There is nothing wrong in playing parts in a good film.
— Soni Razdan
My mother is a German who was brought up in the U.K. So, there is so much cross-cultural exposure I had as a child. But Mumbai is my city.
I wanted to work in the Hindi film industry much more than what I was offered. But if you are a grain of rice in a wheat field, it is not your fault... You are just different.
When television emerged, it opened up many avenues for actors like me, but after a point, it also became very limiting.
A filmmaker is in a very vulnerable position when their films are releasing.
I am the mother, and the emotional chord with my children is naturally strong. So there are times when I might get sleepless nights because I am worried.
If you are not willing to grow together, then the relationship will not survive.
The digital space is becoming more relevant, and people are watching a lot of stuff on the web.
I do believe that actors have responsibilities.
The entertainment industry is always targeted at young people. Understandably so, as they are the key consumers. The young are the ones who are falling in love, starting out in life; older people aren't. Nobody thinks, 'Now I'm going to write a film about an older person.'
I have always been known as Mahesh Bhatt's wife, and I would tell people, 'Hello! I'm here!' This has always been a struggle. I would like to be known for who I am. I'm very happy to be known as his wife or Alia's mother. But I am also a person who, in her own right, has gone through quite a lot of odds.
Struggle is always very demoralising. It's not a romantic phase in anybody's life. It's very difficult. What it does is, it brings out your creativity in different way.
I didn't want to be a sex symbol. That was perhaps my mistake, but you can't really change who you are.
I was a complete anomaly in this business. I didn't fit into the Hema Malini-Zeenat Aman commercial cinema mould, neither the Shabana Azmi-Smita Patil art cinema mould.
A doctor's son can become a doctor, and no one screams nepotism. I don't understand why, in this industry, people keep saying 'Nepotism, nepotism.'
My acting, writing, performance - keep me on my toes.
I think TV, at times, is incredibly regressive, but I guess with the way few people are ready to experiment, the progressive streak has slowly crept in.
In 'Yours Truly,' I was the centre of the story; I was the protagonist. There was a lot more happening inside the mind of the character which was not projected loudly through dialogue and action... As a performer, playing such a nuanced, internal character is challenging.
I am very much of an Indian by heart.
As you grow older, you start looking at the bigger picture. You don't look at only yourself.
Whenever you go to Kashmir, you find people who are very gentle and soft-spoken.
It makes the city unique and hold a charm. In old Kolkata, there are some beautiful old buildings... some of them are well-maintained; somewhere reflects what the city has gone through in the past.
I am a mother. Whether it is Alia or Shaheen, at any point in time, if they are suffering, I am the one who gets affected badly.
I don't know what kept us together. Initially, both of us were hotheaded, so we would end up fighting a lot. But there was a lot of love and respect, too, I guess. I believe that's the key to a successful marriage.
It is always wonderful to have a theatrical release; lot of filmmakers desire that.
Forget being an actor-director: we, as citizens, have the responsibility to make the country a better place. And that doesn't mean advertising other people's agendas; it means looking at what is wrong and making it right.
People are lazy when they cast. It's natural to think of the most obvious fit to your character.
Being half Kashmiri, it's always special for me to shoot in the valley and to be there with the locals. They are all very warm people who are very hospitable and genteel and always welcome everyone with an open heart.
I have done a lot of things apart from acting, probably because acting was not very consistent in my life.
I probably marketed myself all wrong. I had exotic looks; I should have done those glamorous roles that exuded 'oomph.' But in my head, I was always an actress first.
Acting is a fair business. If you are not going to bring in the audience, no nepotism will work.
Nepotism is a natural thing that happens in every field.
My passion is my driving force.
I enjoy watching news and lifestyle channels. Cooking shows are also my favourite. I also watch a lot of films on Netflix.
I think every content can reach its potential audience if placed rightfully.
I was really a very ambitious young girl when I started studying drama and performing art.
I am very political in my mind, thoughts, and understanding.
There will always be people who will first wait for somebody's comment and then attack them. I'll say they are just cowards. They have no opinions of their own. It's very easy to be a sheep; it's not easy to be a shepherd. One should not give a damn about these trolls. One should not give them importance at all.
Kolkata does not look like a Delhi or Mumbai. The city has its identity.
Presumably, with age, you mellow down.
Not much changed post-'Raazi.' I didn't get too many offers.
Actresses do glamorous roles, and then, after 10 films, they do an offbeat one. But Alia didn't do that. She picked films like 'Highway' and 'Udta Punjab,' too.
I feel, if I criticize my country, it's not because I don't like my country. I love my country. That is my patriotism. I want to make it a better place for my children, for everyone. And if we don't look at what's in front of us, and we allow things to get out of hand because of other vested interests, then as citizens are not doing a good job.
People should see my work and think beyond what I am on daily basis, on Twitter, Instagram, or the perception they have of me in their heads.
I would have never thought when I was a young actor that I would want to direct.
I was a struggling actor all my life.
It was a miracle that I became an actress. I survived because of hard work and perseverance.
Those who belong to the film families may have a certain advantage, but nobody can keep you in this business if you don't deserve it.
I always set small goals and work towards them to achieve them.
I am one of those people who cannot sit idle at home; I would get depressed. I have a constant hunger to create and to learn.
