Kajol recently opened up about her experience working with Ibrahim Ali Khan, noting his quieter personality compared to his famous father, Saif Ali Khan, but affirming his strong screen presence.
Stepping Onto Sarzameen
Bollywood veteran Kajol is set to star alongside newcomer Ibrahim Ali Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the upcoming film ‘Sarzameen’. This movie also marks the directorial debut of Kayoze Irani, son of veteran actor Boman Irani.
Scheduled for release on July 25th on Jio Hotstar, ‘Sarzameen’ brings together a fresh cast and crew. Ahead of its premiere, Kajol shared her insights on collaborating with Ibrahim, especially after having worked extensively with his father, Saif Ali Khan, in various projects.
Ibrahim vs. Saif: A Personality Contrast
Kajol drew a clear distinction between Ibrahim and his father, Saif. She observed that while both possess a natural charm on camera, their personalities differ significantly.
“The camera loves both the father and the son,” Kajol stated. She described Ibrahim as inherently good-looking, suggesting he doesn’t need to speak much to make an impact. “He can just brood in front of the camera, and he is sorted in life,” she added.
However, Kajol highlighted Ibrahim’s quieter nature, contrasting it with Saif’s “bigger and brighter, persona-wise” presence. Despite this, she confidently predicted Ibrahim’s success in the industry.
Director Kayoze Irani’s Take
Director Kayoze Irani echoed Kajol’s sentiments, emphasizing Ibrahim’s dedication. He revealed that both he and Ibrahim were new to feature film sets, necessitating extensive preparation.
Kayoze shared, “We gave him six months of prep, and I am extremely happy with how it has turned out.” He praised Ibrahim, noting that the camera truly loves him, concluding, “I think he is made for this.”
Navigating the Stardom Spotlight
The conversation also touched upon the immense scrutiny and high expectations faced by children from film families. Kayoze acknowledged these pressures, stating that they are justifiable.
“People give their time and money to watch you, so you have to be outstanding,” Kayoze remarked, stressing the need for star kids to live up to these expectations. He affirmed their commitment, saying, “With Ibrahim, we put in a lot of effort and did as much as we could.”
Kajol added that judgment is universal in the industry, regardless of one’s background. She believes that anyone appearing on screen must be prepared for both praise and criticism.
“That’s part and parcel of what you signed up for when you do movies,” she concluded, expressing confidence that new actors are well-prepared for this reality.
- Kajol describes Ibrahim Ali Khan as a “quieter personality” compared to his father, Saif Ali Khan.
- She believes Ibrahim’s natural good looks ensure his success on screen, even without extensive dialogue.
- Director Kayoze Irani confirms Ibrahim’s six months of intense preparation for ‘Sarzameen’.
- Both Kajol and Kayoze agree that star kids face high expectations and must be ready for public scrutiny.
Kajol’s last project was the horror-thriller ‘Maa’, which saw a modest performance. Fans are now eagerly anticipating her return to the screen in ‘Sarzameen’ alongside the promising debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan.
