“I’m a student. I want to do better, and I want directors who can find the actress in me and be my teachers. I’m interested in the whole process of editing, post-production and direction.”

I was more excited than scared, at the opportunity to work in an English movie.

I always knew I would be successful. So there was no element of surprise.

I was studying to be an architect, I wasn’t plotting to join the movies. Films were just another career option. I took acting up with the same schoolgirl enthusiasm I had for examinations. Acting is a job and I take it very seriously.

I have always been a person who is extremely comfortable in my skin. I have always just been myself in all these years on the public platform.

Comedy is difficult for an actor. But I think I have a good sense of humor and manage to make people laugh and make them happy.

The larger the audience the better. The more pockets in the world, the more interesting and exciting because it just makes it that much more liberating. This makes it that much more liberating for the various facets of creativity to be explored.

Beauty is transient and changes with time.

Even prior to marriage and motherhood, it’s always been about prioritising and focusing on what you can commit to. That’s been my approach to every aspect of my life, be it my relationships or my professional commitments.

Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It’s really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time.

I have a great story to tell and I tell it well. No holds barred.

I’m just an average woman with average concerns.

For me, it’s not about breaking big in Hollywood, but having interesting experiences.

Right now, I’m following the Buddhist principle: Smile as abuse is hurled your way and this too shall pass.

Sexy in India is not considered positive. But, with today’s crop of fresh faces in the modelling arena, being sexy is an asset.

My biggest concern is always the students who are working toward a certain career – when they limit themselves to just that one option. They need to know that the world is huge – it’s an ocean, and there are so many options. It’s not the end of the world if they don’t get to pursue an apparent childhood dream.

I know for a fact that if there’s a role which I am suited for, I’ll be signed on. I’ll never go begging.

You have to trust your instincts. There is a moment when an actor has it, and he knows it.

Don Siegel last advice to me was ‘Don’t short yourself.’ He said the tendency is when an actor’s directing is to kind of you want to work on everybody else but you’re going to short yourself. He said, take the time to do a good job with yourself so that you’re satisfied with it.

A star on a movie set is like a time bomb. That bomb has got to be defused so people can approach it without fear.

In other words, I wouldn’t like to be an actor if I could only be real. I like to get wild, behaviourally wild, and it’s crazy to think of any form where it’s just one way.

Frankly, I got into the movies because I like the movies a lot.

I want to be an actor, I am just not very comfortable talking about myself.

I have no idea what I’m doing, and that’s kind of how I love it.

A lot of actors think that what we do is so important, like we’re saving people’s lives or something.