Last Updated:
At WAVES 2025, Saif Ali Khan opened up about his love for historical epics and cultural storytelling, calling the Mahabharata “the greatest story ever told.”
Saif Ali Khan calls Mahabharata the greatest epic ever told, says streaming is perfect for large-scale historical films at WAVES 2025.
At the recently held WAVES 2025 Summit, actor Saif Ali Khan shared his cinematic sensibilities in a candid conversation with Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix. Speaking during a session that explored the evolving landscape of global cinema and storytelling formats, Saif opened up about the kind of films that inspire and engage him the most.
“I like historical films,” Saif remarked. “Maybe films about other cultures, maybe Japanese.” His appreciation for culturally rich narratives and historically driven plots revealed a deep admiration for stories rooted in tradition and legacy. “The Mahabharata is the greatest story ever told. It’s one of our great epics. I would like to see that kind of atmosphere in movies—massive war scenes, bringing life to the pages of history,” he added.
Highlighting the potential of streaming platforms in exploring such expansive narratives, the Sacred Games actor said, “I feel the long-form streaming format is just perfect for it.” Saif’s inclination toward layered, culturally immersive stories also reflects the current global appetite for content that blends scale with substance.
Saif Ali Khan was most recently seen in Netflix’s Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, where he played a suave con-man tasked with stealing the elusive African Red Sun diamond. Starring alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, the film marked another OTT success for the actor, with audiences praising his charismatic performance and effortless screen presence.
Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan is officially set to star in the Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam. The actor and filmmaker Priyadarshan, who have been talking about adapting this Mohanlal-starrer for a while now, are finally making it official. In an exciting twist, Bobby Deol will join Saif Ali Khan as the antagonist in the Oppam remake. Interestingly, Samuthirakani, who played the villain in the original Malayalam film, is also expected to play a significant role in the Hindi version.
Produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Oppam revolves around Mohanlal’s character, Jayaraman, a visually impaired man with extraordinary senses of smell, hearing, and touch. When a retired judge is murdered by a man he wrongfully sentenced, Jayaraman steps up to protect the judge’s daughter. Sources reveal that Saif Ali Khan has been in talks with Priyadarshan and the producers of Oppam since 2023.
- First Published: