I am somebody who is not too fond of fancy or commercial stuff, like dancing around trees. Even in the 20 films I have done in South, none had any of such stuff.
Culturally, I remember listening to Salil Chowdhury's music for Malayalam films. Many Bengali actors have worked in our films, too.
In the beginning, in 1975, just how big a star Kamal Haasan was, today's generation does not know.
Malayalam cinema has given me the biggest break and has been like a school for me on how to perform.
I am pleased about making a comeback in Bollywood, but then I really cannot think about leaving South Indian cinema. Whatever I am today is because of South films, and I cannot give up on that.
One reason why I've taken 11 years to make my second Hindi film is because I am comfortable working with the stars in the South, as they are with me.
Bollywood is a different ballgame. I am quite used to Tamil and Telugu films.
The fact that I have done films down South didn't boost or hamper my chances here. In fact, I was still shooting for both my Telugu films when I met Ashu sir for 'Mohenjo Daro.' During the audition, he gave me five scenes with lengthy dialogues. Once I cleared them, he gave me a song to dance to. So, my Bollywood entry was no cakewalk.
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.
Apoorva Raagangal,' 'Moondru Mudichu,' 'Avargal' - these were all my guru K. Balachander's films; I became a hero with these three films.
'Kabir Singh' is the Hindi remake of 'Arjun Reddy.'
I was born and brought up in Chennai, as the entire Telugu film industry was based there.
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.
I would like to make a film in the four South Indian languages.
I'd love to do a musical on the lines of 'Salangai Oli,' 'Sankarabharanam' and 'Sindhu Bhairavi.'
Luckily, neither in my Tamil nor in my Telugu movies do I have roles that require exaggerated emoting.
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.
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.
Minsara Kanavu' was a hit in the South, but not in the North.
I did the Kannada film when just out of school. I didn't know anything about the South Indian film industry at that time, and I did the film to earn some pocket money. I realised then I like acting.
I'd love to do more Tamil films; unfortunately, I don't get any substantial roles.
Malaysian Tamil movies are amateurish, with songs picked up from our old Tamil movies and inserted in between.
Wanted' and 'Rowdy Rathore', which I directed in Hindi, were remakes of Telugu hits. Telugu films have contributed to my growth in a big way.
I have tried to show the influence of folk music in Bollywood, in Tamil movies, in Telugu cinema.
