You have got to hand it to Saif Ali Khan for keeping things just as real as he chooses in the image-obsessed world of celebrity-dom.

The actor is often to be spotted in his regular chappals and shorts on the streets near his home. Recently he was seen shopping at a supermarket with wife Kareena and son Taimur, looking absolutely at ease. No entourage in sight, thank you very much. Quizzed about this shocking lack of starry accoutrements, he grinned, “I should also get these bodyguards around me, na? But I don’t think I can do that.”

It’s true. This Nawab of Pataudi is simply too grounded to put up any pretence and give himself airs. He believes, “There is no air of mystery around celebrities today. I don’t feel the need to constantly present some kind of a front. I come from a confident space and like to be myself. This is how I have been brought up and that is how I hope my children will be.”

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Mention his lack of an ‘airport look’ and such starry must-do’s and he retorts, “There are more important things to do than being dressed up all the time. I think celebrities are doing it for the pictures but somewhere it also takes away from the reality.” And then he drops the killer line – “Sometimes I feel I should dress better as I’m clicked all the time!” That too is absolutely true! Saif, his gorgeous wife, and his even more gorgeous son are the darlings of the paps. Whether a playdate in the neighbouring park or a flight out of the city, this trio inspires a rush of photographers!

However, unlike most stars who pretend to be exasperated by the attention of the paps, Saif is pretty cool about the whole shebang himself. Despite being constantly followed by paparazzi all the time, he shrugs, “Photographers make money, they are not that intrusive, not yet! They are not pointing into the bathroom. We get enough personal time. We just give them a pose ourselves then there is no drama. The relation is pretty much amicable till now.”