I don't think that in humor and jokes, in whatever way they are done, there is any kind of disrespect.Collection: Humor
I have always hoped and prayed that everyone grows in their lives, but I still want to be the smallest person. I am scared to become big. It fills you with unnecessary things such as ego, jealousy, etc.Collection: Jealousy
Everyone is born, and has a death date. The days in between are meant to live, which is why I am not afraid of anyone.Collection: Death
My wife's half-Indian, her father's from Uganda and she was born in Canada. Her sister speaks French and their family speaks a little Gujarati, and I'm talking about Gujarati from 1940! And just think - Rajpal Yadav in the middle of all this. What a contrast!Collection: Family
Where I come from in U.P., there is a whole settlement of Punjabis who converted sandy, barren lands into green fields swaying with agricultural produce. So, I have always had great respect for the Punjabi community.
I always believe that if we Hindus are like milk, Punjabis, Sikhs are the butter, the best part of that milk. Brought up with that kind of respect for Punjabis, I always desired to play a true Sikh character on screen someday.
While shooting in Patiala, I never felt as if I was shooting here for first time, such was the love I got from the locals and Punjabi actors shooting with me.
Until we got married, Radha didn't utter a word of English and now she won't speak Hindi. Her Hindi's pretty good actually - she learnt it while watching Hindi movies.
I can't be typecast as a comedian. Only an actor capable of doing three-dimensional roles can do comedy.
Body shaming comes from prejudice and it does not hold any importance in my life. All that matters is my hard work, my mission and my vision; now that shouldn't be short!
I never shoot for a film telling myself that I have to make people laugh. I can't even do stand-up comedy.
I am an actor and can perform any role depending on the requirement of the film. I have done several serious and multi-dimensional roles.
I speak Marathi fluently and even during shoots I make it a point to speak in the language for most of the time.
Besides acting, I had learnt a lot about entertainment at the Bhartendu Natya Academy, Lucknow and the National School of Drama, Delhi, which I had not been able to put to use. That inspired me to take up direction.
Even though I've acted in many films, I have directed for the first time, and I will always consider myself a student.
When somebody offers you a role which you might not have done for a long time then it becomes a challenge for you.
I call it a comedy film, but I feel that is because 'Sholay' is a complete film. It is the best in every aspect. You see the music, the editing, dialogues, action, drama, tragedy, and the emotions of this film and you will find everything is perfect. It is a flawless film.
When I had entered Bollywood, I had decided that in the first decade of my career, I will do what others ask me to do, and in the next decade, I will do what I want.
While Bollywood still remains my priority, I always wanted to do regional cinema. There are so many people who don't know Hindi, so I decided to do regional films wherein even those who don't know me can see my work.
I love to experiment with my choice of roles. There's nothing to lose or gain when you do that. The returns are either zero or hundred per cent, but in either case you have the satisfaction of knowing that you tried something new.
Challenges are what inspire me. I therefore accept whatever comes my way, be it supporting roles or character roles.
I personally don't identify with the character of a man who suffers inferiority complex due to a difference in height with his wife. I am a very confident person in real life and have no such hang-ups.
It's true that I have never done something like 'Yaar Dhokebaaz, Pyaar Dhokebaaz.' I colored my hair golden-brown. I am bare-chested in the song and have my own style of dancing. I thoroughly enjoyed what I was doing.
When I decided to direct a film, I went through around 200 to 300 scripts. Out of which, 12 subjects were finalized and 'Aata Pata Laapta' emerged as the winner.
I don't like the tag of comedy. I think I have done all kind of roles - negative, serious and entertaining.
I feel comedy is one of the strongest emotions that an actor portrays and the most powerful one too.
I think the law is equal for everyone and no one is immune from the law of the nation, the legal system.
'Padosan' is a three-dimensional film. The chemistry between Saira Banu, Sunil Dutt and Mehmood is too good.
Some people don't have hands, some don't have eyes - these people's struggle in life is real. We have been blessed with everything - a pair of eyes, ears, hands. What do we have to worry about? About having one more foot added to our height? Just because I am not six feet, won't I be respected?