Okay, you did a fear audit on yourself. You wrote a list of all the things that made you afraid, made you worry and kept you awake at nights. What next? You need to get a new pair of eyes that can see things your regular eyes can’t. Intuitive eyes that notice subtle stuff — like how most of your everyday actions and decisions are ordered by your hidden fears. It’s not hard to get them.

You are a well-known person. How difficult is it for a celebrity to find balance in normal life when one is under constant public scrutiny? Would you have preferred a normal life, like many others?
Harleen

What is the difference between work and hard work?
Work is when you are expending energy to achieve what you want and hard work is when you don’t enjoy the process.

May 3, 2013, the big 100th birthday of Indian cinema, went by without any firecrackers and fanfare, didn’t it? Unless you count the official announcement that the National Film Awards will be presented in New Delhi on 3-05 every year from now on.

Of all human emotions, fear is the most devious, most powerful. Once you get traumatised, fear acquires a power to twist your mind into acting in strange ways for the rest of your life.

I was really close to one of my cousins but as we grew up, because of family differences, we too grew apart. I am still very fond of him and feel sorry for him, as he hasn’t been able to do well in his studies. He is arrogant and rude to others. I want to talk to him and explain to him that he is wrong and should change his attitude. When I tried once I got arrogance in return. What can I do?
Anonymous

I find you more interesting as a person rather than as a filmmaker. Why doesn’t your personality reflect in your films?

N ow Ranb-ir Kapo-or may be yapping at their heels — and about time too. Yet, wherever I go (which is not to many places and parties but still), the top three conversation pieces are the Khan trio, followed by Amitabh Bachchan.

I’m a 21-year-old guy. I have never really had a drink in my life, although I have always been curious and have thought about trying it for the experience. Most of my friends have pretty crazy stories starting with “That time I got drunk,...” and some of those fun things they did. I would never imagine doing them sober but I think those things make for a better/more interesting life experience. Also, at social events, I tend to not loosen up as much as those who are drinking. I want to try alcohol. But my parents have been really good to me and if they come to know that I drink, they would be devastated. What should I do?
Anonymous

How does a bad film happen?
A film happens over a long period of time, over decisions taken at various points in time — influenced by factors and circumstances pertaining to that time. Once a filmmaker decides to act upon some preliminary ideas, he/she will quickly become blind as to how it is shaping up — as a parent is blind to the flaws of his/her child.