Aasif Mandvi Quotes

I've always wanted to do an Indian film, but I didn't want to come to India and pretend that I could play an average Bombay girl.

Indians can identify with the Indian sensibilities, and rather than taking something from foreign films, it is always good to make a movie which has been enjoyed by a certain audience or in a certain part of India and make it available to a larger audience.

I am first and foremost an actress of Indian origin.

My background is from India, and I always get asked, 'When are you going to do an Indian film, a musical or Bollywood film?'

Bollywood is not a stepping stone to the West. I am extremely picky and in no hurry to sign a Hollywood film. I am only greedy for great roles; language and country is no barrier. And yes, I'll always be a Hindi film star first.

I don't look at Hollywood as a big break. Indian film stands on its own.

I would definitely love to do Hindi films but I'll choose films carefully.

'Slumdog Millionaire' has truly opened newer avenues for India.

When I saw 'Lage Raho Munnabhai,' I felt proud be a part of the industry.

I am comfortable in my space in Punjabi cinema.

Films like 'Satya,' 'Company' needed a pan-Indian audience. The affinity for Hindi film and subjects was there.

Bollywood is getting bigger and better.

Having portrayed English-speaking Indian characters in British and American projects, I have always wanted to use my mother tongue in an Indian film.

Whether the film is a Hindi film or in a South Indian language, I don't think it matters.

I want to do Indian films based on scripts with a universal appeal.

I used to get upset with the word Bollywood, and what it means in the West. The stereotype of us being dancing, singing, puppet showgirls. Indians are nearly one fifth of the world's population; we have one of the most prolific film industries in the world. When people used to ask me about it, or replicate what they think is Bollywood dancing, thinking that they're being funny, I used to get offended. But now I show them the stuff we do.

It was only after moving to Mumbai that I was completely seduced by Bollywood.

Salaam Bombay' and 'Monsoon Wedding' are the two Mira Nair films I go back to.

Audiences are more drawn in to what they can relate to, so it would be stupid not to have great Latino films for the Latino audience.

If people ever stop making films about India, I'd never work again.

From jazz, the blues, country and rock to Hollywood movies, culture has in many ways been our greatest export (or our most obnoxious one, depending on your point of view).

I hadn't made up my mind whether I had to do Hollywood or Bollywood films because I loved both, and I grew up on both. So I am glad that Bollywood chose me.

I am undoubtedly a 100 percent Bollywood product, but my heart truly lies in making music for the world and taking India global.

In India, thousands of people want to be in the movies because Bollywood plays such a huge role in our lives.

The perception that 'Indians can't make superhero films' needs to change. We can make superhero films in the budgets given to us.