I am ready to work in any industry whether its Bollywood, Hollywood, the digital platforms, South Indian film, or Bengali films. Wherever I get a good opportunity, I'll be there.
I want to do Hindi films, but a proper one and a good production. I'm even open to multi-starrers because those work better in Bollywood. But it should be with only Bollywood technicians, not the South Indian team. There's no point to my going to Bollywood if I work with the same artistes and technicians.
In the history of Indian cinema I am the only South Indian director who has survived for 12 years and 25 films in Bollywood.
I would definitely be open to more films if the role was right. I haven't thought about a move to Hollywood, but if there was a good opportunity, and it happened that way, then I would definitely consider it!
My South Indian audience matters to me a lot, so I like when they watch my Bollywood films. It feels great.
I knew that all South Indian language films were first made in Chennai and that Tamil Nadu is one of the biggest film-producing centres in the country. I wanted to be part of films here.
It is very difficult for a South Indian to do well in Hindi films. But I have been very sincere and have put in a lot of hard work.
Growing up in the States, there's this part of me that's like, man, I'm Indian. Like, this is where I belong. And as soon as I got to India, and I had to go to the bathroom in some places, I was, like, 'Man - I am American.'
I am pleased about making a comeback in Bollywood, but then I really cannot think about leaving South Indian cinema. Whatever I am today is because of South films, and I cannot give up on that.
So far, yes, I have been doing only commercial films because those are the kind of films that came my way. Those are the kind of films that I liked, but definitely I'm open to doing other kinds of cinema as well, and if something comes along - if I like a character - then I would definitely do something off-beat or edgy.
Some independent Indian films do so well at these festivals in Europe and in the United States that when they come back, India just cannot ignore them.
I don't compare myself with Freida Pinto. She has come a long way. She does only films in the West. I am open to do both - Indian films and films from the West.
I am a rebellious North Indian girl and I was not sure if I would have said yes to a film like 'Rajma Chawal' if it would not be from South as it allows me to challenge myself.
I quit south Indian films because I was bored. The fans in south India were also quite demanding.
I still have that South Indian accent. But I am working on it. Hindi audiences should feel that I am speaking like them and should relate to me.
I wanted to go to drama school, but when I got the part in 'Falling,' I got an agent, so it seemed a good idea to work. I always did a lot of singing and dancing, so I am glad it worked out that way. I would like to study stage acting at some point, though.