But after his next few films ('Dil Tera Diwana', 'Mr. Aashiq', 'Imtihaan', 'Parampara' and many others) didn't fare well, he was on the brink of getting written off. Besides, people found him too "chikna" and feminine for a mainstream hardcore hero. Suddenly he had Yash Chopra's 'Yeh Dillagi' with Akshay Kumar and Kajol, which was a major success. His 'Ole Ole' and 'Hothon Pe Bus Tera Naam' numbers emerged chartbusters. Close on the heels of 'Yeh Dillagi', his 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari' with Akshay also clicked. It was boom-time for Saif again, but not for long, because his next two releases with Akshay bit dust: 'Keemat' and 'Tu Chor Main Sipahi'. He was banking heavily on 'Hameshaa' (with Kajol) which again didn't work. He found relief with 'Kya Kehna' proving to be an average-runner and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', a medium hit. In his kitty, he has a delayed Lawrence D'Souza flick 'Yeh Pyaar Hi To Hai' (with Pooja Bhatt, earlier titled 'Sambandh') , debut director Farhan Akhtar's 'Dil Chahta Hai' (with Aamir Khan, Akshay Khanna, Dimple Kapadia) and an untitled Ram Gopal Varma production with Nana Patekar and Urmila Matondkar.

Saif is married to Amrita Singh and has a daughter Sarah, by name. His career may have seen its crests and troughs, but Saif has always been popular and in the news for his tremendous wit, keen sense of humour, immense affability and bold interviews.