Saif Ali Khan reflects on 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Omkara' as films mark milestone anniversaries

Indian actor recalls learning live sound on 'Dil Chahta Hai' and embracing creative freedom while filming 'Omkara'

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PHOTO: Screengrab

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Saif Ali Khan has reflected on the vastly different filmmaking experiences behind Dil Chahta Hai and Omkara as the two acclaimed films celebrate more than two decades since their releases.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Indian actor looked back on the milestone projects, sharing behind-the-scenes memories from the films that helped shape his 33-year career.

Speaking about Dil Chahta Hai, Khan said the 2001 coming-of-age drama introduced him to an entirely new style of filmmaking, defined by discipline and meticulous attention to detail. "Almost every technical aspect was new and exciting," he said.

One memory that has stayed with him was the cast's environmentally conscious approach while filming in Goa.

"We shot in Goa, and we were very civic-minded, I remember that. I remember a memo about the volleyball sequence saying, 'Please leave the beach slightly cleaner than you found it.' So, we all picked up garbage that wasn't even ours and put it in a bin. People were really impressed. That attitude—to filmmaking and to life—was new."

Khan also recalled working with live sound for the first time, describing it as a pivotal learning experience.

"One of the earliest memories was Farhan Akhtar telling us that it would be live sound and how to act with it. He said things like, 'When you swallow the water, I can hear it. You can't do these things in dub, so take your time and figure out how to use your voice.' It was the first time the discipline of voice acting entered my work."

By contrast, Khan said Omkara offered him far greater creative freedom.

"Omkara was a very different kind of experience, but just as exciting. Vishal Bhardwaj brought together commercial mainstream actors as well as [National School of Drama] NSD-trained actors who probably wouldn't have shared the same cinematic universe otherwise."

He praised the collaborative atmosphere on set, saying it encouraged artistic exchange and experimentation.

"There was a creative crossover and learning happening. And getting to speak a new language, to dress up as someone so different, was really liberating. It kind of set a template for other mainstream actors too, perhaps."

One of his most memorable recollections involved a suggestion from Bhardwaj to perform a key monologue unclothed.

"I have a very long dialogue in front of a mirror, where my character was speaking to his own reflection about his plans for revenge. I remember Vishal ji asked, 'Would you mind doing it naked?' It was exciting."

Laughing, Khan added: "I remember saying, 'If you direct me naked, I'll do it,' and he said, 'No.' So that was funny, even though now when I look back, maybe I should have done it."

Reflecting on the film industry today, Khan said his own approach to choosing projects has changed little, but audiences have become more receptive to original storytelling.

"I don't know what the priority is, you know. There's a certain freedom and luxury now. But I've also noticed that people are more excited or interested in seeing something that is passionately made and is a little different," he concluded.