Saif Ali Khan on working with Amitabh Bachchan: 'Thank God I had prepared'
Synopsis
Saif Ali Khan's candid KBC anecdote — that Amitabh Bachchan unexpectedly asked him to deliver his full dialogue on set during Eklavya — is a rare glimpse into the working methods of Hindi cinema's biggest star. With Haiwaan releasing on 11 September, the story doubles as a reminder of how high the bar is when you share a frame with Bachchan.
Key Takeaways
Saif Ali Khan recalled feeling nervous while working with Amitabh Bachchan for the first time on Eklavya: The Royal Guard ( 2007 ).
Bachchan unexpectedly asked Saif to deliver his full lengthy dialogue as a cue on set, prompting Saif to say 'Thank God I had prepared.' The anecdote was shared on Kaun Banega Crorepati , where Saif appeared alongside Akshay Kumar to promote Haiwaan .
Haiwaan , directed by Priyadarshan , releases on 11 September and marks Saif and Akshay's reunion after 18 years .
In Haiwaan , Saif plays a visually challenged character — one of the more demanding roles of his recent career.
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has opened up about the nerves he felt the first time he shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, revealing that thorough preparation saved him during a critical moment on set. The candid admission came during his appearance on the upcoming episode of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, where he joins co-star Akshay Kumar to promote their forthcoming film Haiwaan.
The Eklavya Moment That Stayed With Him
Saif traced the memory back to Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 2007 period drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard, his first on-screen collaboration with Bachchan. The film, set against the backdrop of a royal family in Rajasthan, starred Amitabh Bachchan in the titular role alongside Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Sharmila Tagore, Boman Irani, Raima Sen, Jackie Shroff, and Jimmy Sheirgill. It was produced under the Vinod Chopra Films banner.
Recounting the experience, Saif described a scene where he had to deliver lengthy dialogues. 'I had long dialogues, so I was learning them. The next day, when it was Amit ji's scene, he said, 'Saif, just give me the cue.' Then he asked me to say the entire dialogue, and I thought, 'Thank God I had prepared,'' Khan recalled.
Why the Anecdote Resonates
The story offers a rare window into the working dynamic of one of Hindi cinema's most revered actors. Bachchan's method — calling for a full dialogue run-through without warning — is a well-documented on-set practice, and for a relatively younger actor stepping into an ensemble of that stature, the pressure was evidently real. Notably, Eklavya: The Royal Guard was one of the more ambitious ensemble productions of its era, combining a prestige director, a legendary lead, and a story rooted in royal duty and dynastic conflict.
Haiwaan: The Reunion After 18 Years
Saif's KBC appearance is timed to the promotions of Haiwaan, releasing on 11 September. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film marks Saif's first collaboration with the filmmaker and his reunion with Akshay Kumar after 18 years. In the film, Saif essays a visually challenged character — a demanding role that adds a distinct dimension to his recent body of work.
What to Watch
The full episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati featuring Saif and Akshay is expected to air shortly ahead of Haiwaan's theatrical release on 11 September. Given the film's high-profile pairing and Priyadarshan's track record, audience and trade attention will be on its opening weekend performance.
Point of View
But it also underscores something the film industry rarely admits: even established stars are rattled by Bachchan on set. Saif was not a newcomer in 2007 — he had already won a National Award — yet the dynamic was unmistakably hierarchical. That the story resurfaces now, during Haiwaan promotions, is smart PR: it humanises Saif while keeping Bachchan's name in the headline. The more interesting question is whether Haiwaan, a reunion of Saif and Akshay after 18 years under a director known for broad commercial entertainers, can cut through in a market that has grown considerably more fragmented since their last pairing.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Saif Ali Khan first work with Amitabh Bachchan?
Saif Ali Khan first worked with Amitabh Bachchan in the 2007 period drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film featured an ensemble cast set against the backdrop of a royal family in Rajasthan.
What did Saif Ali Khan say about working with Amitabh Bachchan on Eklavya?
Saif recalled that Bachchan unexpectedly asked him to deliver his full lengthy dialogue as a cue on set, saying 'Thank God I had prepared.' He admitted he was nervous sharing screen space with the legendary actor.
What is Haiwaan and when does it release?
Haiwaan is an upcoming Bollywood film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. It releases on 11 September and marks the two actors' reunion after 18 years, with Saif playing a visually challenged character.
Where did Saif Ali Khan share the Amitabh Bachchan anecdote?
Saif shared the anecdote during his appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati, where he joined Akshay Kumar to promote their film Haiwaan ahead of its 11 September release.
Who else was in the cast of Eklavya: The Royal Guard?
Eklavya: The Royal Guard starred Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role alongside Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Sharmila Tagore, Boman Irani, Raima Sen, Jackie Shroff, and Jimmy Sheirgill. It was produced under the Vinod Chopra Films banner.
