Saif Ali Khan reflects on working with legendary actor-filmmaker Mohanlal in Priyadarshan’s upcoming thriller Haiwaan, calling him unassuming off camera yet meticulous and intensely focused on set. khan admires Mohanlal’s childlike passion for perfection and the effortless shorthand he shares with Priyadarshan. Haiwaan, co-starring Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, releases worldwide on September 11.
After a 33-year career built on remarkable range and sharing the screen with some of the industry's biggest names, Saif Ali Khan still finds himself awestruck in the presence of another actor.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Khan talks about working with legendary actor Mohanlal on the set of his upcoming thriller Haiwaan, his meticulousness and the childlike passion he brings to perfecting his scenes.
Directed by Priyadarshan and co-starring Akshay Kumar, the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on September 11.
“There was an aura around him,” says Khan, describing what it has been like to share the set of Haiwaan with Mohanlal, even for the brief stretch of Mohanlal's cameo. In Khan’s eyes, there is much to admire about the veteran actor, someone with a large-than-life presence whose influence transcends languages, genres and time itself.
“It was interesting because of how unassuming and charming he is, like all superstars can be. But what struck me most, was his meticulous performance,” he says.
Khan describes Mohanlal as someone who carries “a childlike passion for getting it right". He adds that witnessing Mohanlal's relationship with Priyadarshan was also lovely. “They had this shorthand,” he says.
The way Khan describes it, Mohanlal is someone who has mastered the dichotomy between his on and off-camera selves. He is incredibly detailed and focused when the camera rolls, yet humble and easygoing right after it stops.
“He was very supportive, lovely and so unassuming off camera, and so precise and focused the second the camera’s on, which is an amazing trait,” says the actor.
Haiwaan, described as an action thriller, also reunites Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar after 18 years. The duo is best known for team-ups on Main Khiladi Tu Anadi, Aarzoo, Tashan and other films.
Watch the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter India Youtube channel