Making films is about having absolute and foolish confidence; the challenge for all of us is to have the heart of a poet and the skin of an elephant.

Never treat anything you do as a stepping stone. Do it fully, and follow it completely.

If we don't tell our own stories, no one else will.

It is because my roots are so strong that I can fly.

What is really important to me is a sense of humour and a mischief about life. Life is just too boring otherwise.

We all know the power of film; we all know there's almost nothing more powerful than to see people on film that look and talk like you, like we do.

We have to realize only in communication, in real knowledge, in real reaching out, can there be an understanding that there's humanity everywhere, and that's what I'm trying to do.

Christmas lights may be the loneliest thing for me, especially if you mix them up with reindeers and sleighs. I feel alone. I feel isolated. I feel I do not belong.

I am still attracted to stories about people who are considered to be on the outside of society. I still seek inspiration from those stories.

I grew up in a small town in India, but through books I knew the world.

'Salaam Bombay' didn't put a halo on the poor. Instead, it said that they will teach us how to live.

One minute the teacher was talking about the Civil War. And the next minute he was gone. There. Gone. No 'poof.' No flash of light. No explosion.

The application of military force, or the prospect of such application, inhibits terrorist violence.

Just a turn of the doorknob, and there lies freedom.

He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.

I think that China has many outstanding authors, and their great works should also be recognised by the world.

It's been a privilege to be here.

The general at the radar screenRubbed his hands with glee,And grinning pressed the buttonAnd started world war three.

I thought the best thing you were supposed to do was find somebody and try to sound like them.

Now it is nothing but torture.

The simple fact of existence, of being aware that you are aware; this to me is the most astounding fact.