I am not trained to be a director or an actor. I have learnt everything by watching other people work and studying their work.

'Dil Chahta Hai' is not the first film about friendship. 'Lakshya' is not the first film about war and coming of age.

I guess just enjoying what you do and always wanting more of that enjoyment, satisfaction, and putting something together creatively - that gives me a lot of happiness.

When you go to a film set, of course you're going to do your job, and you're excited about being there, but you somehow feel fatigued that you are just doing this day in and day out.

From being in a film and shooting to just being in a studio with my guitar and musicians was a welcome change.

Amitabh Bachchan was the coolest character in every movie.

Most Hindi movies tend to dramatise events. They are very dialogue heavy. Characters don't speak like people normally do in real life.

When not working, my days are lazy.

I take a more holistic approach to fitness than trying to achieve a certain body to display.

If I don't work out, I lose weight instead of gaining it.

I like to stay within the zone of one character. It would disturb me to break away and go into an entirely different territory.

I feel with 'Don 2' I got an opportunity to do a very good action with the kind of pace that I would like an action film to have.

To me 'Qurbani' was a good action film - it was fast, had one plot, and moved along at a pace, and it didn't really divert attention.

To me, action has to come from the plot.

Being healthy is not just about building a body: it is a lifestyle that manifests itself in your general outlook. It makes you more positive and optimistic and increases your energy level.

I think it is important to play a sport. Apart from the joy of it, it helps keep you fit.

'Lakshya' is a different genre of movie. While 'Dil Chahta Hai' could be categorised as a romantic comedy, this is a war drama.

'Haqeeqat' was a good war drama.

The Ladakhis, as a people, are quite laidback.

With 'Dil Chahta Hai' being the first film and 'Lakshya' being the second, what people can expect from Excel Entertainment as a company, and from me as a director, is just good, clean entertainment. And hopefully, some residue of an idea or thought that you can take home and mull over.

I have been a fan of movies from a very young age, and somehow, the magic of that - every single time I hear something or read something that could be made into a wonderful film or something somebody is asking me to be a part of - that connects. It just makes me feel like I'm going to be part of something magical again.

I think if I had a choice, I'd like to be in a film with De Niro.

To hear someone talk about their life - you get to know the way their eyes moisten up, how big the smile is or how comfortable their body language is while talking to someone.

It was interesting to write ad films and scripts for TV shows before I moved on to writing a feature film. That helped me grow as a writer, and I also found out how long I could sit in front of a computer and see something through.

It amazes me how much noise there is on a set while people are trying to focus and do their jobs. But there's some kind of order within that chaos.

I realised that I enjoyed direction while making 'DCH.' The process of putting a film together and working with the cast and crew felt good.

Whatever films I make, the mandate is that it should touch the audiences and engage them from the first scene.

Even when I was writing the script for 'Don,' I suspected it could lead to a sequel.

I cannot imagine of making a film without Boman Irani.

I'm a bit of an extremist.

I wish I'd got my driving license at 18, not 22. I also wish I had graduated earlier, even though I didn't finish college.

Every movie gets exactly what it deserves.

I think, the world over, new ideas have come from young people. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it is rare that new or radical ideas come from old people.

I think all kids are rebellious. It's a part of growing up.

I used to lie a lot as a child, which I now regret. I think it is much easier just to tell the truth.

Definitely, I feel that there is a need for more female producers, directors, and writers.

As much as a man would like to believe that he understands women, there is simply that much that he can write from their point of view or really understand them.

There is a certain highlighting of issues, be it emotional, be it social, or simply an entertainment one: they can be written or directed by a woman differently, with a different voice. I feel that their voice needs to be given more stage and more space.

For 'Rock On,' we not only acted as rock musicians; we also went into the studio to record songs and jammed live to get the concert feel right.

It's very important to enjoy whatever you do in life.

Music was something I had put aside to make movies. Somehow I earlier felt there was only so much creative energy allotted to your life and only that much time to pursue your creativity. But I was wrong.

For me, to consciously seek unpredictable roles would be dangerous.

Every time you work with a new co-star, a whole new dynamic emerges.

To me, 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is definitely a landmark. It has taught me so much.

'BMB' has opened up a world of possibilities. It has inspired me to believe that the really difficult things in life can be achieved by sheer application.

I basically like a bit more control. Even in my personal life, I need things to be done on time. If it's not done, I get impatient.

Difficulty does not deter me. In fact, I find challenges exciting.

I was a complete vagabond till the age of 20, when I got my first job as an assistant director with Pankaj Parashar.

One fear setting on filmmakers is that the audience no longer has any patience. They want things to constantly move.

I feel nervous before performing in live concerts, but it does not last more than five minutes.