Saif Ali Khan on Ibrahim and Sara Ali Khan facing scrutiny: ‘People are less forgiving now’

4 min readMumbaiJun 7, 2026 12:58 PM IST

Saif Ali Khan on Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan facing scrutiny. (Photo: Sara Ali Khan/ Instagram)

Having spent over three decades in the film industry, actor Saif Ali Khan has experienced both success and failure. In a recent interview, Saif said that while he was given several opportunities to prove himself despite setbacks, his children Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan are navigating a far more demanding industry today.

Saif Ali Khan on his professional downtime

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Saif Ali Khan reflected on a challenging phase in his career. The actor said, “I survived because there was a massive patch where nobody wanted to do those movies that I was doing. It wasn’t that I was getting the best films in the world repeatedly despite not being good. There was a strong downward movement, but then there was luck. It was a simpler time; people were much more forgiving.”

Also Read: Saif Ali Khan says ex-wife Amrita Singh played a big role in his life: ‘We usually speak whenever I’m in a hospital bed’

He further added, “In my defense, it’s not that I was doing particularly well or getting lots of chances. I was very lucky to get a great break in a movie Yash Chopra ji was directing, and it was a huge privilege. The film didn’t do well, and then I kind of went into a slump, but Yeh Dillagi brought me back; people liked me, and it was a two-hero film with Akshay Kumar. So, It’s not that I was doing particularly well or getting lots of chances. I got a little bit of opportunities along the way for working quite hard and putting everything into it. They got me a little bit of reward with films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, and I slowly kind of made my way into things.”

Saif Ali Khan on Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan facing scrutiny

Saif Ali Khan’s children Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan have followed him into films, but both have faced their share of challenges. Talking about the scrutiny they have to face, Saif said, “It was definitely a more forgiving time when I came, and today you need to be much more prepared than we were. But the whole concept of preparation has changed, and some actors have always done that. I remember Hrithik Roshan obviously prepared his dance and his physique and all these things before his debut. But the concept has changed, and the whole world of movies has kind of changed.”

“It’s a different time, and I’ve said this to them also that you have to prepare, but these are also producers’ calls. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember what it’s like when you’re in your early 20s. The big screen has such a strong pull that people feel that they are ready and they want to be ready. So it’s a tough one. I think to have a successful job, you have to be very blessed in life in any field. But our field has become extremely extreme. It’s always been competitive, but people are less forgiving now certainly than they were,” the actor added.

Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan are Saif Ali Khan’s children from his first marriage with Amrita Singh. After getting divorced from Amrita, Saif married Kareena Kapoor. Saif and Kareena have two sons, Taimur and Jeh.

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On the work front, Saif Ali Khan was last seen in Kartavya, while Ibrahim Ali Khan recently starred in Sarzameen. Sara Ali Khan’s latest release Pati, Patni Aur Woh Do hit theatres last month but failed to make an impact at the box office.

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.

Experience & Career

Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:

The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.

Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.

Expertise & Focus Areas

Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:

Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.

OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.

Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.

Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.

Authoritativeness & Trust

With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

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Ibrahim Ali Khan

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