I love the stage, I love the process of acting in theatre, but unfortunately, it doesn't pay the bills.
Everything has its advantages and disadvantages.
Men are like mascara, they run at the slightest display of emotion.
Everything has a place and time.
In a country like India, we don't want to put everyone in one big mixture. We have a different language, culture and cuisine for each region, even though we are united in the larger context. We are more like a fruit salad, where each ingredient has its own specialty, each fruit its distinct flavor, and together, the salad makes a tasty dish, without losing the individuality of each constituent.
You are probably right when you say that I could get a role in any producer's film if I just asked.
I'm not the sort to wallow in nostalgia about the good old days.
Love just happens, you know.
I do believe that with more worldwide influences, the coming of the internet age and digital media, the flow of information is far greater, and people's understanding can expand more easily.
The Anglo-Saxon world saw India as an underdeveloped country. The land of snake charmers, the cows on the street, that "ex-colony-backward-nation" kind of viewpoint, very condescending. Europe on the other hand, saw India in a more romantic, mystical, spiritual way, as a place that's a fountain of wisdom.
In the 30 years of my career, I have explored all possible mediums, except radio.
I think worldwide, the movement has been towards accepting and respecting the individuality and the rights of gay people, lesbians and transgender people. Here, however, age-old cultural mindsets - which also comes from Victorian times, affect the thinking of people.
You see, I have many friends in the Hindi film industry.
It is time that India legally respected the rights of LGBT persons. It is very sad that this is not enshrined in Indian law in India so far, but I do believe that soon, we will come on par with respecting the individuality of people with different sexualities.
Delhi is my emotional home. I still dream of owning a home there.
I can't play Mahatma Gandhi.
Actors are limited by their appearance and while it has cost me some roles, it has got me some very important roles too.
The advantage my looks gave me was that I wasn't limited to just playing Indian roles when I was abroad, and I've been abroad for almost twenty-five years.
I could play Arab roles, even German roles, Italian roles because I had that look.
I grew up speaking English and Punjabi. Just living and working in Punjab and smelling the early morning air and sitting down and having paranthas and lassi and all that was marvellous.
When you are a filmmaker, you need to be rooted, because committing yourself to producing or directing a film is a good three-year process.
I think the Indian model of respecting the uniqueness of each religion and, of every state is what makes the country great.
India can't be looked at as a country; it's more of a continent.
The average Englishman has no idea of the dynamism in the music scene here.
Osho is one of India's greatest mystics.... I see him as one of the world's great teachers, thinkers, philosophers and guides of our times. I have enormous respect for his world vision and the kind of International Communities he is building. I have always felt his influence in my life.
