Nayanthara stopped signing films when she was at the pinnacle of her career for our love, and we wanted to get married with the blessings of our parents.
— Prabhu Deva
Wanted' and 'Rowdy Rathore', which I directed in Hindi, were remakes of Telugu hits. Telugu films have contributed to my growth in a big way.
Good to hear that 'Tutak Tutak Tutiya' is being compared with 'Bhool Bhulaiyya.' It was a super hit film.
I have been into acting and direction, but choreography is my first love.
I don't map out my future to the minute details.
I've never lived the glamorous life.
It is very difficult to come up with new things in action genre. I try what all I can change and give something different; I try my best to do whatever I can in the same space.
I'm not avoiding the Tamil film industry because I'm making Hindi films. It's just that I'm extremely busy with Bollywood commitments.
'ABCD' is an out-and-out dance film. I also dance in the film. I must say you would see better dancers than me in this film. It was very tough for me to match their steps.
As an actor, I felt nervous only during the release of my film. When I became a director, the anxious moments started once the editing work began.
Once you begin shooting, Bollywood actors get totally involved in their roles, and that gives you an edge in getting what you want out of them.
I can do nothing better than dance.
'ABCD' is a very good film - the story, the production value - everything is excellent.
Making commercial cinema is very tough.
I'm very camera shy, but I realise it's important to promote films.
Looking back, the most challenging thing for me was actually directing. It's very tough. Being in front of the camera is easy since the director can tell me what to do. But being the director and giving people directions is the toughest thing for me.
My parents hail from a village near Mysore.
I will like to work with the best of the actors in Malayalam someday in future.
When I am in Mumbai, I am called a director. In Chennai, I am called a hero. In the Telugu States, I am called a dance master.
I would like to work with everyone in Bollywood.
I would love to do a mystery movie.
I don't know if I've become a better actor or a more sensitive one. But I've learnt what not to do.
Nobody knows the pulse of the audience. By the grace of God, things are working for me.
Everybody wants me to do action kind of films. It is OK.
I never planned to become a dancer, but I became one. The same thing happened with acting and direction. I remember I was doing the choreography of a film, and the producer came and offered me to direct the film. It was in Telugu, and that is how it started.
It is a challenge to work with a newcomer.
I am very straightforward. If I have something to communicate about dance steps, I just go up to the actor and tell them my thoughts. Language is never a problem.
Directing a Hindi movie for the first time was easy because Hindi films have been batwing doors for me since 1992.
I didn't really have to struggle in the industry, but I've never shied away from hard work.
I don't get stressed out about my films because the box-office collection is not in my control.
Action is not really my genre, but it's what people expect out of me. And it works, too.
I am very grateful to Telugu movies, as they have been the main reason for my entry into Bollywood.
If you work hard, nothing is impossible.
Language is never a problem when you have the screenplay ready.
Ditya Bhande is a nice dancer.
Horror comedy - very rare in Bollywood.
I'm glad that nowadays people are aware of varied dance genres, thanks to reality TV dance shows.
'Rowdy Rathore' is a full-length commercial movie but with a difference. The Hindi version comes with some value additions.
I would cringe when asked to dance. I still remember having to wake up early from Class VI to learn Bharatanatyam. I hated it.
We work hard on every film, and then it's up to the audience whether they like it or not. At the end of the day, it is the audience wish what to accept and what not.
It's fun matching steps with younger actors. It gives me the confidence to keep going.
Bollywood is treating me well.
Everybody tells me to only do action films, but I would love to do horror, too.
Taking up the choreography for an awards night is completely different from choreographing a song for a film.
Had I not been a choreographer, I would have become nothing more than a traffic cop or peon in an office.
When I'm directing a film, I can't do any more than appear in a song.
We named the film 'Action Jackson' because our hero, Ajay Devgn, is known as 'AJ,' and we thought it would be a good idea to use the initials and extend it into the title 'Action Jackson,' as Ajay is doing both action and dancing in the film.
While I'm acting, I'm a professional, and then I don't break into cold sweat for whatsoever reason.
I am ready to act in Telugu if I get a good story.
In 'ABCD1,' it was only me. The character I play has his own charisma. But In 'ABCD2,' the film has gotten bigger with stars like Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan teaming up with me. The story is also completely different, so viewers can expect something totally new.
