'In many ways, I am glad my parents were not together'

'My father may not be there for me the way he is for Taimur, but that doesn't make me feel any less special.'

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Sara Ali Khan was born to be a star. Or so she thinks.

She was a star in her head from childhood. I first saw Sara when she was 9 or 10 at the Screen awards where I had accompanied Sanjay Leela Bhansali. That evening, Black swept the awards. We were all in a celebratory mood.

In the middle of all this, a chubby girl walked up to Sanjay, did an Umrao Jaan adaab and left.

Who is that girl? I asked Sanjay.

That's Saif (Ali Khan) and Amrita Singh's daughter. She's already behaving like a star. Years later when I recounted this incident to Sara, she replied, This sounds very much like me. I am what I am. I guess it comes from being honest, and that's the only way I can be. Let those who can lie convincingly do it. I can't! I start fumbling the minute I lie. Staying true to myself suits me just fine.

When I first interviewed Sara, she struck me as clever and confident.