It’s a Thursday afternoon at 38 Manhattan in Mumbai, a venue that has hosted countless sangeets and which, at last, is the site of a truly important occasion: my first conversation with actor Saif Ali Khan.
During the briefest of interactions, I was happy to find that the Saif I had seen on screen was not some sort of persona but a clear extension of what stood before me. His mannerisms—sticking out his tongue when he errs or pumping his fist and beaming once he gets it right—hark back to the young man from his 2000s filmography. His Nawab-like air while describing a collection of Japanese ghost stories he’s reading is only improved with the addition of a Bebo-fied emphasis: “It’s fab!”
In the 10 or so minutes I spent with him, these seemingly disparate facets of his personality each made an appearance. But I suppose that only makes sense. The actor has perfected the art of duality, a modern man rooted in the classic. This particular evening, he had paired his suede overshirt with a cravat, and the indoor sunglasses on his face with a Rotoris Manifesta on his wrist. Scroll below for the whole interview:
We’re here for Rotoris, of course, so tell us about about what’s on your wrist? What’s your favourite detail?
I'm wearing the Rotoris Manifesta. It’s got a beautiful mother-of-pearl face and an open heart. It is called the Manifesta because it’s got this beautiful stone inside, which is definitely my favourite part.
Of all the best dressed characters you’ve played, did any of them wear a watch you’d have liked to steal?
I did steal one! It was a character I played in Cocktail (2012).
What is one thing that’s never a waste of time?
Reading to your children.
What’s the best waste of time?
I like cooking in the kitchen, with the kids around, and my wife, and some music playing.
Any favourite recipes lately?
So many, so many. A nice biryani in Indian food, or a simple pasta. Or stir-fried stuff, which is probably the fastest.
What are you watching these days?
I’m watching the new Cape Fear on Apple TV.
What are you reading?
I’m reading a collection of Japanese ghost stories by Lafcadio Hearn, who is an amazing writer. They’re kind of Japanese folk ghost stories, which are fab!
Do you tend to dog-ear your books?
Well, that depends on the quality of the book. I wouldn’t dare on a nice hard-back or something of any kind of value. But if it’s a paperback, I’m all for bashing that up. I like folding that and twisting it around. It should look well-read. You shouldn’t read too beautiful a book, though. It’s nice to collect, but if you read it enough, it starts falling apart.
There’s lots of discussion about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ taste. What’s your advice for people trying to develop their taste?
I don’t think you should bother! Have bad taste, go on, be loud—who cares? Go for it, express yourself, you know. Have fun.
In your opinion, who has the best taste out there?
That’s really hard to say. I thought my mum was really tasteful. It’s hard to take a name. I’ll tell you! A friend of my mum’s in Calcutta called Sunita Kumar; she has the most amazing taste, particularly in interiors and homes. That generation is also generally very stylish, I think.
Smart watches—good or bad?
Why not? Great! Would I wear one all the time? No. I think a watch should somewhere be something that really celebrates the art of telling time. And that could be a smart watch, but something like this Manifesta I have on says more, I feel.
Ankle socks—good or bad?
The way I see it, no socks or long socks but not socks that are halfway there. When you sit down you can see your bare calf—you shouldn’t do that.
A movie that’s so bad it’s good.
There is a film called Mortdecai (2005) with Johnny Depp that I thought was amazing, but apparently it’s a huge disaster. Nobody else thinks it’s funny. I think it’s amazing.
