Mani Ratnam Quotes

I think filmmakers are always interested in getting the best actor that they can find, the person who's the most right for it.

A movie will live or die with your casting.

I love actors. That's my bread and butter, and I got to work with some amazing ones on '12 Years'.

When I hire actors I believe in their abilities.

I do always feel very proud and flattered by being asked to be a part of American productions playing American characters.

My agents usually get a breakdown of all the projects that are out there. When I got 'Divergent,' they hadn't finished the script. They knew they wanted the leader of the Dauntless to have a certain demeanor and energy. They had me read a short monologue, and I got the part.

I think one of the biggest jobs of being a director is getting the casting right.

In films and TV, actors get chosen based on their capabilities, charisma and the image they carry.

I don't think I had a script on 'King Kong.' But usually you read a script and then you go and audition for it. It's rare when there's no script. I sort of like the latter better, because I'm more successful at it.

When you are an actor, you have to stay inside this world, but when you are with the crew, on the outside, you are in the dirt, working through all the issues. It's just a different way of working, and I think I preferred it.

When they're good, I like working with new actors.

I'm an actor. I'll take a lead if it's offered. The really good actors can fill a character, no matter what the role is. A good leading man is a character actor; a good character actor can be a leading man.

My first instinct was to cast as close to the short story as possible, but then I realized that I needed actors who could go for it and that they had to function well as a couple in a love story.

The best situation is where they cast you and then they trust you.

Casting is 65 percent of directing.

Good acting is about being as natural and calm as possible. These days producers have such definite ideas that you have to be prepared to do whatever they ask.

Some people work very closely with a director or a producer on something, and from the get go, they're collaborating. But typically, it's just go in for an audition, do the best you can, and if the phone rings a couple of days after the audition and you get the part, that's great.

I don't think I auditioned for 'Ghostbusters II'.

When you cast, you can't cast only visually; you have to cast emotionally, too.

Jim Carrey is a consummate actor and professional. He comes on set, knows his lines and knows his moves.

Once you don't smile on film, they say, 'Let's have that bloke who doesn't smile.'

I have no idea what makes a director believe in me that I can sell these kind of roles.

People who do not have funny in them are not funny when they read funny lines. Sorry. Just doesn't work that way. Seriously, this is the biggest rule of all. You live and die with your casting decisions. Your actors are the heart and soul of the whole thing. Without brilliant actors, you will not have a brilliant film.

Working with the likes of Joseph Fiennes was just an incredible experience.

Matching character and actor is what a good director does.