Saif Ali Khan charms Dubai with Chef talk

The red carpets were duly rolled out, the chandeliers polished and everyone had on their Sunday best, it could only mean one thing: a Bollywood movie star visit was about to take place at The Oberoi, Dubai. This time, however, the silver service was somewhat justified given it was the turn of regal actor and actual royal Saif Ali Khan to make his way to the UAE to promote his latest movie, Chef.
An adaptation of the 2014 US indie hit starring Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara and Scarlett Johansson, Bollywood's Chef will follow a similar, though not identical, course seeing Saif take over a food truck, or bus in this case, and drive it through India in an attempt to reconnect with his culture and son whom he had previously left to grow up with his mother in Kerala while Saif furthered his cooking career in America.
"It is a wonderful time for movies with different and interesting characters," Saif said as the press conference got under way earlier today (October 2), referencing the very 'modern family' relationships the film addresses. "It's a father and son story, but my character is still friends with his ex-wife who has been raising the child.
"This is the first time these relationships have been put on film in India," said director Raja Krishna Menon, who was also present.
"It's a slightly more serious, more grown up movie," added Saif.
Although the impromptu chef's nose test to distinguish various spices held between the actor and director at the conference didn't go swimmingly for Saif - "everything smells like saunf (fennel seeds)" - tonight (October 2) the Race star will make an appearance from 7pm to 8pm at the Truckers DXB event, Ibn Battuta Mall to show fans the culinary skills he learned from the film.
"Then later I'm looking to go to a steakhouse. It's now the first thing I do when I get here," he said.
Read our in-depth discussion with Saif about the movie, acting and why he believes Dubai is the perfect holiday destination for his family in Wednesday's City Times.
david@khaleejtimes.com