It has been great journey from where I have started to where I am today. I am really blessed with God's grace.

I come from a very humble background. My father had to work really hard to become an assistant director. For a large part of his youth, he worked in a mill and took up odd jobs to make ends meet. We lived in a small room and could only afford a meal a day.

Apart from 'VIP' being a blockbuster movie, the various characters such as mine, the Luna bike I use in the movie, the lovable amma and appa, a pet dog named Harry Potter, the innocent brother, etc., had a huge reach among the audiences.

I don't know why, but rain comes into my head the minute I think of my childhood.

While I do not believe in idol worship, I believe in energy.

I never wanted to let go of the opportunity, and so I hit upon 'VIP 2'.

There is no such thing as a Bollywood hero or Hollywood hero. All you see on the screen is the lead actor's interpretation of the role that has been conceived by the writer.

Every man plays many roles. So far, I have played father the best.

What I didn't expect was 'VIP' becoming something of a cult and one of my biggest hits.

Trust me, it has been anything but easy to make it as an actor.

I had to fight; I had to fall, and I had to get hurt to be where I am.

I am not answerable to what happens with my personal life.

Music is my breath, blood and food - without music I would perish; the actor in me would die.

I've improved as an actor, thanks to my wonderful directors. As a person, I've changed, too; I was 16 when I did 'Thullavatho Ilamai,' and I'm 32 now. With age, I've sobered down. I'm calmer; I can see things more clearly now.

While shooting for 'Kodi' at Pollachi, I got this new idea for 'VIP 2'.

My mother's prayers protect me. Negativity, nothing reaches me.

I have wanted to direct for quite some time, but I wanted to be ready and know what I am doing. I wanted to know the basics.

My mother is most attached to my brother because she has the feeling that she could not provide him anything. By the time I was born, at least I got a meal and a half a day, but he sometimes got only water.

Definition of love differs for different humans. If I will talk about me then its something that makes you forget about everything else.

As a child, I used to see legends holding the 'black lady' and would think that I would get it someday.

The screenplay has to be gripping. That's when the film will work. Then, I see how much I can relate to the character I'm playing.

As an actor, I do not want to stick to a particular route.

I'm happy that the kind of films I'm doing right now is reaching a wider audience, and I'm looking forward to direct Hindi films as well.

You can't always expect to work with a director who guarantees success.

My energy is undoubtedly my two sons Yatra and Linga, and they are my all-time inspirations.

I would be lying if I said I did not feel bad when 'Shamitabh' failed, but I was proud to be associated with a film like this. If it were easy to know the pulse of the audience, then all movies would be blockbusters.

A villain can be stylish, and his actions don't have to be explained. Heroes are boring in comparison, even anti-heroes, as there's always a justification for their bad actions.

In Tamil and Telugu, I have to do mainstream commercial films. Irrespective of what I want to do, the audience wants to see me in that 'mass' space.

I entered the film industry because my family forced me into it.

Your stage presence is as good as your screen presence.

Unfortunately, I can only act; I do not have the looks, but I am very happy with what God has given me.

In the beginning, I was riddled with major complexes about my looks. Even now, here and there, these complexes crop up. But as the days progressed, I learnt to handle them much better.

My dream is to become a director. I want to direct a Hindi film.

In my personal life, if you ask me something which I feel is important, I will talk about it. Like, if you ask me about my sons, I will talk.

I think it is not easy to impress a girl, especially with the looks that I have. It is quite tough.

I have no clue as to where my interest and love for music came from. In fact, I have never learnt any music either, though I wish that I could just close my eyes and play the piano - that is my most cherished desire.

People find pleasure in hating someone. I think it's the beginning of kali. If someone has betrayed you, it's understandable that you hate them. But hating someone you don't even know... that's something I will never understand.

It all started with my father's directorial debut, 'En Raasavin Manasile,' which starred Raj Kiran sir as the lead.

I am far more confident now because of the love people have showered on me. Their acceptance is what keeps me going.

I am a very positive person in real life.

I don't mind acting in Hindi films, but the script has to suit me. It has to be a boy-next-door role because that's the image I have in Tamil cinema.

Ilaiyaraaja is my most favourite music director. His music was my lullaby, his music was my food, his music was my childhood, his music was my first love, his music was my failure, his music was my first kiss, my first love failure, my success... he is in my blood.

Kajol ma'am is full of energy. Her energy is so infectious that it motivated people to work with the same enthusiasm. She is a very friendly and warm person. We had a great time working with her.

When 'stuff' hits the fan, it has a way of making you stronger.

Kajol as Vasundhara is a tough cookie. Raghu and her world collides, and they have different ideologies. The plot revolves around their core beliefs and their disagreement with each other.

I don't know if I am a good, average, or bad writer, but I write fast. Everything I observe, my experiences and imagination come together while writing.

I'm going to be quite choosy about singing. If I connect to a tune and like what I am offered to sing, I'll do it. I am an actor by profession, not a singer.

It's a huge burden to be known as Mr. Rajinikanth's son-in-law. Once I married his daughter Aishwarya in 2004, I lost my identity.

I prefer being called director Aishwarya Dhanush's husband. She and I share our passion for cinema, but at home, we hardly talk about it. Instead, we share other interests.

It is so nice to get so many compliments from fans and people from within the industry.