Bollywood

John was a real influence: Saif Ali Khan

PTI
Mumbai, January 17, 2013

First Published: 18:36 IST(17/1/2013)
Last Updated: 01:07 IST(18/1/2013)

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Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan look hot in a still from the movie Race 2.

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Actor Saif Ali Khan, who will be seen next in Race 2, says he was influenced by actor John Abraham while doing the action scenes in the film. “While playing the same character was mentally easier, it was physically more demanding, as this one has far more action. We were on a very Spartan diet and

John (Abraham) was a real influence on us. We worked really hard, which is why I can now relax and have a beer in London,” says Saif, who will return as Ranvir Singh in the sequel to the 2008 hit — Race.

“Sequels are quite fashionable now and the pressure was on to make this a cooler and better film. The story has a slight thread of the first film but it is not necessary to have seen Race to enjoy Race 2,” he adds.

Though the 42-year-old actor assumed the honourary title of the 10th Nawab of Pataudi at a ceremony in October 2011, following the death of his father Mansoor Ali Khan, he doesn’t really believe in the title. “Nawab of Pataudi just reminds me of my father and somehow does not sound right in reference to me. I do take it seriously, but I don’t really believe in titles. We are a democratic country and the time for such titles is gone. I don’t think it suits a film actor,” says Saif.

His father, the former cricketer, referred to as Tiger Pataudi, was to have an annual lecture named after him, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to formalise plans around it. “I’m not sure what the BCCI is doing, but Lord’s has named the India-England trophy after my father,” says Saif.

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Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the cricket player and last titular Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan, and actress Sharmila Tagore, a great-grandniece of poet Rabindranath Tagore.