Actor Akshay Kumar recently lauded his ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’ co-star Saif Ali Khan for his courageous actions during a shocking burglary attempt at Saif’s residence in Mumbai. Saif, who is currently recovering from serious injuries, was praised for protecting his family despite being attacked by an intruder.
During a promotional event for his upcoming film Sky Force in Delhi, Akshay expressed his admiration for Saif’s bravery. He said, “It’s very nice that he is safe. It’s very good. We are happy. The whole industry is happy that he is safe. It was very brave of him to protect his family, and hats off to him.”
The actor, known for his ‘Khiladi’ persona, humorously teased that if he and Saif were to collaborate on another film, they might call it Tu Khiladi. “I did a film with him called Main Khiladi Tu Anari, but next time if we do a film together, we’ll make it Tu Khiladi,” Akshay joked.
The Incident
Last week, an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, attempted to steal from Saif’s home. When the actor intervened, he suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine during a confrontation with the intruder. Despite his injuries, Saif managed to protect his family, but he required surgery to remove a 2.5-inch blade from his body.
The police later apprehended the suspect in Thane while he was trying to flee. Shehzad, hailing from the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh, was attempting to escape after committing the crime.
Support and Family’s Request for Privacy
Saif’s wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, shared an emotional message on social media following the incident. She requested the media and paparazzi to respect their privacy during this difficult time. “It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculation and coverage,” Kareena wrote on Instagram.
She further expressed that the constant media scrutiny was overwhelming and posed a risk to their safety. “While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family,” she added.
Community Support
The entire film industry has shown an outpouring of support for Saif. Celebrities like Sanjay Dutt, Genelia Deshmukh, Riteish Deshmukh, and Shahid Kapoor have all expressed their shock and offered their well wishes. At the trailer launch of his film Deva, Shahid Kapoor shared his concern for Saif’s well-being. “It’s a very sad incident, and the whole fraternity is concerned about him. It’s very difficult to absorb such experiences when they unfold in your personal space, especially in Mumbai. We are hoping and praying for him, and we hope that Saif’s health improves and he’s doing better,” he said.
Shahid also reflected on the shocking nature of the attack, noting that Mumbai is generally considered a safe city, even during late hours. “We proudly say that girls and our family members are safe on the roads, even at 2-3 a.m. It’s very shocking,” he added.
As Saif continues to recover, his colleagues and fans remain hopeful for his swift recovery, with the entire industry rallying behind him during this traumatic time.
