When Saif Ali Khan fled the Omkara set topless

Saif Ali Khan in Omkara throwback

Saif Ali Khan, known for his remarkable versatility as an actor, has had his fair share of extraordinary experiences on set, one of which even led him to flee a film’s set without clothes.

Recently, the actor made headlines not only for his impressive work but also for a more alarming reason – an intruder stabbed him during a conflict at his residence, causing a stir amongst fans.

Let's take a look back at a throwback incident during the shooting of Omkara that left a lasting impression.

The film, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is a Hindi adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello, featuring an ensemble cast including Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor, and Konkona Sen Sharma.

Omkara garnered critical acclaim, with Saif’s portrayal of the menacing Langda Tyagi earning particular praise. This role marked a significant turning point in Saif’s career, successfully transforming his image from that of a charming romantic hero to a more gritty and intense character. It was a pivotal moment that solidified his versatility and acting prowess.

The film’s shooting took place in Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, where the actors reportedly found themselves being watched by some notorious local gangsters.

During an old interview, Vivek Oberoi shared a hilarious memory from the set of Omkara, shedding light on an amusing incident involving Saif Ali Khan. He recalled how Saif ended up fleeing the set in the most unexpected way, all thanks to some playful pranks played by Vivek and Ajay.

Vivek explained, "When we were shooting for a scene in the Prayag temple in Allahabad, we had heard that a few real bahubalis [gangsters from Uttar Pradesh] wanted to 'kidnap us' and treat us in their style." With the intense environment surrounding the filming, the actors continued to find moments of levity. Vivek and Ajay, having already completed their scenes for the day, decided to have a little fun at Saif’s expense.

He continued, "So we were shooting the scene in the morning, and luckily me and Ajay were done with our portions, and we were ready to leave on the chopper. Saif was yet to shoot his scenes, and we kept on teasing him for that, saying things like ‘we are going yaar, our shooting is over’ or ‘hope you have enough security around.’" As their teasing grew, the situation took a hilarious turn. After they boarded the helicopter, Vivek and Ajay witnessed an unexpected sight.

"We had just sat in the chopper when we later saw Saif bolting towards us after his scene got over. He didn’t change, and he was running topless in a dhoti towards the chopper. It was hilarious," Vivek recounted, laughing at the absurdity of the moment. This spontaneous action from Saif certainly brought a lighthearted touch to the otherwise tense atmosphere of the shoot.

Saif himself has shared several interesting stories from his time filming Omkara, including one where Vishal Bhardwaj had asked him to perform a scene completely naked.

Saif, however, was not comfortable with the request and refused. Later, he admitted to regretting his decision, but this moment serves as just one of the many peculiar and unforgettable instances Saif has experienced during his illustrious career.

On the work front, Saif Ali Khan was most recently seen in Devara: Part 1, where he continues to impress audiences with his dynamic performances.

His journey from playing romantic leads to taking on complex, darker characters demonstrates the vast range he has as an actor, and his experience on the Omkara set remains a reminder of the fun, chaos, and unexpected moments that come with the craft.