I am very much aware that I am considered a 'strong woman.' And I am also aware that that is only because I had a child outside wedlock.
Doing theatre in Delhi didn't guarantee success in Mumbai.
Everything is destined, I believe... People you meet and end up marrying.
I made a few mistakes in the beginning of my career. I didn't have anybody to guide me. I didn't have a secretary. I didn't call up directors, or meet people asking for roles.
I'm not a strong woman at all. And I'm not a feminist. In fact, I'm very weak.
If you do one big commercial film and it's a hit, everybody takes you for that particular kind of a role.
The fact that my parents were both educated and held certain values very dearly, like honesty, self-respect and integrity, meant that I could steer clear of many pitfalls.
In PhD, my topic was Stage Techniques in Sanskrit Drama - theory and practice. I wanted to combine my drama training with Sanskrit drama, which has a very rich history in literature.
I think everyone is lonely whether you are in a good marriage or a bad marriage somewhere down the line you become lonely, and to get rid of that loneliness you have to try really hard.
I can look Punjabi, South Indian, gareeb and ameer too.
I won't get a role if I say I want to do that. It depends on how saleable you're at that time.
I didn't do anything with the thought that I want to go against society or bend any rules.
I was offered 'Bigg Boss' twice but I can't do such shows.
Whether I act or direct I ensure that there is a social message attached.
Saath Saath' was my first big mistake!
I've always decided that I would never be dependant on a man.
I can laugh at my own grief.
I've realised that nothing that happens is so grim that life can't go on. Life always goes on, no matter what. Even in the grimmest situation, I see hope.
I know I do good work.
Who ever lives life on their own terms?
I'd like do a film which I can carry entirely on my own.
I lie very little and am a very straight-forward person.
My image is a media-built image. I'm not what my image is.
This whole thing about a woman staying alone and being happy is just a myth. Everyone needs someone in their lives.
Nobody wants to take a risk with scripts that push the envelope.
