Saif Ali Khan Explains Why Collaborating with Spouse Kareena Kapoor is Rarely Successful

As of October 6th, 2025, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has opened up about his experiences of working alongside intimate partners, particularly his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan. In a recent conversation with Esquire India, Saif explained that he thrives on "healthy competition" and improvisation with co-stars, which can be challenging when collaborating with partners.

Reflecting on his early career in the 1990s, Saif noted that while people used to tell him he was "lucky" to get so many chances, he was not "getting the best movies in town or being cast as the main lead." Over time, Saif realized that his working style works best when he can engage in a "healthy competition" and "riff off his co-stars." This is why, as Saif pointed out, "working with wives and girlfriends is not a good idea."

Though Saif has acted alongside Kareena in several films, including LOC Kargil (2003), Omkara (2006), and Agent Vinod (2012), he has never shared the screen with his ex-wife Amrita Singh. Looking ahead, Saif has previously stated that any future joint venture with Kareena would need to be director-driven, as they would need to be cast "not because we are husband and wife, but just as actors."