You seem like a very adamant person, can you ever be persuaded?
I can be persuaded easily both by mind and matter. An intellectual can persuade me by opening my mind and a sexy woman can persuade me by shutting my mind.
Apparently, you started the trend of putting only the main technicians’ names in the opening credits but before that everyone’s names used to appear in that slot.
Yes, I did that because I only wanted to put the names of people who matter to the audience and not subject them to a host of names that won’t make any sense. When we are buying a product why should we know the names of all the people who worked on it?
What would be your last wish before your death?
That what all I believed about God not existing is true. If it were untrue and if he really does exist I will be blasted with all the tortures he would subject me to, apart from depriving me of Rambha, Urvashi, Menaka and Thilottama.
You have such intense expressions in your photos. Why don’t you act in a film?
I am too busy acting off-screen.
On what basis do you judge a person? His habits, ability or attitude?
I judge anyone on his/ her ability to be himself/herself without any guilt.
Do you really think American people are more intelligent than us?
Intelligence comes from people and not from countries. What countries do is to provide a system and a platform where intelligence can flourish. That is what America does. It was formed barely 200 years ago without any so-called rich heritage, tradition and culture and it surpassed all of us who have several thousand years of history. Great men are born all over the world but they eventually land up in America. Whether or not people admit to it, fact remains that America is the greatest that is known to us. And the proof lies in the long lines outside the US embassy to get a visa.
What do you think of Carnatic music?
I have never heard a single piece entirely as I would go off to sleep. I grew up on Boney M., Abba and Michael Jackson.
My girlfriend is paying more attention to your column.
Why don’t you put your arms around her and pay attention too?
Have you regretted any mistake in your life?
No, because I just get too busy in making my next mistake.
Why do most Hollywood films look real and ours look fake?
That’s because mostly we fake their movies.
In Rangeela, your name appears alongside Sridevi’s photo.
Well, that was one of the biggest thrills I’ve ever had. If not in real life, I wanted to at least have my name appear next to her photo... Ahhhhhhhhh!