"The subject that interests most writers is, of course, themselves and it is easy subject to talk about. But you know it is always easier if you are a poet or a novelist because you are used to talking in your voice. You suspend your whole life talking as writer directly to the audience. The problem is being playwright is that everything that you write is for someone else to say."

"If calling Tagore a third rate playwright constitutes freedom of expression, then calling Karnad’s plays as bullshit is also freedom of expression."

"I was excited by the story of Yayati. This exchange of ages between the father and the son, which seemed to be terribly powerful and terribly modern. At the same time I was reading a lot of Sartre and the Existentialist. This consistent harping on responsibility which the Existentialist indulge in suddenly seemed to link up with the story of Yayati."

"When people all around us are slaughtered in the name of a temple (and masjid) I hear echoes from those times long past."

"What a person understands as his or her Purusharthas could very according to his or her background stageand station in life, sex, etc., as well as the nature of the crisis he or she is facing"

"When I hear Kannada, my heart leaps up and I am all ears."

"The next prime minister (Narendra Modi) may be a man who organised the slaughter of more than 3000 Muslims in Gujarat. He is a candidate; he is being touted as the next prime minister."

"I have been lucky in having multipronged career. You know how I have been an actor, a publisher, a film maker. But in none of these fields have I felt quite as much at home as play writing."

"Amidst the early morning dew Walking across the greenery And in the evening that is scary While taking a breath, Oh, flower, I listen to your song, Oh flower, I defeat your love."

"Manikda was always different from the others. He did everything — from writing the script to choosing the location, finalizing the cast to designing sets and costumes, supervising make-up to framing the shots to editing. He was involved with each and every part of his film and was always very clear about what he wanted. His films were Indian but the production process was western. He also proved that silence can say a million words if used properly and was very economical with dialogues. He used barking of dogs, birdcalls, mechanical clatter or other natural sounds to brilliant effect. It was because of this detailing that every scene of his films became powerful and meaningful. And though he played so many roles behind the scenes, he accepted remuneration from the producer only for direction."

"But after having worked with Manikda, working in Bombay was confusing. I was too normal and realistic in front of the camera — the way Manikda had always taught me. But the Bombay directors wanted more energetic and louder acting. But today, most actors act that way."

"In the late 60s, there was a big probability of Satyajit Ray coming down to Hollywood to shoot The Alien based on his own short story which appeared in the then popular Bengali magazine, Sandesh. The film was to be produced by 20th Century Fox and Hollywood was waiting to embrace Ray with open arms. Alas! Due to some dirty politics played by unknown quarters, Ray's Hollywood dream had to be shelved. I have no qualms in admitting that Spielberg's E.T. was influenced by Ray's Alien. Even Sir Richard Attenborough pointed this out to me."

"The Ray Gopi Gayan classic was known as much as a children's film, noted for Gupi, a singer, and Bagha, a drummer, as a social film which was a comment on poor governance, corruption at high places and lapses in administration in contemporary society."

"He never treated his child artistes like kids. That's why they were always comfortable in front of the camera. Manikda became their friend after a few days of shooting"

"Oh, Mr. Ray is coming … the great film maker from India; you know, I am his fan and love his films; maybe I will be lucky to get to see him today; just start your car and follow me."

"He always played the role of a story-teller — something that can be considered his most important contribution to the world of film making."

"Ray was a terrific director! He was versatile in choosing the subjects of his film. And his films were very sophisticated, very clean. I got some idea about India from his films."

"To me, Satyajit Ray is just Manikda. Our relationship dates back to 1958, when he introduced me to the silver screen. I was just 13."

"I never imagined that any of my films, especially Pather Panchali, would be seen throughout this country or in other countries. The fact that they have is an indication that, if you're able to portray universal feelings, universal relations, emotions, and characters, you can cross certain barriers and reach out to others, even non-Bengalis."

"If the theme is simple, you can include a hundred details that create the illusion of actuality better."

"Last, but not least -- in fact, this is most important -- you need a happy ending. However, if you can create tragic situations and jerk a few tears before the happy ending, it will work much better."

"Sometimes even Satyajit Ray was criticized for portraying only the poverty of Bengal. That poverty is not the whole story of India, just a part."

"...Indian cinema does not stand for just Bollywood. Kolkata is the place of Satyajit Ray..."

"I got a severe attack of fever and was laid up for six or seven days. It was a struggle whether Meghanad will finish me or I finish him. Thank Heaven. I have triumphed. He is dead, that is to say, I have finished the VI Books in about 750 lines. It cost me many a tear to kill him. The poem is rising into splendid popularity. Some say it is better than Milton — but that is all bosh — nothing can be better than Milton —, many say it licks Kalidasa —, I have no objection to that."

"The purest love is between parents and children. Other loves may be more thrilling, but none are as deep or enduring."

"Writing can only be as good as its subject matter."

"Arranged Marriages don't always have to be risky. Get to know your future in-laws. She's bound to be like one of them."

"God exists...but only in our minds"

"The God of religion is a creation of mankind; the true God is beyond human comprehension."

"Life is a series of small sorrows that ultimately lead to great joy. Learn to wait for it."

"The case for vegetarians - plants cure illnesses (heard of Ayurveda). Animal diets cause most illnesses (heard of the China Study."

"Unless you are one with all humans, you are not human"

"Progress of mankind is the decadence of humanity."

"If the mother is the boat's canopy, offering shelter to her children, the father is the sail and rudder, guiding them forward"

"Couples often forget that after marriage and children, it’s no longer just a 'relationship' — it’s a family, a responsibility for life."

"Couples should keep their love pure before it poisons the purest love of all - that between them and their children"

"YOUR LIFE IS GRADED...but WE don’t get extra credits for praying— only FOR good deeds"

"Switching from one religion to another is like repeating the same error in a different form. As humanity grows wiser, the only meaningful conversion is beyond religion itself."

"Remember: the mother gives fuel for the journey, but the father is the road that transports you"

"Transportation has complicated our lives; without it, we would have everything we need within walking distance."

"Death is the moment when you stop believing in lies and learn the greatest truth"

"Mastering an art is like climbing a passion mountain; when you reach the top, the passion fades. So, keep learning."

"When couples start a family, they sacrifice personal love for the greater responsibility of raising their children into good human beings. Nothing should distract them from that goal until their kids are independent."

"Being a good human is simple: be a good son, husband, parent, and citizen."

"Death is the moment we receive a grade for the life we lived"

"It’s when you’re losing that your true nature reveals itself. Be your best self even in loss"

"Religion can often be the fastest route to ignorance."

"Parents with a bad attitude can’t expect children with a good one. Fix yourself first."

"Power in the hands of the ignorant can be a perilous thing, as demonstrated by Hitler."

"Even the humblest men have a strange reason behind greed. Every man thinks money solves problems - and every man thinks not just of himself, but his next three generations - there is a probability he will live to see those generations - and he wants to care for them in times of strife."