ALIA BHATT

It's important that the director and actor have good chemistry, and not just the actors.

I prefer 'cooling foods' for the summer - lots of fruits like watermelons, a few strands of kesar with raisins that have been soaked overnight, and lots of coconut water. Dinner is usually dahi chawal. I am a big foodie, so depending on my cravings, I indulge - maybe pasta or risotto.

I am excited to work with Vikas. Whenever I tell people that I am doing a film with director of 'Queen,' they are like, 'Wow, good for you.' That makes me feel really good, and I feel fortunate to be the chosen one.

Everyone's films have done well of late. So when your film doesn't do well, you ask yourself, 'Oh, did I make a wrong choice?' And I strongly feel that it's your choices that make a good career. The track record has to be good.

I believe when things are going well, there's pressure, and when things are going bad, there's pressure. The pressure is more on the outside than inside.

I may get married later or may never get married. But I want babies, so I'll have to get married. I want fat, cute babies. Every girl has to think about it at some point. For me, marriage is about family, and that's why I find it necessary. Till then, it's normal to have a partner and do your own thing.

For me, changing my physical appearance for a character is never a problem. If I have to look a certain way for a role, I just do it.

My favourite movie of all-time is 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.' I love Kate Winslet.

I am a very private person. I don't like to talk about things till someone asks about them.

I am expressive but secretive about my emotions.

Our films are changing so people across the world can see them - when 'Highway' premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, a Polish lady said to me, 'It has a strong message for women.' So it's good to know our films are connecting universally.

Even though I try not to overthink and dress the way I want to, I admit that there's way too much pressure on female actors to look good. I'm well aware that I don't have the perfect body type. I'm constantly struggling with myself to achieve the perfect body.

The photographers are always around. Wherever I go, they start clicking incessantly. I am always like, 'At least give me a heads-up, as, many times, I look so disheveled. What will people think?'

When life partner happens, I hope he is not a youth icon then because I doubt even I would be youthful then. Whether life partner is hot or not, that doesn't matter. He has to be a nice man. He should be funny, responsible, and he should be sweet, and he should love me a lot.

I think my confidence stems from my honesty. I'm brutally honest - about everything and even myself. I tell it as I think it. I'm not politically correct. I'm definitely not diplomatic. I get bashed up for what I say, but I don't know any other way.

I don't mind sitting at home for six months if there's no film that I want to do.

I think the success that I have is due to hard work and destiny. It is important to stay grounded and not take things for granted.

I didn't have any fixed goals when I joined the film industry. I don't particularly feel 'successful,' but I am grateful that my career is going well.

You just have to ensure that you make good films because audiences today have become picky and smart, and rightfully so.

I think each character is different for me, but I am a director's actor. So if I get the right vision and right guidance from my director, I think sky is the limit for me.

I only think about the choices I want to make and act responsibly - not say or do stupid things, like break the law or get caught doing stupid things.

I don't find these technical things like flowers and chocolates romantic at all. I think Valentine's Day makes no sense.

Whenever you do a film for the wrong reasons, it may or it may not pan out. Sometimes people do it because it is a good move or the right move. I don't know; maybe one day I will do a film for the wrong reasons, and it will work for me.

I will never wear something I'm not comfortable in, and if I do, you'll see it in my face, and it'll be a complete faux pas.

My whole being and approach to work is shaped by Karan Johar. From him, I have learned that people should love to work with you, and you should give out warmth and energy to them.