Saif Ali Khan is perhaps one of the very few Bollywood stars who doesn't mind experimenting with his roles, even at the peak of his popularity. Remember when during the last decade, easily his best phase in the career National Award notwithstanding, Saif Ali Khan had done the quirky off-beat Being Cyrus, when he was in the midst of delivering hits in Kal Ho Naa Ho, Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste? Although he might not be in the prime of box office form, Saif is not sticking himself to conventional roles to play safe. Instead, he did a web-series in Sacred Games and won a lot of appreciation for his role in that.

Even his Bollywood roles are quite interesting, and we are pretty much excited about the fact that Saif has confirmed that he is playing the antagonist in Ajay Devgn's big-budget period drama, Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior. Okay, not exactly the antagonist, in his words, but an 'anti-hero'.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Saif had talked about the role, without divulging too much information about it. He had said, "Let’s just call him an anti-hero. It’s a cool part and I’ve already started shooting." Talking more about the film, he added, "I respect Ajay and like the way he looks at life. I’m happy to be a part of this huge historical which will be a screen extravaganza, a post- Baahubali kind of experience in 3D. Ajay loves cinema, is a great producer, and this is the right film to make today as it highlights patriotism and heroism. Kids will love it, so will the rest of the country."

Though there were talks that he will be playing Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj in the film, going by the hints Saif has thrown in the interview, it looks like he will either be playing Udaybhan Rathod, the fort-keeper who tries to hold the  fort of Sinhagad from Shivaji's commander Taanaji Malusare (in his swansong battle) or Jai Singh, a Mughal Army Chief under whom Udaybhan Rathod worked. Know how cool Saif is playing roles with grey shades seen in Being Cyrus, Ek Haseena Thi and of course, Omkara, can't wait to see this one!

Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior is directed by Marathi film-maker Om Raut, making his Bollywood debut here and is scheduled to release on November 22, 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 15, 2018 01:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).