Saif Ali Khan has finally addressed the nearly 25-year-old interview clip in which he can be heard saying 'Main guitar khelta hoon' — a phrase that has repeatedly gone viral for its literal Hindi rendering of 'I play guitar.' The actor, currently promoting his Netflix crime drama 'Kartavya', called the clip funny and acknowledged there is 'a lot of stuff' in it worth laughing at.

The Viral Clip Explained

The original interview, which aired on Doordarshan nearly 25 years ago, resurfaced periodically on social media over the years. In it, Saif was asked about his hobbies, to which he replied, 'Kaafi cheezon mein interest hain mujhe, main guitar khelta hoon.' The internet has long found amusement in the phrasing, which translates literally as 'I play guitar' but struck audiences as an unusually direct construction in Hindi.

In the same old interview, Saif also compared his favourite actresses — Madhubala and Zeenat Aman — in remarks that have since drawn fresh scrutiny each time the clip resurfaces.

What Saif Said Now

Speaking at a promotional event for 'Kartavya', Saif reacted to being reminded of the clip with characteristic lightness. 'There is a lot of stuff which is illegal now, probably wasn't legal then as well,' he said. When asked whether he had actually seen the viral clip, he confirmed: 'Of course! I have seen that, it's funny, it's very funny. There are all kinds of things in that clip.'

On the comparison between Madhubala and Zeenat Aman, Saif said, 'Yes, with the difference between… I don't know what. It's bizarre' — appearing to acknowledge the oddity of the old remarks without elaborating further.

Co-Stars Weigh In on His Comic Timing

During the same promotional interaction, Saif's 'Kartavya' co-stars Rasika Duggal and Manish Chaudhari were asked whether his on-screen wit carried over to the sets. Duggal was unequivocal: 'All the time! He was having a good time all the time.'

Saif added, 'I don't take myself too seriously. Once you do the scene properly, after that you can have a bit of fun as well.' The remark is consistent with his public persona — self-deprecating, relaxed, and willing to laugh at himself.

On Playing Characters in a Crowded Crime Drama Space

Saif also reflected on the challenge of standing out in an increasingly saturated crime drama genre on streaming platforms. 'For me, I think the idea is to play the person, not just like a cop. So people are obviously different,' he said.

He credited directors and producers with creating distinct visual and tonal environments that differentiate one crime show from another. 'If you are true to yourself, there is nobody like you. So hopefully we all are true to ourselves and bring a little of ourselves to the character,' he concluded.

'Kartavya' is currently streaming on Netflix. Whether the renewed attention around the old Doordarshan clip translates into curiosity about his latest work remains to be seen.