Happy Birthday Saif!

Saif Ali Khan has been one of my favorite stars from Bollywood,
for reasons which are not even known to me!
He had received quite a flak from all quarters when he embarked on his acting career
in the Nineties. But since then, he has come a long way.
He has proved himself to be the proverbial dark horse
and has surprised us again and again with his amazing performances
in many a film lately.
He has been often described as a mercurial performer,
and I cannot agree more.
Saif is known for his apt comic timing in
films like 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' & 'Hum Tum' has been appreciated.
His dramatic performances in films like 'Ek Hasina Thi' & 'Omkara'
have made us take note of his acting prowess.
His natural, affable charm in films like 'Dil Chahta Hai',
'Salaam Namaste', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', and in
the very recent 'Love Aaj Kal' has endeared him all the more.
His sharp, layered portrayals in films like 'Eklavya' and
'Parineeta' have won him the much deserved laurels.

Brief Biography:
Saif was born on August 16, 1970 in New Delhi, India.
He is the son of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, a renowned cricketer, and is the grandson of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who was the Nawab of Pataudi as well as an accomplished cricketer - having played for England and then for India as the captain of the team. Saif's paternal grandmother was Sajida Sultan, Begum of Bhopal, and his great-uncle was Pakistani general Nawabzada Sher Ali Khan Pataudi. Saif's mother is the famous actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba & Soha Ali Khan. Saif is privileged to be the heir apparent to the headships of both the royal houses of Bhopal and Pataudi.
Initially, Saif had studied at the Lawrence School Sanawar, but he later attended Lockers Park Prep School. He then followed in his father's footsteps by attending Winchester College, a famous independent school for boys in the U.K.
Saif made his screen debut in 1992. He had his first major successes with the 1994 films 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' and 'Yeh Dillagi'. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Hum Tum' (2004). After 'Parineeta', 'Omkara', and 'Being Cyrus', Saif is counted among the topmost Indian actors at present.
Ver recently, he has branched out into film production. He is the founder-owner of his production company Illuminati Films which has had its first release in 'Love Aaj Kal' that has been already declared a hit.

Saif has always courted controversies. From his liaison with Kamal Sadanah to his getting married to Amrita Singh, and then from his break-up with the latter, after thirteen years of marriage and two kids, to his romancing the Italian model-actress Rosa, Saif has been in the news often for the wrong reasons. Earlier, he was continually dismissed by his critics for being insincere and arrogant. He has recently been given a lot of focus by the film glossies and even by the mainstream media just because of his declaration of love for his present girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. Saif has her name tattooed on his arm and he is known to be earnest about marrying her soon. The gossip mills keep churning the juicy reports and he gets featured amply in this way too.

Select filmography:
[The films of Saif that I've seen.]
Parampara (1992)
Yeh Dillagi (1994)
Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994)
Imtihaan (1995)
Dil Tera Deewana (1996)
Hamesha (1997)
Keemat (1998)
Kachche Dhaage (1999)
Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan (1999)
Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)
Biwi No. 1 (1999)
Kya Kehna (2000)
Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega (2001)
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001)
Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002)
Darna Mana Hai (2003)
Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)
L.o.C.-Kargil (2003)
Ek Hasina Thi (2004)
Hum Tum (2004)
Parineeta (2005)
Salaam Namaste (2005)
Being Cyrus (2006)
Omkara (2006)
Eklavya (2007)
Nehle Pe Dehla (2007)
Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)
Race (2008)
Tashan (2008)
Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic (2008)
Roadside Romeo (2008)
Love Aaj Kal (2009)