What I learnt was a real star never comes on set wearing stardom.
I don't want to make films that are constantly pleasing the audience, it is not my tradition.
I always wanted to be in Bollywood and the first step towards that was by participating in school plays. I would get awards for my acting and that motivated me to get into Bollywood.
I'm a hardcore reality lover. I love characters that people can relate with and yet a tinge of grey shade.
I enjoyed writing 'Tashan' very much.
My life has been a series of slightly happy accidents.
I only know a few people who I call friends and a few who've given me the respect, like Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, Aamir Khan and Mani Ratnam.
I truly enjoy working with kids because they teach me something and it allows me to get in touch with few things that are a bit personal to me.
Kanpur is my own town. I was born and brought up here.
It was in Kanpur where I got exposed to the art of filmmaking.
Bollywood is a place which is completely free from caste, region and religion. Some people might work in the industry with the help of networking but I feel is that it's your artistic competence that gets you work in industry.
Films are made for audience's appreciation but films are also made for artistic satisfaction.
I never approach an actor till I have finished the script.
If I want to tell a story to 10 people, I don't need a star. If I want to tell it to 10,000 people, the best case scenario is you get an actor and a star.
Amitabh Bachchan is such a senior actor, a big star, everyone is in awe of him, but he is such a great guy to work with.
What excited me to do 'Thugs of Hindostan' was to make a film in the large format about a character, who is not inherently noble.
I will do films I want to make. I will never make a film for commerce.
Films make stars and stars never make films.
I love all the characters I write.
I can only go with my gut and say what I would like to do, and then my producer comes in and makes it happen.
