I drove a second-hand Ambassador car, says Saif Ali Khan

You come from a royal background, so money must never have been a driving force for you.

Money is a driving force. I don’t want to say this because I know it sounds wrong, but even though I come from a privileged family, we didn’t have as much money as people think we did. There was a lot of property, and it was definitely a privileged life, but it wasn’t like we didn’t have to worry about money. My father was very careful with money, he didn’t give me much pocket money. It’s not like we were handed the family fortune. In fact, I drove a second-hand Ambassador car when I was a teenager. Everyone has these fixed ideas, and I don’t want to argue about it because it sounds stupid. But take it from me, we were brought up to be financially careful. And whatever I have today, I have earned myself, and I am proud of that.

So, coming from a privileged family, what were your dreams when you were younger?
I wanted to improve the quality of my life, I wanted to improve my address, I wanted to live in a nicer area than I did. So I struggled to find myself a nice apartment. Initially, I rented an apartment in Lokhandwala. Now, I have a flat in Bandra. I have invested my money so I feel secure. As you grow older and more successful, you can afford to do more work on your own terms.

Have you imparted this culture of saving to your children as well?
I don’t know how, but Sara is even more careful than me, and credit for that goes to her mum. I am quite bad with my own money, but she is super good; she never asks me for anything.   

Kareena is quite the game changer and a source of inspiration to many aspiring actresses. What do you think of her success?
I like people who wear their success lightly, and I respect her because of that. She has done many things that have earned my respect. But most importantly, she has not really chased this game. Success has come to her, and she deserves it because she is one of the best actresses and she has a great face for cinema. It is in their blood, you see.

Her priorities are right. She enjoys quiet dinners with friends. When she first came to Pataudi, she was so at home in the middle of nowhere. It looked like she belonged there, in the middle of the trees. Her priorities revolve around friends and family — things that are very solid. This is a big bad world, and it is a bit of a game. But if you’ve got that straight, it’s cool.

Sara is all set to make her debut. Are you nervous as her father?
She is great. She asked me once, “It must be difficult being the Nawab of Pataudi and having to dance like a tapori on screen, how do you balance that?” I don’t know the answer to that, but she is bright, down to earth, and humble. She has seen rich and famous people all her life, so she’s not carried away by that. You have to have a little more depth to grab her attention.

Do you think the #MeToo movement will make the industry a better place for the coming generation?
Yes, it will. It’s is a solid cause; this disgusting behaviour can’t go on. You have to have a secure work environment. There are all kinds of people floating around, but they are not condemned for the actions, so you don’t realise how bad they are. If you stop and think about it, it’s disgusting. The point is, a girl has to be safe.

Do you filter your thoughts before you speak?
No, I am such a naive person that I can’t do it. Recently, I even went on Koffee with Karan without a plan. I know that most people go there with an agenda, but not me. I just wanted to have some fun. I spoke about things that will make me look silly, but I did it anyway.