
Saif Ali Khan On Competition With Jaideep Ahlawat: ‘He Is The Best'
Last Updated:
While Saif Ali Khan acknowledged that acting is a competitive field, it is the film that holds the most value for him.
In the ever-evolving world of cinema where artists often find themselves competing against each other, Saif Ali Khan feels happy about his co-star's contribution to the project. While the actor acknowledged that acting is a competitive field, it is the film that holds the most value for him. Saif's latest release was Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, wherein he shared screen space with Jaideep Ahlawat. In a recent interview, Saif was asked whether there was a competition between the two of them while working on the film.
Responding, the actor told Hindustan Times, 'The most important thing is the film. So on that level there's no competition because you're just happy the other person's there and everyone's contributing beautifully to the film."
Acknowledging the inherent competitive spirit that comes while working on films, Saif Ali Khan added, 'But on another level, while as an actor I'm not competing with Jaideep, acting is a competitive business. It should be because your character is competing for importance."
Talking further, Saif Ali Khan admitted that when performing a scene, an actor wants to be the most important voice but it is not destructive, undermining or insecure. He continued, 'When Jaideep nails a shot, I'm very happy for the movie and for myself because I'm going to benefit from that and then I'm like 'Okay, I better get my act together and be good'."
Well, Saif Ali Khan had more to say about Jaideep Ahlawat. During the conversation, the Devara actor called him 'too good to compete" and added, 'He's among the best actors around today."
In Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, Saif Ali Khan essays a thief who is assigned the task of stealing Red Sun, Africa's most precious diamond. Apart from Saif and Jaideep Ahlawat, the ensemble cast also included Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta. The heist thriller is available for streaming on Netflix. The film, directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, marks the OTT debut of producers Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand's Marflix Pictures.
In other news, Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji's fun rom-com, Hum Tum, recently re-released in the theatres on May 16. Originally released in 2004, the film was a blockbuster, marking one of Saif's most memorable performances.
First Published:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
M&E Weekly Edition : Lights, Camera, Weekly Buzz!
Welcome to the very first edition of Media & Entertainment Special! We're thrilled to bring you a weekly dose of the most compelling stories shaping the world of media and entertainment. From record-breaking viewership to groundbreaking business models and the ever-evolving digital landscape, we've got you covered. Let's jump right into the top headlines that have everyone talking this week: First up, as RCB picked up its first title, the IPL set its own record. IPL 18 has been an absolute phenomenon, delivering not just thrilling matches but also shattering viewership records. RCB's historic win has been the talk of the town, sparking celebrations and setting new benchmarks for digital streaming. It just goes to show the enduring power of sports and the sheer emotional connection fans have with their favorite teams. If you missed the full story on how RCB's victory created a digital surge, catch up here: IPL 18: Record Viewership and Historic Win for RCB Despite Setbacks for RCB Despite Setbacks Next, a fascinating development from the world of Bollywood! Aamir Khan, known for his innovative approaches, is reportedly exploring a unique business model for his upcoming film, "Sitaare Zameen Par." Instead of the traditional OTT platform release, he's looking at a pay-per-view model on YouTube after its theatrical run. This could be a game-changer, giving creators more control and potentially reshaping how films are distributed in the digital age. Will this pave the way for a new era of content consumption? Only time will tell! Dive deeper into this intriguing strategy here: Can YouTube pull 'Sitaare's' Netflix, Hotstar to Zameen as Aamir Khan tests new biz model? And speaking of YouTube, there's no denying its immense influence. It continues to dominate TV audiences, especially among younger viewers. However, this widespread reach also brings critical discussions about content moderation and parental navigation. While YouTube offers a vast array of content, concerns about its algorithm and potential exposure to inappropriate material for children remain pertinent. It's a reminder that with great power comes great responsibility, and platforms need to continually evolve to ensure a safe and enriching experience for all users. Understand the complexities of YouTube's dominance and the challenges for parents here: YouTube dominates TV audiences, but parents must navigate its risks TV audiences, but parents must navigate its risks That's all for our inaugural Media & Entertainment Special! We hope you enjoyed this quick tour of the week's most significant media stories. Stay tuned for more insights and updates from the dynamic world of media and entertainment in our upcoming editions. Stay Tuned! Sonam Saini


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Panchayat season 4 to The Family Man season 3 to Mirzapur season 4 to Farzi season 2: When are these web series likely to release?
