Unlike films, theatre allows you to experiment as an actor, which is fulfilling.
— Paresh Rawal
As a child, I was mischievous and an attention-seeker, so acting came naturally to me.
Theatre has a strong connect with the audience and gratifies me as an actor, but the canvas of films is huge!
Play is a medium of word and film is a medium of picture.
I am an actor first and foremost. Even without my involvement in politics, I was staying away from sub-standard work.
I don't think it would be very difficult for me to open the chapters of my life because there isn't much there.
Rajkumar Hirani is a gem of a person. You can trust him completely.
I am a low-profile person.
I was fortunate to have my business partner of many years - Hemal Thakkar - who helped a great deal in production under our banner, Playtime Creation.
I have a hunger for good roles.
I like intelligent comedies.
Work is exciting when it's challenging. It should be something that makes me afraid initially and prompts me to ask myself whether I'll be able to do it or not.
If I have to do a show every day, then I should have fun. It must have an element that enriches you as a person and as an actor.
Theatre is an actor's medium. An actor has little control over a film. Which is why most actors who have done theatre, and then come to films find the former more creatively satisfying.
I do theatre for my personal satisfaction and enjoyment.
I enjoy doing all types of role, small or big.
Films are meant for the masses, for the purpose of entertainment.
I will never stop performing on stage.
Even after witnessing an inflow of a large number of people from other states, Gujaratis haven't changed and are still warm and loving.
At the end of the day, my bread and butter comes from films, so I have to work in films that may not have a great script, but give me a fat pay cheque.
Promotion is necessary and it has to be done. I am not shying away from promotion, but going to cities and malls and raising your hands like a stupid guy is not required.
The Congress had the opportunity to do a lot of good. It isn't as if they didn't have good people in the party. God knows why they failed. If after 65 years of governance you cannot provide drinking water to everyone then you should be ashamed of yourself.
Why would any one make a biopic on me? I would have lived my life a certain way, had I known that a biopic will be made on it in future. I agree, every person's life has enough drama to be translated into a movie but I can't say the same about myself.
My ideology is the same as that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which doesn't believe in a vote bank politics. It's a vision for better India.
I don't like giving interviews unless I have something to talk about. Why bore people and why bore media?
I don't believe in terminologies like 'lead role' or 'supporting role' or 'cameo role,' etc.
AR Rahman is truly great.
Only I can play Modi. I say that even at the cost of sounding pompous because I really love him.
I think I'm blessed that my desire to work with Rajkumar Hirani has been fulfilled.
In a film, I can show you the beach, the sunset, the roads, while in a play you have to imagine all that.
Just because good films don't work does not mean we should stop making them.
Except theatre, there is no medium which can satisfy good artistes in India.
Criticism is okay from people who know the finer points of cinema.
Whatever I want to do or say, I get to do it on the silver screen, so in normal life I don't feel the necessity to do or say anything.
Performing at Prithvi was a novel experience, because unlike other theatres, it was very different - it didn't have any curtains and the audience was at close proximity to the actors.
There's more to Gujarati cinema than characters wearing kediya and ghagra choli and saying 'Aa ra ra ra.'
I have done 'Mumbai Meri Jaan,' 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!;' they are not comedy. But those roles didn't stick with people. Comedy films run, even though some of them are bad films. So people see these more.
I will not hesitate to take up good film offers.
I've decided to get into active politics on Narendra Modiji's request. I don't know how successful I will be, but I'll give it my best shot.
I believe if the atmosphere on the set is positive, it definitely reflects on the screen. Your work becomes easy if the environment on the set is healthy and positive.
I was born in India… Gujarat. I am an Indian! And India is a democratic country, anyone can stand for elections. I can also stand for elections.
I always enjoy shooting for all my films.
Acting is nothing but reacting, so if your co-stars react in a particular way, it does affect your acting as well.
A good comedian has to be a fine actor all around.
An actor is known by his choices, not by his box-office figures.
In 'Dear Father,' you will see some remarkable work in terms of the screenplay.
Boman Irani is a wonderful human being and a terrific actor.
I do enjoy cricket, but the game is over hyped.
Firoz Nadiadwala is a close friend; he was the first person who asked me to direct a film for him. I would like to have him as my producer for my directorial debut.
I would loved to be called a character actor.