Saif Ali Khan has been roped in as the brand ambassador for Lay’s Gourmet, the range of slow-cooked kettle chips from Lay’s. t2 recently caught up with the Sacred Games actor to chat about his association with Lay's, the foodies he knows and what a dinner hosted by him will look like!
How excited are you about your association with Lay’s Gourmet?
My previous association with Lay's was for many years and is very memorable to me. I am equally thrilled to rejoin the family as the first-ever brand ambassador for Lay's Gourmet. These aren't just chips, they're the perfect accompaniment for moments of finesse. I am sure that the audience will appreciate the exceptional taste and quality of Lay's Gourmet chips, just as much as I do.
Are chips your snack-time indulgence?
When it comes to indulgence, I definitely prefer chips. They are my ultimate go-to snack. And there’s nothing better than Lay’s Gourmet, which is crafted for those moments of indulgence.
When we say ‘gourmet’, who from your family comes to mind?
They all are gourmet. Everyone is a big foodie including my cousins, my wife, and even my extended family in Bhopal who love authentic Mughlai food. My father (Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi) used to cook and my mom (Sharmila Tagore), of course, loves Bengali food and is quite good at cooking it as well. I distinctly remember her weakness for fish. Personally, I too love cooking and I found myself cooking more often during the lockdown. So, we are all ‘gourmet’. It's better to name a chip than a person I think in my family. But we all love food, we live for taste and that sensory excitement also.
Sharmila Tagore and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi
Are you a foodie?
Being an actor, we have to watch what we eat. However, deep down I’m a foodie and I love good food. It’s a part of my lifestyle too. I most look forward to a nice dinner, healthy or not, but meals are very important. I will say that I can cook but I am no chef. Although during the lockdown, we all bonded strongly over cooking and eating good food. That's something we would do, and it was really nice. We journaled the recipes of these dishes, which grew into a massive file of hundreds of dishes which one can cook now and it's great because it brings everybody together.
What is your kind of food?
In terms of dishes, I enjoy pasta. Well, in cuisines, I love Chinese and Indian.
If Saif Ali Khan is hosting a dinner, what’s most likely to feature on the menu?
I will go for some comfort food coupled with a fair bit of planning. It is anything from Indian food like biryani and chicken, mutton curry in Rajasthani style, Laal Maas, or even Roast Chicken, Roast Fish, Roast Lamb, pizzas and pasta. And, sometimes there is caviar. So, my dinner party would definitely include good food, good drinks, and the company of nice people.
Who among your costars is a big foodie?
Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and mostly the Kapoors are the big foodies that I know.