“I had long ago discovered that when a word or formula refused to come to mind the best thing for it was to think of something else: tigers for instance or oatmeal.”

One of the marks of a truly great mind, I had discovered, is the ability to feign stupidity on demand.

Although it is pleasant to think about poison at any season, there is something special about Christmas, and I found myself grinning.

Whenever I’m with other people, part of me shrinks a little. Only when I am alone can I fully enjoy my own company.

To be frivolous time-wasters, delighted in putting her favorite volumes into her grandchildren’s hands.

I always knew that I wanted to work on my own material – something that would be more long-lasting than short-lived electronic transmissions.

And I had long ago become accustomed to being called ‘Ophelia Daphne Flavia, damn it.

It is not unknown for fathers with a brace of daughters to reel off their names in order of birth when summoning the youngest.

I was an early reader, and my grandmother, who as a child had been forbidden to read by a father who believed books.

I’m at that age where I watch such things with two minds.

My grandmother flew only once in her life, and that was the day she and her new husband ascended into the skies of Victorian London in the wicker basket of a hot-air balloon.

Compared with my life Cinderella was a spoiled brat.

I fling myself down on my back, throw my arms and legs out so that I look like an asterisk, and gaze at the sky.

TV and film taught me to think cinematically. Teaching others to edit, for example, provides a great deal of insight into the millions of ways in which given elements can be put together to tell a story.

What intrigued me more than anything else was finding out the way in which everything, all of creation.

Chicken fizz! O Lord, protect all of us who toil in the vineyards of experimental chemistry!

They were soon to emigrate to Canada, and the aerial ride was meant to be a last view of their beloved England.

I am proud to be a vegetarian and I am against those who eat meat. Go green to be fit, that’s the best way for me at least.

Your attitude is either your best friend or your worst enemy, your greatest asset or your greatest liability

I never said that I wanted to be the only company, is it my fault that I ran my company well? Wouldn’t you want the best for your company? Also consider that I started of small.

I should not think that I have to win every match and what others will think; that will create extra pressure. I just have to give best on court.

Even in India the Hindi film industry might be the best known but there are movies made in other regional languages in India, be it Tamil or Bengali. Those experiences too are different from the ones in Bombay.

I just take on what I can commit to completely at that point in time, and that way you’ll be able to give your best.

When Shah Rukh stated, “Bhootnath… will be among the top three hits of the year!”, I told him, “Aapke moonh mein dudh, ghee, shakkar sab!

Life Is Waiting for You, Give Your Best Shot.