Culturally, I remember listening to Salil Chowdhury's music for Malayalam films. Many Bengali actors have worked in our films, too.
Bollywood is a different ballgame. I am quite used to Tamil and Telugu films.
I've not really watched too many English films. I've grown up watching Indian cinema, mostly.
I was mesmerised by South cinema and the kind of work is done out here.
I find the working pattern to be the same in Bollywood as well as Tollywood. Especially because most directors of photography from the Telugu industry operate in Bollywood, too.
'Baahubali' has definitely increased hopes for a lot of regional filmmakers. After all, what I have learnt is that it only takes one 'Baahubali' to enter into the audience's hearts and cross the boundaries.
I know that it's the southern film industries that have made me an actor, and that is where people relate to me the most. I would never give it up or separate myself from it.
I would like to make a film in the four South Indian languages.
Back in the day, I was keen on working on a film with the superstars - Mammootty and Mohanlal. But they wanted me to make a film with them in Tamil.
My films play only in Bengal, and my audience is the educated middle class in the cities and small towns. They also play in Bombay, Madras and Delhi where there is a Bengali population.
Whenever I used to watch Hollywood films, I used to feel, when would Tollywood make such films?
'Baahubali's success augurs well for the Telugu film industry as a whole. It has opened up new markets.
If I have to choose between a Bollywood film and Pakistan film, it may sound cliched, but I will go with the script first. And if both the scripts are equally good, then I will choose a Pakistan film.
Kerala is a small state, and Malayalam films are seen by only very few people. That doesn't bother me.
I had a very good experience while working in regional films. I have been very fortunate that way. There is no doubt that the South Indian film industry is very much at par with Bollywood.
When I was working in south films, I never understood how films were made.
Language doesn't seem to be a barrier for me to do films in the south.
When I tell people that I am acting in Telugu, they ask me if I have to overact.
In Mumbai, it's almost like Hollywood. They can appeal to different segments and still be successful. There are multiplex audiences to whom you can showcase any lifestyle. But in Tamil cinema, we need to satisfy everybody, whether urban or rural.
Coming from the Malayalam sets, when I went to Telugu, people told me that I wasn't acting and that it felt dead. It was very subtle in Malayalam, while it is slightly dramatic in Telugu. It is quite fascinating to understand what each industry expects of you and work according to that.
I have not planned my Bollywood career the way I have planned my career in Bengali films.
Having done movies in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, I have been accepted both in North and down South. I don't believe in divisions. I like to believe that I am working in the Indian film industry.
I have done films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada. I don't find any difference.
I owe 40 per cent of my success to films from the south like 'Himmatwala,' 'Toofan,' 'Mawaali,' 'Maqsad,' Tamil and Telegu films such as 'Big Boss,' 'Apurva Shar,' 'Gangleader,' etc. I salute the south for contributing immensely to my success.
For me, Malayalam films remain the most important. I don't want to do more Tamil films just for the sake of it.
