‘Haiwaan’ director Priyadarshan reveals Saif Ali Khan almost starred in ‘Garam Masala’; recalls wanting to meet Tiger Pataudi |

Priyadarshan recalled how Saif Ali Khan nearly became part of ‘Garam Masala’. The filmmaker also shared an interesting story about his first meeting with Saif Ali Khan. Their conversation, however, was not initially about cinema. Priyadarshan was more interested in meeting Saif Ali Khan’s father, legendary cricketer Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. The director recently opened up about his long association with Saif Ali Khan. He also spoke about his admiration for Tiger Pataudi. Priyadarshan’s memories of the former Indian cricket captain eventually became a recurring topic during the making of ‘Haiwaan’.

Saif Ali Khan could have starred in ‘Garam Masala’

Priyadarshan revealed that Saif Ali Khan was once considered for ‘Garam Masala’. The director had met the actor with the intention of narrating the story. However, the film’s screenplay was not completed in time.“I had gone to meet Saif to narrate the story of Garam Masala,” he told News 18. Writer Neeraj Vora was still working on the complete script at the time. Saif Ali Khan waited for three days. The screenplay was still not ready. He eventually committed his dates to another project. “He couldn’t do the film. Neeraj (Vora; writer) couldn’t finish writing the entire script. Saif waited for three days, but Neeraj couldn’t take the complete script to him. As a result, he gave the dates to somebody else,” Priyadarshan says. The film eventually went ahead with Akshay Kumar and became one of the popular comedies of its time.

Priyadarshan’s first question to Saif Ali Khan

Priyadarshan’s first meeting with Saif Ali Khan had another memorable detail. The filmmaker was a huge admirer of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. He had followed the cricketer’s career closely. Meeting his son allowed Priyadarshan to ask about him. “The first thing that I told him was, ‘Is your father here? I want to meet him.'” Priyadarshan’s admiration for Tiger Pataudi went back to his own younger days. He remembered watching the former Indian captain play. He also recalled an unsuccessful attempt to meet him.

The cricket memory Priyadarshan still remembers

Priyadarshan recalled seeing Tiger Pataudi during a Ranji Trophy match. The cricketer was representing Hyderabad at the time. “I remember him playing Ranji Trophy at the university stadium,” Priyadarshan remembers fondly. The filmmaker then described how he once tried to find Tiger Pataudi at the stadium. His attempt ended with an injury instead of a meeting. “He was playing for Hyderabad. I wanted to find him and meet him, and I ran with all my might and had a big fall. I got a huge injury and couldn’t meet him. Later, I remember watching him play in Chennai against West Indies. Garfield Sobers’ team was playing at that time. This was the same match where Farokh Engineer scored a hundred. I had just started playing at that time,” he added. Priyadarshan also played competitive cricket during his youth. His sporting ambitions ended after a serious eye injury.

Tiger Pataudi became a topic during ‘Haiwaan’

Priyadarshan and Saif Ali Khan have now finally worked together on ‘Haiwaan’. Their conversations on the sets often returned to Tiger Pataudi. “On the sets, I discussed Tiger Pataudi with Saif a lot. I remember all his scores. I took the book that Saif had signed for me. It was on Tiger Pataudi,” he shared. The filmmaker’s knowledge of Tiger Pataudi’s career helped create a personal connection with Saif Ali Khan. Their discussions also brought back Priyadarshan’s memories of following Indian cricket.

Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar reunite in ‘Haiwaan’

‘Haiwaan’ brings Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar together after 18 years. The two actors previously shared screen space in ‘Tashan’. Saif Ali Khan plays a visually challenged protagonist. ‘Haiwaan’ is scheduled to release theatrically on September 11. It is the remake of Mohanlal starrer ‘Oppam’.