Will Saif Ali Khan be successful as producer?
If the history of bollywood films had been looked into it will be seen that many actors and actresses got involved in production of films after being in the profession for substantial period of time. Some of the them had succeeded while others stopped production due to lack of success.
Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt started their careers with productions of their own. They also knew the art of direction. So they don’t fall within this category. In fact their standards as producers were so high that their best acting lies in their production. Directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee or Mehboob Khan or Pacchi could not utilize Raj Kapoor in the manner he utilized himself in films like Awara, Shree 420, or Sangam, etc. Guru Dutt was at his best in films like Pyaasa or Aar Par or Mr. and Mrs. 55, all under his own production.
In respect of actor turned producers list Shahrukh Khan had mixed responses. Dreams Unlimited developed by Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla did great business in films like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, but again did mediocre business in other films as well. Anil Kapoor started production few years back. He had success with films like Shortcut, but still his films had not done great business if compared with the hit films of his brother Boney Kapoor who had hit films including No Entry, Hamara Dil Aapke Pass Hai.
Saif Ali Khan had started his career as producer with the film Love Aaj Kal. The film has all the elements of a hit film. With the performance of Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the viewers are also enthusiastic about its performance. Saif Ali Khan had taken a great decision in casting himself in the main role which releases the pressure of a producer.
But it is too early to foretell that Saif Ali Khan will be a successful producer. There are reasons for making such statement. It had been seen in the past that even eminent producers failed to understand the pulse of the viewers. Their tastes were changing and good producers and directors had both the taste of hit and flop films. Shakti Samanta started giving flops in the 70s like Pagla Kahin Ka or Jane Anjane, inspite of using Shammi Kapoor who had given super hit films in the 60s like Kashmir Ki Kali or An Evening in Paris.