Saif Ali Khan admits to jealousy over Kareena Kapoor working with other actors early in their relationship

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan has opened up with rare honesty about his relationship with Kareena Kapoor, revealing that admiration, vulnerability, and emotional growth have defined their journey together.

One of Bollywood’s most adored power couples, Saif and Kareena have never hesitated to express affection and respect for one another.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Saif looked back on their early days of dating and admitted that seeing Kareena work opposite other actors wasn’t always easy for him.

The actor candidly spoke about feeling jealous at the time, and how navigating those emotions ultimately strengthened their bond.

Saif has previously shared that Kareena was the first working actor he had ever dated.

He also recalled receiving advice from Rani Mukerji, who suggested he approach the relationship by pretending he was dating a male actor instead. Reflecting on that phase now, Saif described Kareena as someone truly extraordinary and someone who effortlessly balances stardom with deeply rooted personal roles.

According to Saif, beyond being a celebrated actor, Kareena naturally embraces her life as a mother, a wife, and a homemaker. 

He emphasized that his family has never imposed expectations on women, and being with Kareena feels completely different from any relationship he has experienced before.

“She is truly an incredible woman, and I am so lucky to be with her because she is one of the most patient and loving people I have met. She is absolutely wonderful. I can go on and on. I know it’s a bit mushy,” he said.

“She makes a wonderful home for us. She’s a very creative person in front of the camera, but she’s equally creative with us.”

“I wasn’t very easy to deal with”: Saif on jealousy and insecurity

Looking back at their early dating days, Saif admitted that he struggled with insecurity when Kareena worked with other male actors. He acknowledged that those feelings came from unfamiliar territory, as he had previously dated women who were not connected to the film industry.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t very easy to deal with. Maybe I was a bit jealous and unsure of how to react to her working with other men. It was all new.

"These are emotions you need to process maturely, and you need a lot of trust and belief in each other. When things are new, and if you’re naturally insecure in a relationship, it can be tricky to navigate.

"Normally, I had gone out with girls who had nothing to do with movies as such. The one that struck me was that my rivals would be her allies, and I was like, ‘How do you work that’. But love triumphs that.”

Saif added that Kareena’s happiness has always come first for him—even if that means applauding the success of someone he might once have considered a rival.

Speculation about Saif and Kareena’s relationship began when they worked together on Tashan. The couple initially chose to keep their romance private, before confirming it publicly at an event in 2007. A year later, Saif famously tattooed Kareena’s name on his arm.

They got married in 2012 and went on to welcome two sons, Taimur Ali Khan in 2016 and Jehangir Ali Khan in 2021.

While Saif stays away from social media, Kareena frequently shares heartfelt moments with him and their children online, giving fans a glimpse into their close-knit family life.