Saif Ali Khan reflects on fatherhood, fame and the cost of long shooting hours

Actor Saif Ali Khan says fatherhood has changed the way he looks at work, success and the demanding lifestyle of the film industry. While speaking about his upcoming project Kartavya, the actor also opened up about the emotional cost of long shooting schedules and the importance of spending time with family.

During a recent interaction, Saif explained that acting often demands sacrifices that slowly affect personal relationships. He admitted that years of nonstop filming forced him to miss birthdays, celebrations and important family moments.

Now, however, he says age and fatherhood have shifted his priorities.

Saif described family life as the “base camp” that helps people survive difficult journeys. Using the example of mountain climbing, he explained that professional ambition means little if a person loses emotional stability at home.

He said actors constantly struggle to balance work and family because the industry rarely follows fixed hours. According to him, the popular “nine-to-nine” shooting culture stretches much longer in reality.

Film crews often continue working late into the night. Actors then spend hours travelling back home after pack-up. As a result, many barely find time to sit with family members despite living in the same house.

Saif admitted that the routine now frustrates him more than before.

The actor said becoming a father later in life made him more protective about family time. He now prefers returning home earlier instead of spending endless hours on sets. He also acknowledged that younger actors sometimes accept exhausting schedules more easily because ambition often outweighs personal life during the early years of a career.

Outside film studios in Mumbai, several junior artists and crew members echoed similar concerns while discussing industry work culture. Many technicians said long shifts affect sleep, health and time with children. Some also pointed out that streaming platforms and tighter production schedules have increased pressure across the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Saif also discussed the central conflict in Kartavya, which blends crime, morality and emotional drama. He described the film as more than a conventional thriller and said the story explores difficult questions around duty, conscience and family responsibility.

According to Saif, the lead character faces a dangerous moral dilemma while trying to protect his loved ones. He added that the film places the protagonist in situations where every decision carries emotional consequences.

The actor praised director Pulkit for creating a layered central role. He said the story follows a police officer deeply attached to his wife and family, but circumstances slowly push him into darker territory.

Saif further explained that the film contains philosophical undertones without losing its commercial appeal. He said audiences will see a character trapped inside an almost impossible situation where emotions, ethics and survival begin to collide.

The actor also highlighted the emotional pressure created by family expectations and workplace demands within the story. According to him, those themes connect strongly with real life because many working people struggle with similar conflicts every day.

For Saif, the conversation around Kartavya therefore became deeply personal. While discussing the fictional struggles of a police officer, he also reflected on his own journey as an actor, husband and father trying to protect balance in a profession that rarely slows down.