Kareena need not convert post-marriage: Saif

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From playing lover boys in films like Yeh Dillagi and Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Saif Ali Khan has come a long way. Ahead of the release of Kurbaan, Saif speaks about terrorism and Islam, the film’s central theme. “Not every long-bearded mullah is an evil person,” he says. The actor in conversation with CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand.

Rajeev Masand: As a Muslim what are your concerns when you are offered films whose protagonists are features as Islamic terrorists?

Saif Ali Khan: That it shouldn't be alarmist. People shouldn't stereotype and that the basic impression shouldn't be that the next time you see a woman in a supermarket in America with a Hijab, you think she might be carrying a bomb. The fact of the matter is that in recent times the religion has come under a cloud. Educated people make remarks like 'not every Muslim is a terrorist, but every terrorist is a Muslim' these days.

Naturally there seems to be a lot of grief from the Muslim world, which is being exported, to America and to the West. Religion has been a point of friction, action and violence since the dawn of time and this is the way things are right now. So without being alarmist what Kubaan does is sets a love story in a background of fundamentalist terrorism and tests that relationship, which is what any love story really is. It's a relationship being tested either by family of social disapproval.

While I say that it shouldn’t be alarmist, sometimes when you get into a subject like the world of fundamentalist terrorism, the film becomes anti-terrorist. It's almost like a moral tale of suffering. Even a film like Scarface which glamorises cocaine is actually an anti-drug film if you see.

Rajeev Masand: Films with such themes invariably tend to reiterate too many clichés. Do these stereotypes upset you?

Saif Ali Khan: Yes, not every long-bearded 'mullah' is an evil person. But due to the Taliban and certain factions in the North there are villains who are like that. And if I was making a documentary or Agent Vinod I might have one of these people as my villains. But that is not stereotyping, that is just the way it is. It's like saying a Columbian drug-dealer, which does not mean all Columbians are drug-dealers but if I had to show a drug-dealer I would perhaps show a Columbian. Stereotyping is a human tendency, but whether or not it's undeserved, the voice of moderate Islam needs to be put forward by responsible Muslims. And Muslims need to condemn people like the Taliban and terrorists in general. The most frightening thing about fanatics is that there seems to be no backlash to it.

Rajeev Masand: What did you think of Kabir Khan's New York, which is also a film about a perfectly progressive Muslim and why he turns to terrorism?

Saif Ali Khan: I didn't watch the entire movie, I'm sorry to say. But I thought it was beautifully shot and really well made. But I do agree if the West is torturing someone incessantly this might be the outcome. If I was picked up by an organisation, beaten up and tortured I might want to be destructive towards that organisation. Like there have been films made on women who have been raped and they in turn have taken violent revenge and people have enjoyed that. So I think New York is ultimately a revenge story, it’s a personal story and that is why it works.

Kurbaan is different from New York because it's about a love story that is set against the world. The girl expects heaven and ends up in hell and doesn't know how to get out. So the lovers are torn in that situation. In that sense they are very different movies.

Rajeev Masand: You find it ironic where on one hand Karan Johar is directing a film called My Name Is Khan in which Shah Rukh Khan's character is a man who goes on a rampage to make a point that all Muslims are not terrorists. On the other hand Karan has produced Kurbaan which is another film about Islamic terrorism.

Saif Ali Khan: Yes. So that is great. Like I said you can make a film like Scarface about Columbian terrorism, you can also make a love story about a Columbian couple. The fact that both films are being made underlines the fact that stereotyping is wrong. But there are certain people like this. There must have been a group involved in blowing up the train in the King's Cross in London. There must have been some serious planning going into 9/11 and 26/11. Why not make a film on that world? But by making a film on that world you are not saying that everybody is like that.

I think things need to be discussed. One needs to be a little more careful when it comes to the Middle-East and Islam. Like Salman Rushdie found out that you might find yourself in a lot of trouble if you speak too freely. Art and cinema need to discuss issues. I'm no theologian but Islam is under a cloud. There was a time when we were children and secular India embraced Islam for its food, art and poetry, which have been forgotten.

Rajeev Masand: As a broad-minded Muslim who is well-read and well-travelled, what does your religion mean to you?

Saif Ali Khan: I think a man should be loyal to his house where he was born and I'm born into a Muslim house. And I believe the Arab name for God and not just our God but also the God, the one God is Allah so that is a good thing. I believe it's a religion of submission, purity and peace. When you bow in prayer, it signifies that God is everything and I'm nothing and thank you for giving me everything that I have, which again is a wonderful thing. Beyond that the rules, regulations, any kind of organisation is not something I personally believe in.

