Saif Ali Khan Reveals A Director Told Him ‘Joote Maarenge Log’, Kartavya Actor Thought He Will Be ‘Out Of Work’

Saif Ali Khan might be a nepo-baby and a successful actor with several awards in his kitty, but the actor’s journey in Bollywood was far from smooth. Despite belonging to the prestigious   family and having industry connections, Saif faced criticism, self-doubt and harsh comments during the early years of his career. The actor recently reflected on the struggles he faced as a newcomer and recalled how a director once warned him that audiences would mock him on screen.   admitted that his biggest fear at the start of his career was becoming a laughing stock and being rejected by viewers.

Recalling his early experiences, Saif shared that a filmmaker once made a humiliating comment about his acting abilities. According to the actor, the director warned him that audiences would throw shoes at the screen after watching his performance. Saif said the remark affected him very deeply and shaped his biggest fear as a newcomer. “When I started work, my main ambition was not to be laughed at. My director had once told me, ‘joote maarenge log,’ and that when the film would be screened at Chandan, they may laugh at me and hate me and I’ll be out of work,” Saif revealed in a chat with News18.

The actor admitted that many newcomers share a similar fear during their first few projects. He explained that before aspiring to become a superstar, most actors simply hope they are not ridiculed by the audience. Saif also revealed how those difficult experiences eventually helped him become more disciplined and serious about his profession. He stated that humility played a major role in shaping his work ethic and made him approach acting with sincerity and dedication. “In fact, after that, I felt a greater sense of responsibility and took things less and less for granted. I don’t think my art and duty towards my profession as an actor has ever been corrupt,” he added.

During the conversation, Saif Ali Khan also opened up about the most bizarre piece of advice he ever received in the industry. The actor revealed that a senior actor once advised him to keep his first marriage hidden from the public. Saif was married to actress Amrita Singh in the early phase of his career. Recalling the incident, the actor admitted he never understood why hiding his marriage was considered necessary.

“I remember that there was a senior actor from a different generation, who told me to not tell anyone that I’m married. I think he was trying to say that it would’ve spoiled my image and fan following,” Saif shared. As per him it was the ‘worst and most bizarre advice’ that someone ever gave him.

On the other hand, the actor also revealed the best professional advice he received from a contemporary colleague. Saif explained that he once asked someone how to express disagreement with another person’s work choices without sounding rude or disrespectful. According to Saif, the advice was simple – instead of directly criticising someone’s decisions, he was advised to phrase it politely and diplomatically. The Kartavya actor recalled being told that rather than saying someone’s choices were wrong, one should simply say that it was ‘unlucky’ for them to do it. Saif admitted that the advice stayed with him.