Our society is full of hypocrites and irrational people.Collection: Society
It's so cool to be trendy and be flooded with compliments.Collection: Cool
With all due respect, I don't think that having eight-pack abs or 21-inch biceps matter.Collection: Respect
Everybody says that 'Balika Vadhu' is the best thing to have happened to me, but I pray for the strength to work hard.Collection: Strength
I just want people to respect me as an actor. Now, whether that makes me a star or not doesn't really matter.Collection: Respect
It feels really grateful, thankful, and happy when your work is appreciated.Collection: Thankful
Recognition is a reward in itself. Any form of appreciation, even a small word, is important.
I can read Gujarati and speak some, too!
The MeToo movement has made everyone more professional. The trashy aspects of filmmaking are now eliminated. There is certainly fear and caution among those men who think they can get away with any behaviour. At the same time, we have to be careful about not overdoing the enthusiasm of the MeToo movement.
I have always admired Mr. Naseeruddin Shah, Mr. Anupam Kher, the late Om Puri ji, and Amitabh Bachchan.
It's been a very long journey, and people have been immensely kind. They're not tired of watching me on television for a decade; they want to see more of me.
I'm not a trained actor. I have neither read acting books nor gone to acting school. But I have certain fundamentals on how I approach a character; the basic skeleton of my preparation is based on observations from real life.
I'm really grateful to God for whatever I have.
In 2008, while I was shooting a TV show, a woman came all the way from Odisha to Baroda to meet me. It turned out she was newly married; she said she had run away and wanted to marry me! We had to call the local police, and it turned out her family had filed a missing person's report.
Those who talk to themselves are the truest actors.
I would be lying if I would say that I never wanted to be a lead actor. But at the same time, I would say it's a lot of responsibility also; it's too much responsibility.
I want to remove the curtain of pretence from all of my characters.
I never thought the media would be interested in me - this is very surreal.
'Rise' is a fun web series but one that tackles the practical realities of our lives. It is a story that most of us experience in some or the other form, and that is what got me excited about the story.
All my characters are quite relatable, as they are flawed, true, and honest. All of us are flawed; nobody is pure and pious.
'Lootera' happened nearly 10 years after television. It was the first film I auditioned for.
I have seen ups and downs. When my chips are down, I remind myself of the time when Aamir Khan spoke to me over the phone and praised my work in 'Dil Dhadakne Do.' What big a validation that is, someone of Aamir Khan's stature to be initiating a call with someone like me. It's a confidence boost!
From my experience, I can affirm that I don't really know how the women see the world like, but it seems to be quite different from how men do.
One thing is for sure: that women are far more compassionate, empathetic, sensitive, and emotional in comparison to men.
I always believed in curating content, and the only way to do in our country is by turning producer. So then, I thought, lets turn producer and see how it goes.
Anything that's good and has a certain amount of quality, slowly but surely, it will be accepted.
I think what I look for in a script, it's the relatability quotient that matters the most.
When people watch my movies and web series, I want them to either see themselves in those characters or something they can relate to.
Traveling is not just a pleasure, but it also gets you to meet so many people, experience new things in life and, in return, expand your horizon so much.
I don't like repeating things and look out for work that could challenge me.
I don't hover over the thought of only playing a protagonist.
If you do a brilliant work and if the audience don't like it, what's the point.
I don't see midgets as abnormal people.
I'll be honest and say that looks are important for me. But ultimately, it all boils down to how much a girl loves.
Had I not been in a relationship, I would have no issues falling in love with a midget. I wouldn't mind as long as she loves me and takes care of me and my family.
Growing up with Koli boys is a different experience. It teaches you survival.
I was out with my friends when a casting agent came up and asked me if I was interested in acting.
I grew up watching English films and listening to The Doors and The Beatles.
Television has an unparalleled reach.
There is no denying that TV pays really well.
I agree when people say TV is regressive. I would go back to TV only for the money.
I was associated with Shaimak Davar for three and a half years and learnt a lot from him.
Unfortunately, my dancing skills never came to the fore, as I got involved in acting on television, where an actor doesn't get too many opportunities to dance.
Every character has its priorities, its path, its trajectory. So you prepare differently for each.
I love playing the common man.
We generally pretend to be something to survive in a society. So the characters I play, I want them to be wholesome characters. They are not necessarily the most wise people, but they do have a heart and soul.
As an actor, it's important to feel for the character, as you will be watched by audience, and when you start feeling your character, you share a sense of happiness and achievement.
I've hardly ever played urban characters.
I am proud to have played so many non-urban characters because I feel the heart of real India beats in the non-urban areas.
There is unlimited scope for a film to expand and grow on the Internet.