Saif Ali Khan recalls wanting to return his national award

Actor says he didn’t deserve 2010 Padma Shri prize

Actor Saif Ali Khan took his fans and almost everybody by surprise when he made his web debut with Sacred Games last year. The actor's hardcore performance in the drama put him back in the spotlight, reported Pinkvilla. On a recent appearance on Arbaaz Khan’s chat show Pinch, Saif was asked to respond to a series of questions. The Bazaar star was asked to read critics’ comments out loud and react to them.

The first comment Saif had to respond to was a downright negative one, calling him a “two bit thug who bought a Padma Shri award”. He, however, took it in his stride and replied to the user. "So, a two bit thug? I am not. Bought a Padma Shri award? I am afraid it is not possible. It is a bit beyond me to bribe the Indian government. You will have to ask more senior people."



Recalling his Padma Shri award acceptance, Saif added, "I thought I didn't want to accept it. There were people in the industry who deserve it so much more than me. There were more so many senior actors who had not received one and it was very embarrassing."

Saif mentioned he wanted to return the prize at that very moment. "I wanted to give it back. My father said to me, 'I don't think you are in a position to refuse the Indian government'. So then I said okay and very happily took it. I hope in time when people look back they will say, 'I think he deserves an honour for the work he has done'." Saif was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2010 for his achievement in India cinema by then President Pratibha Patil.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.