'My father was stylish, but my granddad was impeccably dressed'

While Saif used this Trilby hat from his own collection his grandfather was often photographed in one too top Notice the black doublebreasted pinstripe suit look that both sportSaif Ali Khan has been catching up with his grandfather this last one year And thats odd because he has never met him Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi died in 1952 while playing a game of polo when Saifs father Mansur Ali Khan Tiger Pataudi was just 11Flipping through an album of old but well preserved photographs from the 1940s he tells us that the decade is a favourite with him for its fashion I am quite conversant in mens fashion right from the Roman times But the 40s happen to be my absolute favourite It was a truly elegant time says the actor apologising for not being able to allow us to take the album out of the vanity van parked at Rajkamal Studio where he is shooting 9to9 for Chef Amma would kill me he says imagining actressmother Sharmila Tagores wrathThe album holds memories of the 8th Nawab of Pataudi the only Test cricketer to have played for both India and England Saif calls him a classic gentleman cricketer He wore a suit with a cravat even as the opposition captain tossed the coin in a cable knit cricket jumper My father was stylish but my grandfather was always impeccably dressed whether on the cricket field or on a polo groundA mix of aristocracy and his time in England he studied at Balliol College Oxford may have had something to do with itA pocket watch that Iftikhar carried and was passed down to Saif makes it to a scene in the upcoming period war drama Rangoon Its one of many fashion references that Saif credits Pat for as Iftikhar was fondly called In the love triangle set against World War II bang in the middle of the Imphal and Kohima battles Saif plays the deliciously refined but brooding Rusi Billimoria a former action heroturnedsilent picture producer obsessively in love with Julia Kangana RanautSaif wears a glove on his right hand like seen in a portrait of Iftikhar For Saifs character its linked to the story Rusi damages his right palm in a fire leaving him unable to act again Itrsquos then that he turns producerMuch of the characters overarching style seems drawn from the way Iftikhar carried himself Dolly aunty Ahluwalia the films costume designer and I wanted to keep the character as true to the times as we could he saysAble to use physical disguise and tweak his demeanour to appear younger milder or more menacing like he did as Omkaras Langda Tyagi Saif decided that this time the inspiration for the fiery and only slightly sinister Rusi would come from Darth Vader Theres something about a bad guy dressed in frightening formal grace he adds flashing his brand of saucy smileIftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi was an avid polo playerComing handy would be the jaunty pencil moustache adding devilish allure Then the dinner jacket with wide pointed lapels accentuated with sharp shoulders complete with a pocket square red flower pin and fitted highwaist breeches teamed with kneehigh boots And finally the heirloom mdash Iftikhars pocket watch Its the first time I was opinionated on a film set he recalls otherwise I do what I am toldNext the actor speaks in detail about how best to achieve the full impact of a tuxedo You have to keep an eye out for essentials like the peaked lapel the stiffwing collar shirt the pocket squarehellip Do it well or dont do it at all just like anything else in lifeRusis jacketoverJodhpurs look is inspired by this portrait of a young IftikharThe chance to be in the 1940s and live the vintage life was coupled by another joy that of working again with Vishal Bharadwaj after OmkaraNawab of Pataudi Sr above left in suit and cravat with opposition captain AP Sandy Singleton at the toss before the Indians vs Worcestershire tour game in Worcestershire on May 4 1946It was such fun to work with him again His vision is artistic yet commercial It makes me feel like a complete actor When I told Amma that I was doing Rangoon she was happy it was a Vishal Bharadwaj movie You are doing a sensible thing for a change she said he laughs