Quotes:
Mani wanted me to work in Anjali, but he thought even that wasn’t good enough for me. He wanted to have something substantial to cast me. I would like to be directed by Mani Ratnam but, of course, it is not a big deal. I know the man. I think Balachander will make me act better. Mani’s characters will be good but, when it comes to performance, I think Balachander is even better; or, for that matter, Bharati Raja, Mahendran or Kranti Kumar. Mani has considered me for many of his films — Mouna Ragam, Nayagan (for the daughter’s role). He is a good director — he does not need a co-director. He just needs help with writing so he can concentrate on the making.
Suhasini (Interview with Rediff)
Personal Quotes:
Dil Se was dubbed into Tamil as Uyire. Dubbing a movie brings its own set of compromises, and you end up losing some of the elasticity.
Unlike in the West where an idea goes into development, with different departments taking over different stages of its development, we work differently here. Sometimes you have not found the writers to develop the script, so it remains with you for a while. After some time it falls into place. Everybody works this way. It is important that you have people around you with the same passion for good films, and have the same flair. That is as important as the story itself.
Rediff Interview (2004)
“My major weakness is that when I begin shooting a film, I forget my health and get involved fully with the nitty grittys of the film. That has had its impact on my health. Now I have realised it and I spend a lot of time relaxing, playing tennis, so on. After Yuva I needed rest and spent time travelling and doing a lot of things which I would have ignored otherwise,”
“I am not against the media, only that I have nothing to relate to them. They can review and pass judgements on my work. I feel interviews achieve no purpose. Directors ought to be making films not talking about them”