‘I am a pampered baby’

In an industry where passing the buck is a favourite pastime, Zayed Khan’s candour comes as a pleasant surprise. Zayed, who is ready to hit the marquee with two action films (‘Speed’ and ‘Cash’), admits that he is responsible for the delay of Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Speed’.

“I was bed-ridden for months because of a slipped-disc. I had no choice. But yes, I’m guilty. ‘Speed’ did get delayed because of me. Fortunately, it’s now complete,” explains the Khan.

He adds, “Perhaps, I chose ‘Cash’ (director Anubahv Sinha) and ‘Speed’ because they required me to exert myself physically. After being confined to bed, I wanted to prove that I was physically fit as I used to be before the bad back.”

He adds that this penchant to prove a point runs in his family. “Look at Duggu (brother-in-law Hrithik Roshan). He has been a portrait of self-improvement.”

So is Hrithik a source of inspiration? “Not in a direct way. I don’t take any tips from him. But we’re a close-knit family. Duggu and I go back a long way. We knew each other before he got to know my sister Sussanne.”

Being the youngest in his family of three sisters, Zayed says, “I’ve been fussed-over by my sisters all my life. Now there’s another woman—my wife Malaika who mollycoddles me. Can’t say I don’t enjoy all the female attention. I am the pampered baby of the family, so much so that I can’t imagine myself being a father. I tell my wife that she doesn’t need a baby since she has me to look after. Jokes apart, we’re thinking of starting our family next year.”

The star son Zayed confesses, “I could’ve become a spoilt brat. But I always look at Abhishek’s (Bachchan) example to realise how tough things can be for a child from a film family. While I was at home, I could think about my career and how to go about my life. Today I’m ready to roll again with ‘Speed’ and ‘Cash’.”