Saif Ali Khan has long been open about his love for books, and a recent conversation with Esquire India gave fans a rare peek into the novels that have shaped his thinking. The actor spoke about stories that move him emotionally, challenge popular narratives and linger long after the last page.
Why Nilanjana Roy’s Black River struck a chord
One title Saif returned to with obvious admiration is Black River by Nilanjana Roy. He describes it as much more than a crime thriller. “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,” he told Esquire.
Saif was so moved by the book that he bought the rights to it. “I love the story so much that I bought the rights to the book and we’re trying to make a movie out of it,” he revealed, while acknowledging that turning it into a film is taking time. He called the novel “lyrical,” “dramatic,” and “really poetic, beautiful,” noting that its emotional weight goes far beyond the mystery plot. He quoted the book’s own description, saying it reads like “an ode to an India that might not exist anymore.”
From page to screen — patiently
The news that Saif holds the film rights makes Black River an exciting prospect for audiences who enjoy adaptations rooted in social and emotional depth. Saif’s cautious tone about the timeline suggests he wants to honour the novel’s texture rather than rush the process.
A soft spot for ghost stories: Lafcadio Hearn
Beyond contemporary Indian fiction, Saif also revealed a love for well-crafted supernatural tales. He named Japanese Ghost Stories by Lafcadio Hearn as one of his favourites, praising Hearn’s life story and his immersion into Japanese culture.
“I love very well-written ghost stories,” Saif said, highlighting that Hearn retold Japanese folk tales in rich, poetic prose. For Saif, the attraction lies not only in eerie moments but in the emotional and literary elegance behind the stories.
Pandora’s Jar: a fresh look at Greek myths
Saif’s reading list also includes Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes, a book that offers a feminist retelling of women from Greek mythology. He described the collection as “a kind of feminist take on all the famous women in Greek myth and history,” explaining how it reframes figures traditionally cast as monsters.
Medusa — a different perspective
Saif singled out Medusa as an example of how myths are often told through a limited lens. “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,” he said, adding that the new reading left a strong impression on him: “I’ve always felt something for her.”
What Saif’s book choices reveal
Taken together, his picks point to a clear pattern: Saif Ali Khan gravitates toward stories that question dominant narratives, explore emotional truths, and offer layered cultural or historical perspectives. Whether it’s a lyrical crime novel, poetic ghost stories or a feminist retelling of myth, he seems drawn to books that combine literary craft with moral and emotional depth.
For fans of Saif and readers alike, his recommendations are a reminder that celebrities’ reading lists can open doors to books that challenge, comfort and stay with you long after you finish them.
