Saif Ali Khan’s surprising love affair with books
Saif Ali Khan has long been open about his love for reading, and a recent conversation with Esquire India peeled back the curtain on the novels that have left a lasting mark on him. The actor’s picks aren’t just page-turners — they’re lyrical, emotionally charged and often challenge familiar narratives about culture and history.
Why Nilanjana Roy’s Black River grabbed him
One book that stood out for Saif is Black River by Nilanjana Roy. He describes it as more than a typical crime novel: “It’s kind of a police procedural murder mystery, but it’s also really emotional and kind of moving about the murder of a very young little girl.”
Saif liked the story so much that he bought the rights to the book and is working to adapt it for the screen. He admitted the process is taking time, but repeatedly praised the novel’s tone — calling it “lyrical,” “dramatic,” and “really poetic, beautiful.” He also quoted the book’s own description, saying it reads like “an ode to an India that might not exist anymore,” underlining the emotional and nostalgic weight that goes beyond the central mystery.
Ghost stories with literary weight: Lafcadio Hearn
Saif’s taste isn’t limited to contemporary fiction. He also loves well-written ghost stories and singled out Japanese Ghost Stories by Lafcadio Hearn as a favourite. What appeals to him isn’t just the supernatural — it’s the author’s journey and the poetic prose.
“I love very well-written ghost stories,” Saif said, reflecting on how Hearn moved from Ireland to Japan and immersed himself in Japanese culture. Hearn’s retellings, Saif feels, bring emotional depth and a refined literary elegance to classic tales of the uncanny.
Feminist retellings: Pandora’s Jar and Medusa
Another title that made a strong impression on Saif is Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes, a book that offers feminist reinterpretations of women from Greek mythology. He praised its reframing of figures historically viewed through a male-centric lens.
Discussing Medusa, Saif highlighted how myth has often miscast her: “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 viewed as a monster.” The book’s empathy and corrective perspective resonate with him — “I’ve always felt something for her,” he said.
What these choices reveal about Saif’s reading palate
- He gravitates toward stories that are emotionally rich and stylistically poetic.
- He enjoys narratives that question dominant or simplistic portrayals — whether in myth, history or contemporary society.
- He appreciates both the supernatural and the realistic when they’re told with literary care and human depth.
Taken together, Saif Ali Khan’s reading list paints a picture of a reader drawn to complexity — books that provoke empathy, unsettle assumptions and linger long after the last page.