Saif Ali Khan has never shied away from speaking about his love for literature, and in a recent conversation with Esquire India, the actor provided rare insights about the books that have left a lasting impact on him – stories that are poetic, emotional, and deeply reflective of society and history.
Saif Ali Khan reveals that he bought the rights of Nilanjana Roy’s Black River for a film adaptation; It’s called an “emotional piece.”
Talking about one novel that made a particularly strong impact, Saif revealed that Nilanjana Roy’s Black River is one of his all-time favorite books. Describing it as more than a traditional crime novel, he said, “It’s kind of a police procedural murder mystery, but it’s also really emotional and moving about the murder of a very young girl.” The actor said the story affected him so deeply that he acquired the rights to the book.
Saif admitted that the adaptation process was taking time, sharing, “I loved the story so much that I bought the rights of the book and we are trying to make a film on it.” He described the novel as “lyrical,” “dramatic,” and “really poetic, beautiful,” noting that its emotional weight extends beyond the mystery. Citing the book’s description, he said, “It’s like an ode to an India that probably doesn’t exist anymore…and it’s also quite an emotional piece.”
Saif also spoke about his fondness for ghost stories, especially those rooted in a strong literary tradition. One of his favorites is Lafcadio Hearn’s Japanese Ghost Stories. Reflecting on the author’s life and writing, Saif said, “I love very well-written ghost stories,” before elaborating on Hearn’s travels from Ireland to Japan and his deep immersion in Japanese culture.
Saif described the collection as one of his favorite books, saying, “He will retell famous Japanese ghost stories, but in this wonderful, wonderful poetic prose.” For him, the appeal lies not just in the supernatural elements but in the emotional depth and literary elegance with which these stories are told.
Another book that left a deep impression on the actor is Natalie Haynes’ Pandora’s Jar, which presents a feminist reinterpretation of women in Greek mythology. Saif described it as “a kind of feminist take on all the famous women of Greek myth and history”, including figures like Medusa, who have long been portrayed as monstrous through a male-centric lens.
Discussing Medusa specifically, Saif said, “She was a beautiful girl, and she was raped in this temple. And then she was punished for being raped in the temple… and she’s seen as a monster.” He said that this rewriting of mythological narratives had a deep impact on him, concluding, “I have always felt something for them.”
Through these choices, Saif Ali Khan’s reading list highlights a clear pattern – stories that challenge dominant narratives, explore emotional truths, and offer layered perspectives on culture, history, and humanity.
