Saif Ali Khan, in a candid chat, talks about his upcoming film 'Bullett Raja', work at the age of 40 and more...

Saif Ali Khan will be seen in a new incarnation of an action-hero in his upcoming film, Bullett Raja. At a suburban hotel at his candid best, the actor talks about film and more..

What interested you in doing Bullett Raja?
I think a part of me always wanted to play a mafia-type tough guy, a hitman's role, but it was never finding the right atmosphere and the right movie to do it. I loved Paan Singh Tomar and I like Tigmanshu's films. I wanted to be a part of it and I felt it would be something new. It's a new age cinema that I want to be a part of.

You have done heavy action in this movie?
There's this fad right now of South Indian larger-than-life action, which has it's own place but we wanted to do something different. Also there's a kind of westernised action I have done in Race etc. This is like real and I would like to mention that Parvez and Tabrez (the action directors) have worked really hard. They have a raw style and it's physically demanding. For some of these roles you have to be extremely fit. So I enjoyed doing that but I was very tired by the end of it.


You are in your 40s, so does the body protest at times?
It does and it also hurts, it is fun but 40' is the time you are on top of your game. It's the peak time. If you don't sleep or don't work out and if you drink too much, everything has it's own impact. If you need to jump over a gate, you just can't get out of the bed and do it -- you need to be fit all week. It's dangerous and there is no fun in breaking bones. So lots of salt baths and aches and bruises but lot of fun.

So you did get injured?
Yes, I did constantly, but am a little accident-prone. I had hurt my elbow tricep a little, and it took about three weeks to heal, like I couldn't take my shirt off or any tricep extension was not possible. So it's worth it. I am really looking forward to watch it. Through out the action sequence in the heat and dust of Lucknow, I would think of how I can't wait to go and shoot for Happy Ending because that's a love story based in LA. But actually I also love doing this kind of stuff. I am happy about it that am not just a spoilt brat who wants to hang out in Europe. I am quite happy to go to the heartland and rural and rustic.

Raja Mishra the character is temperamental, do you think in a way you have some similarities with the character you playing?
It wasn't written around me, but unfortunately there are. I think I am getting much better and I think a good diet helps. I think I unfortunately inherited this from my mum. You can't describe me as completely peaceful but I like myself, I think it's normal. I get only irritated if things are really irritating . I do better but I am a little erratic. I am not Sooraj Barjatya's character in real life, as much as I love them (laughs)

Are you going to take a holiday after the release of the movie?
I have lots of work, I am actually going to Europe for a two- day trip, on the day of the release. I have a commitment in Romania, after that I come back and start shooting for Sajid Khan's film. I will go for a holiday after Christmas.


Kareena's movie released last week and your movie is releasing this week. Who was more anxious?
I think first her and then me, but I don't think she was nervous, she kind of knows before hand what to expect. I was a little more anxious for her. The last few days have been a little hectic for us because of promotions and I remember thinking how busy we are. But this doesn't last for too long.