liked the idea of Thoda Pyaar...It's a split-second decision whether audiences would like to watch a film or not. The choice of films are like an investment.
At the time I signed Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic they'd both be considered blue-chip ideas. Which fool wouldn't do such films? Some things work some don't.
You've got to be a man and accept the defeat on the chin and not blame the director, wipe the blood off the nose and move on to the next one. It's still been a god year for me. Race is superhit. Everyone goes wrong.
You still maintain there's no production house like Yashraj?
At a time when other producers didn't know what I was capable of, Yashraj believed in me. I owe the start of my career as a leading man to Yashraj. As a producer I've been hugely influenced by Yashraj.
How about blogging?
Not my scene, yaar. It's too much of an open forum. At the moment it's too time-consuming. I'd rather use the time for other activities.