Panchayat Season 4 The Trial Season 2 The Family Man Season 3 Kohrra Season 2 Mirzapur Season 4 Farzi Season 2 Rana Naidu Season 2 2025 is shaping up to be a golden year for Indian OTT, as fan-favourite series across genres are making long-awaited comebacks. Whether it's small-town satire, high-stakes espionage, gritty crime, or intense courtroom drama, there's something for every kind of viewer. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar are rolling out the red carpet for sequels and new seasons of their most-loved titles—some with fresh twists, others with interactive surprises. Here's your ultimate watchlist of the year's most anticipated continues to be a darling of the Indian streaming scene, striking a rare balance between humour, heart, and rural realism. Initially scheduled for a July 2 release, the makers have now handed over the decision to fans. In a new promo, Phulera's political campaign turns into a tongue-in-cheek viewer poll where you can "vote" to watch the show early. Jitendra Kumar (Sachiv ji) and the ensemble cast—Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Sanvikaa and more—return to add yet another chapter to the quirky lives of the Phulera residents. Get ready for catchy campaign songs, wild promises, and emotional punches wrapped in bold move into the digital courtroom is far from over. The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha returns for a second season, with Noyonika Sengupta stepping deeper into legal drama and personal chaos. Spotted filming with veteran actor Asrani, the BTS glimpses have already sparked major buzz. The series follows Noyonika's struggle to rebuild her life and career as a lawyer after her husband is jailed in a sex scandal. Balancing courtroom battles and domestic tensions, the new season is expected to intensify the moral dilemmas and emotional stakes introduced in Season 1. Streaming soon on Disney+ years of anticipation, The Family Man Season 3 is finally dropping in November 2025 on Amazon Prime Video. Manoj Bajpayee returns as Srikant Tiwari, the relatable intelligence officer trying to balance family dinners and national danger. This time, the scale is even bigger, with Jaideep Ahlawat joining the cast as a formidable new antagonist. The show, known for blending sharp commentary with edge-of-your-seat action, will pick up from where Season 2 left off. With Raj & DK steering the ship, fans can expect yet another masterclass in storytelling, espionage, and emotional Punjabi crime gem Kohrra will be back with a chilling new case. The new season will revolve around the brutal murder of a woman found at her brother's home, sparking an investigation led by a newly transferred officer and his tough-as-nails boss, Dhanwant Kaur. As secrets unravel, the detectives must also confront their own emotional baggage. With the same dark, atmospheric style and a fresh narrative, Kohrra Season 2 aims to delve even deeper into human psychology, family complexities, and small-town corruption. It's expected to premiere later in 2025, bringing back Sudip Sharma's signature tension-filled a stormy third season, Mirzapur has officially been renewed for Season 4. While the release date is still under wraps, fans can expect it between late 2025 and early 2026. The blood-soaked world of Purvanchal is far from done, as Guddu Pandit battles to retain power and Kaleen Bhaiya plots his revenge. The gritty, violent saga promises new rivalries and the return of familiar power players like Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and Shweta Tripathi. With Excel Media and Prime Video backing the project, Mirzapur Season 4 is gearing up to raise the Kapoor is ready to dive back into the world of counterfeiting with Farzi Season 2, which is expected to go on floors before the end of 2025. According to a Pinkvilla report, filming could begin as early as December. While an official release date is still under wraps, the makers are reportedly eyeing a festive release around Diwali 2026. The first season, directed by Raj & DK, won praise for its gritty storyline, smart visuals, and Kapoor's solid OTT debut. With fans eagerly waiting for what Sunny does next, Farzi 2 could be one of the biggest releases of 2026—if everything goes as Naidu is back—and this time, it's personal. The second season of the Rana Daggubati-Venkatesh Daggubati starrer will hit Netflix on June 13, 2025, and its recently released trailer is already creating waves. As Rana takes on a new adversary—Rauf, played by Arjun Rampal—the stakes are higher than ever. With family tensions, old scores, and risky operations piling up, this season promises to be darker, grittier, and even more emotionally charged. The cast also includes Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda, Abhishek Banerjee, Sushant Singh, and Dino Morea, making it a full-blown ensemble showdown with all the ingredients of a binge-worthy drama.


Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mani Ratnam fans get nostalgic for Nayakan, Thalapathi, Guru after lukewarm response to Thug Life
There was a time when Mani Ratnam defined the cultural zeitgeist of Tamil cinema – maybe even south Indian cinema at large. Even in an age of memes and GIFs, he remains relevant when shots of his old films are used in lieu of conversations. I mean, the image of Surya (Rajinikanth) looking heartbroken as the sun sets and his lover Subbulaxmi (Sobhana) walks away from him or the look Karthik (Madhavan) gives Shakthi (Shalini Ajith Kumar) as he locks eyes with her from a passing train are seared into any cine lover's mind. Which is why it's even more heartbreaking for fans when a filmmaker like Mani's craft is called into question. After a day of analysing the seemingly many ways in which his latest release, Thug Life, failed to impress, fans sat down for some introspection. Have they grown out of liking Mani's style, or did the filmmaker not live up to his own legend? If their posts on X (formerly Twitter) are anything to go by, the latter seems more than likely to be true. Pictures and clips from his old films like Nayakan and Thalapathi flood social media. After watching Thug Life, one fan on X posted their favourite scenes from Mani and Kamal Haasan's previous film together, Nayakan (1987), to remind everyone what both were capable of. They wrote, 'Look how beautifully Maniratnam crafted his own Godfather in Bombay. This cinematic masterpiece could never be recreated and will remains as the best gangster drama ever made in Indian Cinema. NAYAKAN - THE OG SAMBAVAM from Iconic duo.' Another posted key scenes that summed up Kamal's character, Shaktivel Naicker, aka Velu in the film, writing, 'Forever NAYAKAN. Absolute cinema! Peak Mani Ratnam.' Another hilariously posted a scene where Prabhu stops himself from slapping Rajinikanth, writing, 'Me trying to do maniratnam slander but suddenly remembering he was the one who made nayakan, thalapathy, iruvar, kannathil muthamittal, alaipayuthey. #ThugLife.' A fan posted a scene where Surya explains the plight of the poor to Arjun (Arvind Swamy) in Thalapathi (1991), writing, 'One film celebrated the day it released. One film celebrated on its rerelease. Thalapathi — Mani Ratnam's timeless classic made to last forever.' Some fans even got nostalgic for films Mani made in the early 2000s, like Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) and Guru (2007). 'What happened to this GOAT MANIRATNAM nowadays,' wrote one fan on X with sad emojis, posting a scene featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Another analysed, 'In Kannathil Muthamittal climax when the lead characters have conversation. Setting has that cloudy look. In the end it starts raining. From that to this. What a downfall.' Thug Life stars Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj. It marks Mani and Kamal's reunion for the first time after Nayakan. Hindustan Times' review summed up the film: 'Thug Life becomes a tiring watch after a while and it certainly fails to recreate the Nayakan magic on screen.'