Mumbai: Having had his initial education in England, it earned him plenty of nicknames and not without reason. This khandani scion of a mega estate was considered a brat by his schoolmates and earned the nickname of chhote nawab, and thanks to his aristocratic lifestyle had the dubious combination of being arrogant as well.

Son of former cricketing legend MAK Pataudi and superstar Sharmila Tagore, the critics only gave Saif Ali Khan a two-year run in the ferociously cutthroat Indian film industry where an anglicized Hindi film hero normally would not be able to make it.

Nevertheless, 'Lady Luck' decided to smile on Saif and despite the average success of his debut film, he received enough offers to keep him busy.

Unfortunately for Saif, most of these ventures sank without a trace. Saif Ali Khan, who was in the news more for his amorous escapades than his celluloid ones, would have packed his bags and gone home.

However, before he had thrown in the towel, there was Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai and overnight he had a change of fortune.

Having been panned up to that point by the audiences and critics alike, Saif was pleasantly surprised to have the accolades that were coming his way.

Undoubtedly, like most actors, he needed a few breaks and the right roles to prove his has talent. In addition to the wonderful performance in Dil Chahta Hai, let us not forget his superb performance opposite the King Khan in Kal Ho Naa Ho.

If last year's mega hits - Parineeta and Salaam Namaste - are any indication, this Khan is making a name for himself. With a name like Khan, this is not going to be easy, as he is one of many Khans in the industry, which can be a benefit and a hindrance.

Saif is not yet ranked among the ruling Khans of the Hindi film industry, however he is in the court. If he continues to give performances such as the ones mention as well as his most recent, Landa Tyagi in the new release Omkara, it won't be long before he, too, is a crown prince among the Khans.

His current role as Iago alias Landa Tyagi in Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, has him well on his way to King Khan's court.

The character Saif plays is completely unrepentant about his actions and feels no need to justify his evil manoeuvrings. He is what he is - ruthless, conniving and unapologetic.

It is to Khan's great credit that from the intonation of his voice to his body language, down to his slightest mannerisms - that of a rustic from the interiors of a Uttar Pradesh small town - all communicate the characters drive and base greed to sheer perfection. Saif deserves great esteem for interpreting his character with great effect.

There is always a character we love to hate and Saif's is just such a character.

So, it looks like MAK Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore's son has arrived and in style.

Much to our great joy.