Also, it is futile to hold on very tight to your man as this will just kill your love for each other.
— Amala Akkineni
The discussion of animal rights in jallikattu has been misunderstood. We know that the tails of the bulls are broken, that chilly powder is rubbed into their eyes and they are forcibly fed country liquor. The animal is overwhelmed and does not know what is happening.
I have realised the importance of finding the right nutrition for our pets.
When you start off as a dancer, you don't become one overnight; you must train for more than a decade.
During my growing up years, I always connected with men who respected women.
Many times people tried to convince me about Ahimsa silk, but when I followed the chain of production it always ended with genetically modified silk moths that could not fly. There was nothing Ahimsa about it.
I have grown up in Chennai, so I speak Tamil fluent.
I would like to clarify that the only adoption I am involved is through the Blue Cross Animal Welfare Shelter where we provide healthy and friendly homeless animals for adoption.
I have never looked back on what I have done. Instead I am looking for new things to do.
If you are seeking fame without the requisite talent, you might wander.
There has to be a mutual respect and trust for any marriage to work.
But being a director of a media school in Hyderabad, being actively involved in animal welfare and my personal life keep me busy all day.
I work with 15 organisations that deal with issues ranging from environment protection and wildlife conservation to human rights, and women's and children's rights, etc.
Filmmaking these days is so technically advanced. When I started off, we had to wait for two to three months to see the rushes. But now you can see every scene on the monitor and you can see your work immediately.
When the Hyderabad Chapter of TFI approached me to be a part of their Leaders in Classroom event, I readily agreed to be a part of it. It was a great classroom experience. I really enjoyed myself. The kids were very expressive and it was heartening to say the least.
Hyderabad used to be this sweet laid back town, everything was accepted. Coming from Chennai I thought it was a town.
It takes the farmer 10 kgs of vegetation to feed the animal in order to produce 1 kg of meat. In other words a meat eater consumes 10 people's food!
Once when we were holidaying in Singapur, a fan did not recognise me as I had shaved my head. The fan approached Nagarjuna and asked him ferociously, aren't you married to Amala? Nagarjuna then explained to him that this lady is Amala!
The animal birth control and anti-rabies programmes, which are under the threat of being altered or discontinued, need to be strengthened in order to address the issue of the stray dog menace.
Nutrition is the topmost priority for me with my pets at home as well as for the team at Blue Cross.
It's incredible being a woman. I was, of course, fortunate to have an Irish mother who is an empowered woman. She comes from the western culture where women's rights and empowerment happened much earlier in the 19th century.
I never imagined I would wear a silk sari as I practice Ahimsa.
Not many people know that I am a Bengali actually.
Yes, I am a Bengali but I am sorry I can't converse in Bengali.
Holi has always been a nightmare for me because of the dangers of synthetic colours. Eco-friendly colours are the best way to celebrate Holi.
It is nice to go down the memory lane and remember who I am and what my roots are.
I had to take a decision. Do I pursue dance, my passion, or help my mother out? The movies beckoned.
Both Naga Chaitanya and Akhil are in the movies. They both insisted on being launched outside the home banner .They were very clear that they didn't want a home launch.My husband and I are very proud of them.
I am open to taking up any interesting projects that come my way.
The day I set foot in Hyderabad, I saw an animal being hit by a vehicle. The city did not have a shelter for the bleeding animal, and I brought it home. In less than a month, our house was home to all kinds of animals - a buffalo with a broken hip, a blind mongoose, goats, dogs, cats.
From Blue Cross we reach out to about 14,000 school kids every year. No matter where I go, be it a police station or a corporate office, I have some youngsters coming up to me to saying, 'madam we heard you in school.' It feels great and that's something I really enjoy doing.
In Mumbai and Chennai there is method in the madness. Despite its large crowds there is a 'live and let live' spirit and a connection with good.
Writing 'Animal Talk' column in MetroPlus gave me immense satisfaction. I quite enjoyed writing the column.
Each creature both great and small has evolved after millions of years of evolution serving an integrated and important part in the ecological balance of our Earth. Upset the balance and the consequences are disastrous.
Many a time when magazines reported that Nagarjuna was spotted with a lady, I was present at that very event. They could be referring to me, as they might have not recognised me.
As a 73 year old global brand, IAMS comes with a very strong legacy of tailored nutrition for pets and I am glad to be a part of the launch of a brand that shares my priorities and the needs of my pets.
I juggle so many hats that it takes something really special to convince me to get back to acting in films or TV serials.
I am half Bengali and half Irish by birth.
Ereena is a commendable mission for both women empowerment and environmentally sustainable Ahimsa silk.
I speak Tamil and Telugu better than Bengali.
With so many public places banning pets people can't socialise their animals, which makes them more hostile and leads to unsocial behaviour.
Everyone is born with it but, unfortunately, our society and culture are programmed to kill creativity.
Critical thinking and curiosity are the key to creativity.
I am working for various NGOs and looking after my home.
I had been acting from a very young age and also performing with a dance troupe, the Kalakshetra Dance Troupe, from city to city. I needed a break. After marriage I took time off. That break lasted 24 years!
Doing films is not fun or glamorous as it seems.
I was always an animal lover. Even back in school and college, an animal in need of help was my responsibility.
It is important to sensitise children about animal behaviour as it will help develop a healthy curiosity towards nature.
Children don't have anywhere to go except cinema halls, malls and restaurants. All three aren't ideal places for kids to grow up in.
I don't think I am as useful as a bat is to the society.
