'Not A Love Story' is inspired by true events, but it is not based on those events completely. When I first read about the Maria Susairaj case, I was fascinated with the psychological aspects, that two seemingly very ordinary people can go completely berserk.

With 'Daud,' basically, I wanted to make a very 'Mad Max' kind of a film: that was my original intention.

Even the biggest flops have been liked by a few select people.

To see Sridevi making tea in Boney Kapoor's kitchen was a huge letdown. I won't forgive him because he brought the angel down from heaven to the kitchen of his apartment.

I like people who have clarity about their work.

I hate the word 'break.' It's just a business deal at the end of the day so there's no such thing as giving a break.

I don't want to answer questions about my favourite food or holiday spot.

I wrote 'Kshana Kshanam' with the one and only purpose of impressing Sridevi. 'Kshana Kshanam' was my love letter to her.

When I have a new idea, I'm charged up and want to start the film immediately, but I simply don't have the patience to wait for stars.

It is stupid to think the audience is a bunch of fools who can be manipulated by long titles and NRI romances.

Language is just a communication tool; it is the content that decides the fate of a film.

My favourite virtue is not having any.

Any film I make, my intention is always to make people like it.

In Telugu, I have 'Bejawada Rowdilu,' a movie on the gang war culture in Vijayawada.

Following the West is not surrendering. Following the West, the best of the West, is following originality.

Everyone knows about Amitabh Bachchan being a legendary actor, and I had this sense of arrogance that I can make him do what I want. But what he did on locations completely blew me away. I realised that I understand the quality of performances even more after seeing him perform.

I have learnt the hard way that ignoring a small fry can be many times harmful.

I don't think I have the patience required to undertake projects as huge as 'Baahubali.' You need to spend a lot of time and years to make something empowering like that.

I like to see women getting drenched in the rain. So to that extent, I like 'Barsaat.'

Modern warfare has become too techno-ish for my sensibilities.

I don't think cinema is big or small. It's just good or bad.

All my movies are copies of Hollywood, some of them pretty trashy copies. All filmmakers copy from Hollywood.

I feel that Sarkar is a realistic superman in his life.

I hate Sridevi. I hate her for making me realise that she, too, is finally only just a human being. I hate that her heart, too, has to beat to live.