I like having my own link with my own god. I don't believe that there is a certain building that holds more sanctity than a bathroom when it comes to me speaking to him. I think it's a beautiful ritual to cleanse yourself. When Muslims pray they ask to be in direct presence of the lord and not sending a message to him. That is why they cover their heads and cleanse themselves a bit like you would before you do something very important. Like we would do that before meeting the Prime Minister, so you do that before meeting someone more senior.

Rajeev Masand: Do you talk to your children about religion?

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Saif Ali Khan: Sometimes yes. There was a time when Sara lost her grandmother so she asked me what that was all about. I wasn't very old, I was around 24 and it was one of the most mature conversations I've ever had to have. She asked if there is a God then why has he taken her, so I had to try and explain that.

Rajeev Masand: As a boyfriend are you conservative about how your girlfriend looks on-screen or in public?

Saif Ali Khan: Not really. But if I found it objectionable then I would probably voice that. I think it is important how one appears in public. There is a difference between looking elegant and sexy. I think what you are trying to ask is if I mind people looking at her. If she is wearing a short skirt, low-cut dress, backless - it's all-fine. But if it's vulgar then I would be embarrassed to be associated. But I would never be in that situation because Kareena doesn't dress like that.

Rajeev Masand: I ask because of the rumours that your parents disapprove of how Kareena dresses or of her sexy image. Any truth to that?

Saif Ali Khan: No not all. In fact my father would be the first person to say ‘you look lovely’. They are '60s parents, they were pretty stylish themselves. My mother would be the last person to be hypocritical. I think the point is if it looks nice and elegant. And the female form covered sometimes is sexier than having all your cards on the table. It's not the question of being conservative. The idea is not to cover you up in a sack and keep you at home. There is a difference between being stylish and vulgar. I mean she would probably object if I walked around without any trousers on. Not that it would be as exciting to people.

Rajeev Masand: Have Kareena and you spoken about her converting to Islam if and when you decide to get married?

Saif Ali Khan: Not really because I would never want her to. That is the trouble with religion really it expects conversion. I don't buy or believe that any more. I think it's good that the government has – unless I'm misinformed about the law – amended it to include it in the Special Marriage Act. If and when we do get married no one has to change his or her religion.

Rajeev Masand: Your family would be comfortable as well if she chose to continue her faith?

Saif Ali Khan: Certainly. And so they should be because it's such a personal thing. I mean if you wanted to take someone's daughter and make him or her into Muslims or say someone wanted to convert me into a Jain, my mother would be worried. You must be loyal to your home.

Rajeev Masand: Have you seen Kurbaan and what do you think of it?

Saif Ali Khan: Yes, I've seen it. I think it's great and brave. It's on the edge. It touches on topics and makes comments. There is a wonderful scene where the Hindu girl's father says, 'let me tell you straight Ehsaan, I never wanted my daughter to marry a Muslim' and I just blink twice at him. But I think the scene is great and I think it's great he says that because everyone thinks that, though we don't say it.

So I think there is a certain amount of honesty, which is coming into cinema, which rightly needs to. In Love Aaj Kal Deepika leaves her husband because she is actually thinking about some other guy rather than doing the morally right thing because she was married. She says ‘no we should get divorced because we are not meant to be’. It worked. Truth works, so I think filmmakers also need to stop shying away from it.

Rajeev Masand: Does it bother you that everyone seems obsessed only about the love scene?

Saif Ali Khan: No, why should it bother me. It's a part of the film and will be an exciting part to sell. So when you think of a poster, you think of a moment. It's a part of the film where he gets shot and has to stitch him up and she does it but the question is why is he not wearing anything? There was a bandage initially, the love making scene is post getting shot and fixed-up, which would happen normally. But they took the picture without the bandage just for some action.

Rajeev Masand: Looking back how do you feel you have done for yourself?

Saif Ali Khan: It's been a fantastic year. Like most people I've gained a lot of wisdom, which I think I gained just five-six years ago. But I have it now, I'm having a good time and I have my hands full. I feel creatively challenged. We can actually make films rather than fret about what is going to happen. We can actually do things and shape our careers. Personally I’m very happy, I think I'm developing in a healthy direction. Professionally, if I can just sort that dam diet out and get into the gym, it will all be great.

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