Saif Ali Khan assumed the honorary title of the 10th Nawab of Pataudi at a ceremony in October 2011
London:
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan says hedoes not believe in titles and is still getting used to beingreferred to as a Nawab.
The 42-year-old actor assumed the honorary title of the10th Nawab of Pataudi at a ceremony in October 2011, followingthe death of his father Mansoor Ali Khan.
"Nawab of Pataudi just reminds me of my father andsomehow does not sound right in reference to me. I do take itseriously but I don't really believe in titles. We are ademocratic country and the time for such titles is gone. Idon't think it suits a film actor," Saif told PTI during avisit to London to promote his next film Race 2.His father, the former cricketer referred to as TigerPataudi, was to have an annual lecture named after him but theBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet toformalise plans around it.
Saif's mother, Sharmila Tagore, had written to BCCIpresident N Srinivasan last November expressing herdispleasure over the reluctance to officially name theIndia-England series after her late husband and the delay ininstituting the Pataudi Memorial Lecture.
"I'm not sure what the BCCI is doing but Lord's(Marylebone Cricket Club) has named the India-England trophyafter my father. They also had an amazing evening at the LongRoom last year to celebrate his life, which he would have beenvery proud of. I think that is enough," Saif said in referenceto the MCC's decision to commission the Pataudi Trophy back in2007 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first-everIndia-England Test series in 1932.
However, the BCCI has maintained the trophy was alreadynamed after Anthony De Mello, the board's first secretary, andcontinues to be called the De Mello Trophy in India.Saif returns as Ranvir Singh in the sequel to his 2008box office hit when Race 2, which also stars John Abraham,Anil Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.
This will be his first release after his wedding withBollywood actress Kareena Kapoor in October last year. Thefilm, described as a revenge drama cum heist thriller, hasbeen directed by Abbas-Mustan.
"Sequels are quite fashionable now and the pressure wason to make this a cooler and better film. The story has aslight thread of the first film but it is not necessary tohave seen Race to enjoy Race 2.
"While playing the same character was mentally easier, itwas physically more demanding as this one has far moreaction. We were on a very Spartan diet and John (Abraham) wasa real influence on us. We worked really hard, which is why Ican now relax and have a beer in London," said the actor.Saif received a special welcome to London from the city'smayor, Boris Johnson.
"I'm thrilled that Saif Ali Khan is coming to London tosupport an eagerly-anticipated Bollywood film. As well asoffering superb production facilities and unbeatablebackdrops, London offers a massive audience for Bollywoodfilms, and I want Indian filmmakers to think of it as theirhome from home," said Johnson, who had met a number offilmmakers during a visit to Mumbai last year to promote thecity as a shooting location.
Film London chief executive Adrian Wootton added, "Indiais a very important, thriving and fertile market and we wantto make sure Indian filmmakers keep coming back to make moremovies here. The city offers tax incentives under theco-production treaty, besides a wide variety of locations.
"We are here to troubleshoot and ensure the most costeffective shooting experience. We have helped block wholeroads in the past for Bollywood dance sequences."Saif, who described the city as his "second home", hasproduced and shot a number of films in London.
The 42-year-old actor assumed the honorary title of the10th Nawab of Pataudi at a ceremony in October 2011, followingthe death of his father Mansoor Ali Khan.
"Nawab of Pataudi just reminds me of my father andsomehow does not sound right in reference to me. I do take itseriously but I don't really believe in titles. We are ademocratic country and the time for such titles is gone. Idon't think it suits a film actor," Saif told PTI during avisit to London to promote his next film Race 2.His father, the former cricketer referred to as TigerPataudi, was to have an annual lecture named after him but theBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet toformalise plans around it.
Saif's mother, Sharmila Tagore, had written to BCCIpresident N Srinivasan last November expressing herdispleasure over the reluctance to officially name theIndia-England series after her late husband and the delay ininstituting the Pataudi Memorial Lecture.
"I'm not sure what the BCCI is doing but Lord's(Marylebone Cricket Club) has named the India-England trophyafter my father. They also had an amazing evening at the LongRoom last year to celebrate his life, which he would have beenvery proud of. I think that is enough," Saif said in referenceto the MCC's decision to commission the Pataudi Trophy back in2007 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first-everIndia-England Test series in 1932.
However, the BCCI has maintained the trophy was alreadynamed after Anthony De Mello, the board's first secretary, andcontinues to be called the De Mello Trophy in India.Saif returns as Ranvir Singh in the sequel to his 2008box office hit when Race 2, which also stars John Abraham,Anil Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.
This will be his first release after his wedding withBollywood actress Kareena Kapoor in October last year. Thefilm, described as a revenge drama cum heist thriller, hasbeen directed by Abbas-Mustan.
"Sequels are quite fashionable now and the pressure wason to make this a cooler and better film. The story has aslight thread of the first film but it is not necessary tohave seen Race to enjoy Race 2.
"While playing the same character was mentally easier, itwas physically more demanding as this one has far moreaction. We were on a very Spartan diet and John (Abraham) wasa real influence on us. We worked really hard, which is why Ican now relax and have a beer in London," said the actor.Saif received a special welcome to London from the city'smayor, Boris Johnson.
"I'm thrilled that Saif Ali Khan is coming to London tosupport an eagerly-anticipated Bollywood film. As well asoffering superb production facilities and unbeatablebackdrops, London offers a massive audience for Bollywoodfilms, and I want Indian filmmakers to think of it as theirhome from home," said Johnson, who had met a number offilmmakers during a visit to Mumbai last year to promote thecity as a shooting location.
Film London chief executive Adrian Wootton added, "Indiais a very important, thriving and fertile market and we wantto make sure Indian filmmakers keep coming back to make moremovies here. The city offers tax incentives under theco-production treaty, besides a wide variety of locations.
"We are here to troubleshoot and ensure the most costeffective shooting experience. We have helped block wholeroads in the past for Bollywood dance sequences."Saif, who described the city as his "second home", hasproduced and shot a number of films in London.
