If you think about filmmaking as an entire spectrum, starting with the writer and ending with maybe the marketing department, the actor's contribution is a rather slender band.
When I was acting, I was always asking abut the mechanics of filmmaking. I decided I would learn what everyone on set was doing, so I would feel less threatened.
Directing a film requires a different set of skills. It is a difficult job, and I am happy being an actor.
In TV, you get so many different opportunities, and especially, you get to try something different you don't get to do as a normal person, then great.
Every big-budget film is powered by a director's vision. I blindly follow the instructions of my director, believe in him, and deliver what he exactly wants from me.
My interest in filmmaking was always very much the visuals and images.
At the end of the day, the one commonality that both Hindi cinema and Hollywood share is that they are full of talented and inspirational people. Outside of this, there are many differences, from the scheduling and rehearsal to promotion and directing techniques.
You never really know as an actor; it's completely out of your control, in terms of editing, and music, and film stock, shot selection, and what takes they use.
There's always a concern over budget with film too but people are more extravagant when they're making a feature. In television everything's tight, everything's paired down and it's just a question of making it look expensive.
Making movies is about creating illusions, and they can be subtle illusions, but it's all a cumulative effect as you make these little tweaks. It kinda adds up to something, hopefully.
This is the best film school there is, just to make movies and be there on set.
Typically, whenever you're envisioning how you're going to shoot something, you have a location or a set that you're going to build, and it's going to be built to specifications.
For all my films, location plays an important role because I like to give the authentic look of the place. And for that, one must go there and shoot at the right spots.
As the years go by and I make more films, I am increasingly interested in capturing place as a vivid backdrop for my films.
Movie-making is telling a story with the best technology at your disposal.
There are so many elements that make a good film. You need a great director who's driving it.
I worked with the best directors - Martin Scorsese, John Huston, David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock was great.
For me, the most important thing is the writing - and certainly the director. But if the writing isn't there, it doesn't matter who the director is!
You never know what to expect when you're a writer visiting a movie set.
I've been writing and wanting to direct for a long time.
Our experience on 'Avatar' heavily influenced how we approached 'The Dragon Prince' and how we built our team.
If the script is not good, the film will not work.
I see myself and my contemporaries being part of some good work in Bollywood.
I like to do a lot of research for my films and live my character.
I'd love to make another film in Mexico.
