I have had other offers before but for my first film, I did not want to do anything too big.
It's the failure of my debut film which made me an actor, which made me want to succeed in the industry. But that doesn't mean I regret whatever choices I've made over the years. No, not even 'Kaiyethum Doorathu!'
I made my debut on big screen, and many thanks to my mentor T. Rajendhar for introducing me to films.
'Stardust' ended up being my first film in 2007.
I approach every film like it's my debut.
[Directing first film:] I was terrified, it was really very scary because there is a lot of responsibility. I think I was terrified because I wanted it to work so much. A lot of actors direct movies but I thought the stakes were kind of higher for me because I really, really cared. [...] I just worked as hard as I possibly could on every single thing, every single day. I said that if this failed it would not be because I didn't work as hard as I possibly could...every day.
I am doing the remake of 'Bai Chali Sasariye,' which was my debut in the Rajasthani film industry. It became a major critical and commercial hit in the history of Rajasthani cinema.
The first film is very important, and one needs to choose the right kind of debut project. I also think the second film is equally important, as it needs to be a notch higher.
Not that I have any regrets about my first film. It was a learning experience and I'm grateful for the opportunity. But I think somewhere we went wrong with the planning and execution of my debut.
Being a star son, everywhere I would go the first question that I would face was When is your debut?' I guess that's why it had to be planned well, for the curiosity that exists about your debut film is the highest and it makes for grand openings.
When you don't come from a film background, getting the right debut is important and difficult, as you don't have the sensibility to know what will work and what won't.
'Ex Machina' was the first film I'd auditioned for. I didn't have an agent.
I managed to make my debut with my favourite, Majid Majidi, whereas 'Dhadak' is giving me a huge mass exposure.
I've been offered roles in Indian films, but I wanted my debut film to be from Pakistan. A lot of people think that I've made my music career from India, but that's not true. I made it big in Pakistan, and then I went across the border.
'Naa Ishtam' is my first commercial Telugu film. That was exciting.
I have never struggled for anything in my life because I never thought I will be an actress. Film just walked up to my house with 'Abodh.'
For my first Bollywood movie, 'Ekk Deewana Tha,' my mum also came over because Mumbai was completely new to me, and I'd heard it's a huge city.
I was clear about the fact that my first film should be 'big,' since it's the start of your whole career graph.
'Richie' was my first Tamil audition and first Tamil film.
The five directors in '5 Sundarikal' experimented, and it was a very personal exercise. Amal, Anwar, Aashiq, and Sameer have done things that they have never done before. Debutant Shyju has also made a beautiful film.
'Love Sonia' will always be very close to my heart, not only because this is my debut but also because I got an opportunity to work with Demi Moore.
My journey to Sridevi started when I was preparing for my debut film 'Shiva.' I used to walk from Nagarjuna's office in Chennai to a neighbouring street where Sridevi used to live, and I used to just stand and watch Sridevi's house from outside her gate.
It took me nine years to get my first release. I have worked for it. I have earned it. I couldn't have asked for a better debut than 'Masaan.'
'Vicky Donor' or 'Madras Caf,' John's films have been path-breaking. I have full faith in the script of my movie, and my director, too, is a debutante. I like the conviction with which they work, and that gives me a lot of confidence.
'Saawariya' was my debut film. It will always be the most special film.
