‘I feel wiser and a little enlightened’ says Saif Ali Khan on CNN’s Talk Asia

This month on ‘Talk Asia’, CNN meets Bollywood’s top actor, Saif Ali Khan. In an honest yet endearing discussion with CNN’s Anna Coren in Mumbai, the 48-year-old actor opens up about his 25-year old Bollywood career, exploring newer platforms like Netflix and raising his son Taimur in the media spotlight with his Bollywood superstar wife Kareena Kapoor.

Khan also speaks about his relationship with his late father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his thoughts on inter-faith marriage in today’s day and age. He vividly reminisces about his growing up years where he describes himself as “unpredictable, rebellious and non-traditional”

Key quotes from the interview include:

On his memories of his father, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan:

‘’I imagine very often you’ll find famous superstars who mean a lot of things to other people, sometimes mean less to their own children, because it’s hard to balance. But he was everything to us and he’s really one of the most ultimate people I have met.’’

On growing up in Bollywood:

‘’There was a time as a kid I was a bit rebellious and unpredictable. But now, everything has settled down so well and I feel wiser and a little enlightened. I think maybe it comes from the reading or thinking, or endless hours sitting around waiting for a shot and contemplating stuff. It has led to a certain amount of comfort and understanding and peace.’’

On his son, Taimur, with actress and wife Kareena Kapoor:

‘’Our job is to keep him balanced. I think Indian parents like us, like my parents, have a slightly tough time trying to put good moral values and basic family values into kids who grow up with too much attention. And it is possible. So, we hope that he’s going to grow up fine and we’re very conscious of it.’’

‘Talk Asia’ is produced by CNN Vision, the global creative production powerhouse of CNN International, which brings the world’s breath-taking diversity into cinematic focus, telling stories that inspire audiences around the world.