Can't differentiate between them, can't replace one with the other: Saif Ali Khan on raising Sara, Ibrahim, Taimur

Saif Ali Khan in his upcoming film Jawaani Jaaneman will be seen as a father to a 20-year-old girl (Alaya F), but he has no idea of her existence until she shows up at his door. In real life, the actor is a doting father to three kids - daughter Sara Ali Khan, who is in her 20s, Ibrahim Ali Khan, who is 19 and the youngest one Taimur Ali Khan, who is of three years of age.

During a recent interaction with Mumbai Mirror, Saif was quizzed if he was an absentee father in real life. To which the talented actor stated, "The character I’m playing in the film doesn’t know he has a daughter; it comes as a surprise, so it hits him differently. I may not have been responsible at various times while in my 20s, but I’ve always been there and ready to do the best that I can do at that time for my kids. I have never felt like an absentee father."

When asked about how different it is to bring up Taimur from Sara and Ibrahim, Saif replied, "I sometimes call Taimur Ibrahim or Sara; love is a funny thing with your children because, on one hand, you can’t differentiate between them and on the other, you can’t replace one with the other. Even if one is annoying, the other can’t make you feel better. They are all individuals in their heart and head."

He added, "The difference, I suppose, is that I’m a little more patient now, whereas when Sara and Ibrahim were young, I was busy trying to build my career. And since I didn’t know what I wanted, I was a bit more selfish when it came to giving them more time. I’m still a bit selfish with my time, but I’m much more patient than I was. When we’re in London, we go to my friend Salim’s house. Everyone’s around, including the kids, and I can just sit and watch them run around."