In the glittering world of Bollywood, where A-list stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ranveer Singh are frequently seen lighting up high-profile weddings with their dance moves and performances, one veteran actor has consciously chosen to step back. Saif Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, has opened up about his decision to stay away from the wedding circuit, offering a nuanced perspective on fame, personal boundaries, and the evolving definition of a movie star.
The Royal Disconnect: Why Saif Steps Back
In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Saif Ali Khan clarified that his choice is not a judgment on his peers but a matter of personal comfort and age. "If you see yourself as an entertainer, and if there is no family connection or an aunt to humiliate you for doing it, then it’s fine," he stated frankly. He acknowledged the complex space he navigates, coming from a royal lineage while being a film star. "That dichotomy between being a movie actor and also being a member of that society that’s having the wedding… there is sometimes a disconnect," he explained, adding that a star should ideally maintain a certain distance to preserve their platform.
Saif recalled a formative incident from his younger years that shaped his view. After performing at a wedding in Mumbai, his father's sister, a "regal lady," confronted him backstage. "She came backstage and said, ‘Don’t tell me you are dancing at this wedding.’ So there is a bit of that," he shared, highlighting the social nuances at play.
Not About Money, But About Discernment
When questioned if such performances diminish an actor's value, Saif disagreed. He offered a counterpoint, stating, "No, in fact, it should be great because what shouldn’t happen is you shouldn’t do films for money." He even recounted a positive experience dancing at a wedding in Portugal, appreciating the setting of a wonderful villa. However, he draws a line at similar events in India, feeling the context is different. "There is something about doing it in Haryana that’s a little more public or a little more intense. I just feel you should be discerning about how much of yourself you give out," he reasoned.
Saif is not blind to the appeal, understanding why actors take these lucrative gigs. "It’s great when a billionaire comes to town and he wants 20 actors to perform. We have all done it at Ramesh Bhai’s wedding or somebody and got paid a bomb," he admitted. But for him, that chapter is closed. "Maybe today, it doesn’t fit into things that I am massively comfortable doing, but that’s just me. I’m sure other actors like that," he concluded.
The Erosion of Stardom in the Age of Social Media
Saif Ali Khan extended his reflection to the broader impact of constant visibility on a star's allure. He pointed to social media, particularly Instagram, and the pervasive paparazzi culture as factors that dilute the mystery essential to stardom. "I just feel in today’s time with everything on Instagram, which I think is so dangerous in a sense, that you are diminishing all the time by just being seen here or by doing that," he observed.
He believes that people are no longer surprised to see movie actors, making privacy a valuable currency. Citing the example of Ajay Devgn, he noted, "I am excited to see him on film because the currency has become that little distance." He applied the same logic to paparazzi, feeling that each casual shot diminishes a star's exclusive appeal. "Even the paparazzi—bless them—every time you’re shot by them, I feel you have been diminished because you are seen yet again and not always in the most exciting way," Saif said, rounding off his thoughts on the delicate balance modern celebrities must strike.
