Saif Ali Khan photographed outside a studio in Mumbai.
Mumbai:
He may tackle serious subjects but make no mistake, Kabir Khan's films are laughing all the way to the bank. And while the filmmaker is thrilled with the response to his latest, Phantom, he makes it clear that he isn't making quite as much money as everyone makes him out to be.
"Yes, I'm happy that my films are successful and making money for themselves. But it's not like all the money is coming to my house. A neighbour made me an offer to buy a mall thinking that and I had to explain to him how the film industry works," he told NDTV.
Phantom actor Saif Ali Khan may have plenty to smile about but perhaps a string of less than successful films has made him more circumspect. "We have been doing this from a while. There are a lot of people involved. I want everyone to be happy first, I am pleased and relieved, but I never think that I have been much of a person who jumps up and down," he said.
Saif cautiously admits, though, that people for the most part have appreciated his performance in the film, so the question then is - why so serious? (Also Read: It Was Expected: Saif on Phantom Ban in Pakistan)
"I don't know if I should say this but I was upset with the action in Pakistan and how upset they're getting and I seem to have become the face of "anti-Pakistan feeling." This, I'm a little concerned about. Because my politics is the last thing that should become the question and for sure not against the people of Pakistan, I have absolutely nothing, except goodwill and hope that we manage to fix our problems," Saif said.
While some have been of the opinion that Phantom, at some level, glamourises vigilante justice, Kabir and Saif are quick to clear that up.
Kabir said: "I very strongly need to say that when we do something in the film, it does not mean that we want that carried out. It's just the way. (Like in Bajrangi Bhaijaan) if you find a six-year-old girl, I am not propagating you to go digging under the tunnels and cross the border. I am not. What are we trying to do is, it does in some sense reflect what we all think about."
Of Phantom he said, "Sometimes, we feel something should happen about 26/11 and it reflects what the national consciousness is. Every time there is a terror attack there's is so much of chatter on the road and social platforms and TV debates about it. This is one of the ways we can address the terror attacks and that's what we want to do because something does not happen in reality and we in cinema can take the liberty and do that. It does not mean this is exactly what we want done, but we are just exploring that if something like this happens, then what would happen."
Saif added: "Isn't it like the function of films and plays, also to create scenarios, which actually didn't happen. That's what we studied catharsis is - where you watch it and imagine, what might have happened," he said.
"It's (Phantom) a mission film quite simply. If you take the India and Pakistan element out of it - I didn't want to say this during the promotion - but it's actually a very simplistic mission film. The political element has given it some controversial edge."
Well, considering the collections so far - over Rs 37 crores at last count - mission accomplished.
Phantom also stars Katrina Kaif and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and released on August 28.
Watch:
"Yes, I'm happy that my films are successful and making money for themselves. But it's not like all the money is coming to my house. A neighbour made me an offer to buy a mall thinking that and I had to explain to him how the film industry works," he told NDTV.
Phantom actor Saif Ali Khan may have plenty to smile about but perhaps a string of less than successful films has made him more circumspect. "We have been doing this from a while. There are a lot of people involved. I want everyone to be happy first, I am pleased and relieved, but I never think that I have been much of a person who jumps up and down," he said.
Saif cautiously admits, though, that people for the most part have appreciated his performance in the film, so the question then is - why so serious? (Also Read: It Was Expected: Saif on Phantom Ban in Pakistan)
"I don't know if I should say this but I was upset with the action in Pakistan and how upset they're getting and I seem to have become the face of "anti-Pakistan feeling." This, I'm a little concerned about. Because my politics is the last thing that should become the question and for sure not against the people of Pakistan, I have absolutely nothing, except goodwill and hope that we manage to fix our problems," Saif said.
While some have been of the opinion that Phantom, at some level, glamourises vigilante justice, Kabir and Saif are quick to clear that up.
Kabir said: "I very strongly need to say that when we do something in the film, it does not mean that we want that carried out. It's just the way. (Like in Bajrangi Bhaijaan) if you find a six-year-old girl, I am not propagating you to go digging under the tunnels and cross the border. I am not. What are we trying to do is, it does in some sense reflect what we all think about."
Of Phantom he said, "Sometimes, we feel something should happen about 26/11 and it reflects what the national consciousness is. Every time there is a terror attack there's is so much of chatter on the road and social platforms and TV debates about it. This is one of the ways we can address the terror attacks and that's what we want to do because something does not happen in reality and we in cinema can take the liberty and do that. It does not mean this is exactly what we want done, but we are just exploring that if something like this happens, then what would happen."
Saif added: "Isn't it like the function of films and plays, also to create scenarios, which actually didn't happen. That's what we studied catharsis is - where you watch it and imagine, what might have happened," he said.
"It's (Phantom) a mission film quite simply. If you take the India and Pakistan element out of it - I didn't want to say this during the promotion - but it's actually a very simplistic mission film. The political element has given it some controversial edge."
Well, considering the collections so far - over Rs 37 crores at last count - mission accomplished.
Phantom also stars Katrina Kaif and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and released on August 28.
Watch:
