I was never considered 'a marketable hero', and never got promoted to that category. I am not complaining - I found another niche - comedy - which is equally enjoyable and brought me as much comfort as I need.
I was near the Niagara Falls where I was shivering and delivering my lines. It was minus 17 degrees and I had gone there without proper thermal wear. Tourists looked at me with horror thinking I had gone nuts.
I may become like an Indian thatha but I won't stop making jokes.
Whenever I see someone wasting water, my heart skips a beat.
Comedians have to entertain the audience within a stipulated time. It is not possible to explain what we intend to convey in a detailed manner. This can only be done in films where comedians are the protagonists.
I rate 'Naan Thaan Bala' as one of the best performances of my career. It was a rare feat, perhaps in Indian cinema, that a popular comedian played the lead role in a film that didn't have even a tinge of humour.
Humour has always been my cup of tea.
I got busy with planting saplings after I started the Green Globe initiative.
I am friendly to all political parties. So, I am able to do my social work freely without any hassles.
If I lean towards one particular party, people would not enjoy my comedy. Also, to enter politics, I should first leave cinema completely.
It is really sad that there's no recognition at the national level for comedy.
Under the guidance of the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, I have been doing this green initiative. My aim is to plant 1 crore sapling in Tamil Nadu.
Humour can always be found in a place where there's fearlessness.
My inspiration for film comedy comes from here. Spend a day on the Madurai streets and you will be amused at the way these people speak and behave. They have an inherent ability to be hilarious.
Children did not come into this world because of you. They came through you. Be grateful to them. They are the proof of your life. Do not thrust your dreams on them. Find out what their wishes are.
If your daughter loves tennis, don't send her to dance classes. Let them learn spirituality. Don't shut them up in air-conditioned rooms where they watch TV all day and snack on chips. Let them get out, play in the dirt, sweat it out and come back home.
Bring up your daughters with courage. When the future becomes one filled with questions, they might have to fight against it. Women must be able to defend themselves.
It is very difficult to popularise comic characters.
I request big films to give way for small movies as there are umpteen number of such films waiting to see the light of the day.
I was introduced in 1987, but it was only by 1996 that I became a hit with the audiences.
Students should respect trees just as they respect their mothers.