Ek Hasina Thi to Laal Kaptaan: Saif Ali Khan starrer films that were ahead of his time

Though he has been a part of commercial big-ticket films, Saif has also explored experimental and offbeat projects that challenged traditional storytelling.

Saif Ali Khan's journey in Indian cinema has been anything but conventional. In an industry where success is often measured by box office numbers and mass appeal, he has consistently taken a different route, choosing projects that defy mainstream expectations. While Bollywood has been slow to embrace genre-bending narratives, Saif has played a key role in introducing unconventional films that have since gained recognition as cult classics.

Though he has been a part of commercial big-ticket films, Saif has also explored experimental and offbeat projects that challenged traditional storytelling. From stepping into indie cinema long before it became a trend to experimenting with psychological thrillers and dark comedies when Bollywood was still focused on formulaic storytelling, he has taken creative risks that set him apart.

One such example is Being Cyrus, a film that arrived at a time when Indian indie thrillers were largely unexplored. Unlike Bollywood’s flashy productions, it relied on an eerie, slow-burning narrative that had more in common with Western cinema. In today’s landscape, where independent storytelling is gaining momentum, Being Cyrus stands out as an early attempt at redefining the space.

Similarly, Ek Hasina Thi was among the first Indian films to dive into psychological noir. Straying from Bollywood’s dramatic storytelling, it offered a gripping tale of love and betrayal. As films like Badlapur and Andhadhun gain appreciation today, it’s worth noting that Ek Hasina Thi laid the groundwork for such narratives.

His role in Laal Kaptaan further highlighted his willingness to break away from commercial formulas. A unique blend of Western and folklore elements, the film steered clear of mainstream expectations and instead focused on redefining Indian period dramas.

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Then there’s Kalakaandi, a film that experimented with dark comedy in a way few Bollywood projects had before. With its non-linear storytelling and trippy narrative, it presented Saif in a role far removed from mainstream expectations. While unconventional at the time, the film now seems ahead of its era, given the growing acceptance of such narratives.

Through these choices, Saif Ali Khan has built a filmography that balances mainstream appeal with creative risks. While not all of his experiments have been box office hits, they have certainly contributed to expanding Bollywood’s storytelling landscape, proving that he is willing to step beyond the expected and embrace bold cinematic ventures.