I love the vibe that I get on the sets of south films.

I am happy with my career.

'Masaan' was a small role, but people connected with it. I loved playing a man who does not have many complexities in life. I was inspired by my father for this role. You find such characters in novel or in stories. You don't find such parts in movies where characters are either good, bad, or grey.

'Newton' is a black comedy, a social satire. Amit Masurkar is directing the movie, and Drishyam films is producing. Rajkummar Rao is in the movie. I am playing a very important character. It is a very interesting project.

I had never thought that so many people would know me, will talk about me, and most of all, I will be given a National Award.

I was offered 10 Sultan Qureshi-type roles after 'Gangs of Wasseypur.' But I did not want to repeat that, as I have little fear of being rejected by the people.

I have been in the industry for many years now, but people still come up to me and say, 'Sir, you're such a good actor. We loved watching you in that movie. What's your name?' While any other actor might get offended, I don't mind this at all.

Critics matter to me a lot.

For any creative person, along with learning, unlearning is also important.

Failures don't bother me much, nor do I let success go to my head.

Before trying my hand at acting, I use to cultivate my own land with my father.

I want to do different roles.

I used to work in a hotel kitchen at night and do theatre in the morning. After finishing my night shift - I did it for two years - I used to come back and sleep for five hours and then do theatre from 2-7 P.M. and then again hotel work from 11-7 in the morning.

Our Bollywood industry works in such a way that when an actor is seen in a gangster's role, he is offered similar roles.

I don't want to be in a situation again where I am sitting on a set, wondering why I am there and why I am doing the film.

My wife used to work as a teacher and support me, and now I can do something for her, which is very satisfying for me.

Whatever changes a common man wants to bring in the country, he can bring it through the process of voting.

In a democracy, voting is a huge and most important right of a common man.

I didn't get much time in between wrapping up 'Shakeela' and commence the shoot for 'Kaagaz.' With whatever time I had on my hands, I did my best to look the part. Instead of hitting the gym, I took up an organic approach to lose weight. I also cut down on oily and junk food and had small meals in between shoots.

It was Sultan Qureshi, the character of 'Gangs of Wasseypur,' which brought success as a baddie, but it were the TC and teacher's roles in 'Masaan' and 'Nil Battey Sannata' that broke the villain's mould and helped me successfully explore the other shades - be it comedy, intense, or serious - surprising the audience all the time.

I have nothing against smaller roles; they made me what I am today. But, progression is the way of life.

We used to live in a rented house in Mumbai, and now we live in our own house. That, for me, is success.

When a man is extremely lonely, he starts discovering himself.

I had never imagined that after coming to Mumbai that, as an actor, my dates would be booked in six-eight months in advance.