Throwback Thursday: When Saif Ali Khan took sleeping pills to perfect a scene in Hum Saath-Saath Hain

Even after several decades since its release, "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" remains a beloved classic in Bollywood. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Mohnish Bahl. To celebrate throwback Thursday, let's revisit an old interview with Sooraj Barjatya, in which he shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about Saif Ali Khan during the making of the film.

Barjatya recalled the filming of the song "Sunoji Dulhan," where Saif had to do multiple retakes. He believed Saif, being a natural actor, should have nailed the scene in one go, especially since it was a comedic sequence. Concerned about Saif's repeated retakes, Barjatya spoke to Saif's then-wife, Amrita Singh. She revealed that Saif was staying up all night, worrying about perfecting his lines and performance.

Barjatya suggested that Amrita give Saif some medication to help him sleep. "So, she gave him a sleeping pill without him knowing, and the next day, Saif woke up refreshed and managed to complete the scene in a single take. Saif was surprised and asked how he did it in one go. I told him, 'You're a natural actor. When you sleep well, everything falls into place,'" Barjatya shared.

During the same interview, Barjatya mentioned that Saif was quite nervous at the time. This was a period before the success of 'Dil Chahta Hai,' and some of Saif's earlier films had not performed well at the box office. Barjatya noted that Saif was under a lot of pressure, especially since 'Hum Saath-Saath Hain' featured such a prominent ensemble cast. Despite the nerves, Saif's unwavering dedication to his craft, often staying up late to rehearse his dialogues, was truly inspiring.

Saif Ali Khan's hard work paid off, and his performance in "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" was well-received, marking an important moment in his career.