Phantom movie proved to be a hard-earned blessing for Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. However, the movie bombed at the box office, despite creating quite a stir across the border in Pakistan. Saif gave some controversial statements and went to the length to declare that he has lost ‘faith’ in Pakistan. In a recent interview he has changed his stance from aggressive to bit more soft and clarifying.
Saif stated that he had collaborated with Pakistani artists before, especially with Fakhr-e-Alam. He further added that he had a lot of respect for the country’s people and their artists.
“I never meant to upset the sentiments of the Pakistani people and artistes, who I wish the very best for always. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come there on shows and worked with Pakistani musicians and artistes in our production. Neither did I mean to insult the censor board. I have repeatedly said that they must have their own issues and pressures and laws but no one has noticed these comments of mine. I have worked with Fakhr-e-Alam on shows he was hosting in Pakistan and I thought we got along very well. I am a well wisher of his.”
He also clarified his statement about losing his faith in Pakistan.
“First of all I’m nobody to say that I have faith or don’t have faith in a country in general. My comments were made purely in terms of censorship. At that point we were discussing things about the film being banned before the censor board saw it. So my comment was purely in light of that. I’ve made 50 other comments in my own way trying to support our relationship with Pakistan,” he said.
The Bollywood star has also said that he has given due respect to Pakistani army and agents in his movies like Agent Vinod and Phantom.
“Whenever we have presented Pakistani soldiers or even ISI agents in our films they have been portrayed as strong characters.”
The star wondered how he got tangled in this whole situation and said that he wanted to make films like Race and earn money at the box office, rather than ‘break hearts’.
“I love my family in Pakistan and I love so many things about Pakistan. I am not a very political person or a judgmental one. I am an actor and an artist. I’m still trying to figure out how I got sucked into this .I tell you what: Indo-Pak subjects have been done to death! Total fatigue and boredom is on the cards if we don’t stop! I for one would much rather release Race like we did and break records rather than break hearts and cause stress to us all.”