‘Pretty little girl': Saif Ali Khan's resurfaced comment on first meeting with Kareena Kapoor stirs buzz online

Economic Times

31-07-2025

Synopsis
A resurfaced video clip featuring Saif Ali Khan recalling his initial encounter with Kareena Kapoor on a game show has ignited controversy. Saif described noticing a young Kareena at Filmistan Studios, sparking unease among viewers due to the age gap.
Agencies Saif and Kareena: A Retrospective Glimpse at a Controversial Moment in a Celebrated Love Story Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan are often seen as one of Bollywood's most admired couples. Over the years, their relationship has blossomed both in public and private, with fans appreciating their chemistry on-screen and their strong bond off it. But a resurfaced video clip from a game show has sparked renewed conversations about their early encounters and the fine line between nostalgia and problematic perspectives.In an old episode of the game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?, hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan recalled a moment from the start of his acting journey. During this segment, Saif shared a personal memory that predated his romantic relationship with Kareena. He described an early encounter at Filmistan Studios where he had noticed Kareena Kapoor sitting silently outside a makeup room. She was alone, leaning against a wall, and watching him. Curious, he asked someone about her identity and was told that she was Karisma Kapoor's younger sister.
At that time, Kareena was still a child, far from her own stardom. Saif admitted feeling drawn to her beauty even then. 'The first time I saw her, I was shooting at Filmistan studio when I noticed a little girl sitting alone outside the makeup room, leaning against the wall. She was looking at me. I asked someone who she was, and they said she's Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor's younger sister. I thought she was very pretty. I think I liked her from that moment," he said. Saif narrating about how he met young Kareena in Filmistaan studio and found her "acchi" from then.
by inBollyBlindsNGossip While his statement may have been delivered with innocent intent or fondness in hindsight, it has triggered unease among many viewers due to the age gap and the context of the encounter.Once the video surfaced on the Reddit forum BollyBlindsGossip, it swiftly gained traction. Numerous users voiced discomfort, pointing out the troubling implications of an adult recalling a young girl in such affectionate terms. While Saif may have intended to reflect on how early their paths crossed, his recollection was received by many as inappropriate, given that Kareena was a minor at the time.One Redditor reacted harshly, describing the comment as unsettling and labeling it as 'creepy.' Another user made a sarcastic remark about 'eugenics,' indirectly referencing Saif's past controversies.The backlash also reignited memories of Saif's earlier statements on nepotism and genetics. After facing criticism for joking about nepotism during the 2017 IIFA Awards, Saif had written an open letter published by DNA. In it, he argued that success in Bollywood stems from inherited traits rather than favoritism, referring to the industry as a merit-based system. He even claimed that producers invest in actors based on their lineage and background, citing his own mother, Sharmila Tagore, as an example of genetic influence rather than privilege.Though meant to defend his career path, this reasoning too was met with skepticism, and many questioned the ethics of linking talent and success to biological inheritance.This entire episode has stirred important reflections on how adults recall early interactions with children, especially in an industry rife with power imbalances. It forces viewers to reassess how nostalgia can sometimes sanitize or romanticize moments that, in retrospect, raise ethical concerns. The line between affection and inappropriateness is thin, especially when viewed through the lens of changing societal standards.