He gave India a chic spy in the form of "Agent Vinod" and went on to introduce the zombie-comedy genre by producing "Go Goa Gone". Actor-producer Saif Ali Khan says he is always on the lookout for good scripts and is "very keen" on looking for something special to make.
The 45-year-old, who turned a producer with "Love Aaj Kal" in 2009, says he is eager to make a film soon.
"We are constantly on the lookout. I am really looking for something special to make right now. I am not being able to find it yet, but looking and looking... very keen," Saif, who co-owns the Illuminati Films production house, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.
What's a good script for the actor?
"It depends on whatever touches you or resonates with you at the time. Sometimes you try things for various reasons. It's just an instinctive kind of a thing," said the actor, who has given back-to-back duds like "Happy Ending", "Humshakals" and "Bullett Raja".
"I'm completely open to anything, even books. Some books have really nice ideas," said Saif, who will be soon seen in Kabir Khan's directorial "Phantom", based on S.Hussain Zaidi's novel "Mumbai Avengers".
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The espionage drama revolves around global terrorism.
"I am playing an ex Army officer... someone who is thrown out of the Army for cowardice. It's a misunderstanding and he lives alone in Kashmir. His life is destroyed and then he gets a chance to win his honour back by going on this suicide mission. He accepts the job but he can't get credit for it. That's why it's called 'Phantom'," he said.
Considering the genre of the film, the audience can expect to see him in an high-on-action avatar.
"The action sequences... they are real and not real. A lot of it has military background ...big machine guns and big shootouts. There's a lot of action in the movie but generally it's quite realistic. There was a lot of physical fitness called for.
"Diet and exercises (were important), but also some kind of training with the weapons like how to shoot them a little more professionally," said the actor, who essayed the role of an Army officer in J.P. Dutta's 2003 film "LOC Kargil".
"Phantom", which will hit the screens on Friday, also required him to have a rugged look, and Saif sported it even during its promotions.
"There are many ways a person can change his or her appearance depending on the role's requirement. But generally speaking, a beard does make you look a bit older. Of course, I will (let go of it). I will be happy to. In fact, I am dying to shave. But they told me not to shave during promotions," said the actor, who has been sporting the bearded look for long.
The movie is interesting not just for Saif but also for his co-star Katrina Kaif, with whom he worked in 2008 suspense thriller "Race".
"It's got a lot of acting and dialogues. I was interested to see that she picked it up. She has developed into a huge star. She works very hard. She is much better (than in 'Race')," he said.
The duo has been spotted promoting the film on the small screen and at various events, but unlike most stars, Saif doesn't rely on the social media to share news with his fans about his projects.
"I just felt that I don't want to share so much of what I am thinking. It's just what I thought when it (social networking sites) got launched. There are many advantages to it like clearing up certain rumours or having some kind of immediate connection with the audience."
"It's just that when I didn't do it in the beginning, I just feel it's silly to do now as a bandwagon thing," he said.
But the "Dil Chahta Hai" actor has not ruled out joining the digital platform.
"I might (join it). I don't know. It's a wonderful thing. It's just something that I haven't done. But also, I find having to apologise for some tweet you post, quite silly. Then where is the freedom?" he added.
(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)