Richie' is so special to me. It's because this was the first Tamil film that I had auditioned for. I did not know the language well. I was an absolute newcomer. But I had the determination to speak in Tamil, as it was a very good role and I didn't want to let it go.
Human beings around the world have to be taught to go, 'Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing.' And both of those groups are different. It's like a square and a circle.
I love acting in Tamil cinema. I have decided quite consciously to do at least one good film every year in Tamil.
In school I was sidelined by Tamil language teachers. But in the film industry, I got interested in Tamil poetry after reading and working with the Vairamuthu.
I prefer the Telugu film industry, as women are respected more than they are in the Tamil film industry. In Tamil cinema, they care only about their hero, who is God.
Post-'Pellichoopulu,' I received a lot of offers from Tamil industry. I decided I won't do a Tamil film unless I know the language. If I want to do it, I wanted to do it perfectly.
I took up Tamil films because I'm a big fan of Mani Ratnam. I thought maybe he'll notice me if I act in a Tamil film.
I am the first Tamil film artiste to receive the Padmashree.
I couldn't be happier starting 2019 with this film 'Haathi Mere Saathi.' It's the first time that I am doing a trilingual film which I'm excited about. It will be my Tamil and Telugu debut.
My Hindi is OK. I think I am better with Tamil. I remember the Tamil words.
To the Tamil media, I have mostly interacted in English since I am not fluent in Tamil.
The first time I visited Chennai was in 2013, July, I think. I came here to meet the director of my first Tamil film, Pa Ranjith for 'Madras.' We did a test shoot and I left the same evening. I didn't get to explore the city much at that time.
There was an agitation against Mumbai Express: because part of it is an English word. There is no Tamil word for Mumbai Express. I am sure all those who were against it, even they wouldn't say 'I love you' to their lovers in Tamil. Many don't even thank in Tamil.
I started my career with her. I was supposed to do my first film in Tamil in which she was the other heroine. The film was titled 'Vennira Aadai.' It was a love triangle, with Jayalalithaaji and I playing the hero's two love interests. But the director Sridhar removed me from the film after a few days' shooting.
I have a nice script for Salman Khan which is much bigger than 'Tere Naam.' I have bought the rights of Tamil film 'Pithamagan,' which featured national award winning actor Vikram who had also done Tamil version of 'Tere Naam.'
I joined my father for recordings when I was 11 or so. By then, I could play a dozen instruments. My first professional recording was around that time. I played the vibraphone for Shankar-Ganesh in a Tamil film.