In his first interview since the violent knife attack at his Bandra residence, actor Saif Ali Khan opened up about the terrifying ordeal and the aftermath of the incident. On January 16, the actor, who shares his home with wife Kareena Kapoor and their children, was stabbed during what he believes was a burglary attempt that escalated.
Saif was injured while trying to intervene when an intruder confronted him inside his home. The actor suffered several stab wounds to his thoracic spine, and a part of the knife had to be surgically removed from his body. Despite the severity of the attack, Saif remains calm and reflective about the incident.
In an interview with Delhi Times, Saif explained that he does not believe the attack was premeditated. Instead, he feels that the intruder’s intentions were likely limited to a robbery, which spiraled out of control. “I think it was just a burglary attempt gone wrong. That poor guy, his life is more screwed than mine,” Saif remarked, acknowledging the grim circumstances of the intruder, who has since been apprehended by the police.
Saif also shared that he does not intend to take extra security measures, such as keeping weapons in his home, to prevent future attacks. “Nothing will change,” he said. “I don’t feel I’m under threat. I don’t plan to keep weapons. If you start doing that, it just invites more trouble. It was not a premeditated attack. I feel it was just an unfortunate series of events.”
Reflecting on what he would have done differently if given the chance, Saif revealed that he would have attempted to defuse the situation peacefully. “I would have put on the light and said, ‘Do you know who I am?'” Saif recalled. “I think he would have said, ‘Oh s**t! I’m in the wrong house.’ And then I would have told him, ‘Put the knife down and let’s talk.’ I would have tried to reason with him, but in that moment, it was a mix of anger, outrage, and defense. It was just too quick. Everything happened instinctively.”
During the attack, Saif sustained six injuries, including two deep cuts on his neck and near his spine. He was rushed to Lilavati hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat his wounds. After a few days of recovery, Saif was discharged from the hospital on January 21 and made a public appearance, bandaged but in good spirits, as he promoted his upcoming Netflix film Jewel Thief.
The Mumbai police have since taken Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national, into custody in connection with the attack. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Despite the traumatic experience, Saif’s calm and measured response to the situation underscores his resilience in the face of danger, as he continues with his professional commitments.
