From Nawab to Newbie: Saif Ali Khan Recalls Having to Kiss a Producer 10 Times for ₹1,000

In a candid chat, Saif Ali Khan opens up about the struggles of his early acting days — taking odd jobs, bad roles, and even bizarre conditions just to get paid.

Saif Ali Khan, despite his royal lineage and fame today, says his start in Bollywood wasn’t nearly as glamorous. In a recent interview, the actor detailed how his early years were full of small, forgettable roles and financial strain, even though he was the son of legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore.

He explained that though he grew up in privilege, that didn’t translate into easy success. He played many second or third leads and was kept afloat by “a couple of films that were decent.” But for long stretches, his projects were “very bad,” he said — describing the 1990s as his “net-practice era” where he was learning by doing.

One particularly uncomfortable memory stood out: early in his career, he was being paid only ₹1,000 per week by a producer — on the strange condition that every time he collected the money, he had to kiss her on the cheek ten times. He chose not to reveal the producer’s identity but admitted it was one of the most bizarre demands he had faced.

Despite these challenges, Saif says these experiences were part of his schooling — helping him understand the industry, refine his instincts, and build resilience.