Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, May 19: Actor Saif Ali Khan has opened up about his decision to step away from film production, saying the role of a producer can often become a “thankless job” despite being creatively satisfying.
Saif, who launched his production banner Illuminati Films in 2009, produced several notable films including Love Aaj Kal, Agent Vinod, Cocktail, Go Goa Gone and Happy Ending before eventually winding up the company.
In an interview with SCREEN, Saif said he enjoyed the creative aspects of filmmaking such as discussing ideas, sound and visual design, but admitted that production also came with major challenges.
“I think it can be an extremely thankless job. It’s very creative and I enjoy discussing ideas and the look and sound of films. But it can also become a massive pain,” Saif said.
The actor credited much of Illuminati Films’ successful run to his collaboration with distributor Eros International and producer Dinesh Vijan, who later went on to establish Maddock Films as one of Bollywood’s leading production houses.
“Things move, people move. Dinesh has become a wonderful producer and that’s great. We had our time and did extremely well. A lot of it had to do with what Eros was doing then. Some things are meant to last however long they do,” he added.
Dinesh Vijan, who began his career co-producing films under Illuminati Films, has since produced several successful projects through Maddock Films, including Hindi Medium, Luka Chuppi, Bala, Mimi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and the popular horror-comedy franchise featuring Stree, Bhediya and Munjya.
Vijan has also revisited some of the earlier collaborations with Saif, producing Love Aaj Kal (2020) featuring Sara Ali Khan and the upcoming Cocktail 2 starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna.
Saif was last seen in Pulkit’s crime drama Kartavya on Netflix India, produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.
Speaking about the production house, Saif praised Shah Rukh Khan’s approach to cinema and filmmaking.
“He hasn’t imposed his presence as a producer on the film. Some producers give the project its own space and identity. The subjects Red Chillies chooses and the people they bring together are very interesting. You can feel Shah Rukh’s love for cinema in the kind of productions they support,” Saif said.
Founded by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan in 2002, Red Chillies Entertainment has backed several films and streaming projects in recent years, including Class of ’83, Bob Biswas, Darlings, Bhakshak and Kartavya.