'He created a PHENOMENAL empire': Saif Ali Khan opens up about Shah Rukh Khan's confidence and self-belief

As his crime thriller 'Kartavya' begins streaming, Saif Ali Khan has given fans a rare, candid glimpse into what makes Shah Rukh Khan truly exceptional – from his fearless salary negotiations with top production houses to rewriting award show scripts through the night. Let's take a look at what Saif has to say about SRK.In an interview with India Today, Saif Ali Khan reflected on Shah Rukh Khan's extraordinary rise from an ambitious outsider to the undisputed face of Bollywood. He said, "What I admire about him is his energy, his drive, and his love for cinema. Also, how he has the vision, approach, confidence, and clarity of thought right from the beginning. He wasn't weighed down by convention or niceties."In the same conversation, Saif Ali Khan revealed that Shah Rukh Khan's self-belief extended to how boldly he negotiated his worth with major studios early in his career. The 'Hum Tum' actor said, "And then he asked for the kind of money at the time. I feel conscious telling these stories, but it was a phenomenal ask with big production houses. He said, 'I'm completely worth it, and I have the best body language of any actor in India.'"He credited this unwavering conviction for the empire SRK has built today, adding, "There were these comments made and this very strong belief. So I admire that, what he made of himself and how he created a phenomenal empire. He's hugely, hugely successful and has defined an entire — well — more than a generation."Saif summed it up simply, stating that when someone searches for Bollywood, SRK's picture is what comes up, and there is no greater achievement than that.Produced by SRK's production house, 'Kartavya' features Saif as Pawan, a police officer caught in a dangerous web of power and deception after a journalist is shot under his watch. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.SRK is currently shooting for his next, 'King', co-starring Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, and more. The movie is set to release in December this year.