People From Mumbai

"What you eat is what you are. Being voted the sexy vegetarian is quite fashionable. I'm obsessed about what I eat and about my body. People thought I starved myself to get into the size zero figure last year. But that's not true. I think I'm quite fit and healthy. It's just that I changed my body type with a lot of exercise and proper diet through professional help obviously. I worked towards a size zero for a role and I'm game to even put on ten kilos for a role. You see, we are actors and we need to suit the demands of a character. ... You don't need meat to build muscle. Vegetables have a lot of variety for building muscle. It's cool to be a vegan."

"He knows what he wants, he's a good Jesuit, and the Jesuits know exactly what they want."

"Peace is the source of well-being and prosperity, and is, therefore, the goal of all political action."

"Glamour in a woman is to be celebrated, and we women must celebrate ourselves. Then we can expect other people to celebrate us. But if we look at ourselves in a certain way then nobody can respect us."

"As an actor, I understand what it takes to have an extremely long career and that requires a very different kind of skill set. It's not about just being relevant. It's about being memorable."

"If Tom Cruise can do an action sequence in his 60's, I can do a song like "Kaavaalaa" even when I am 60 too."

"Being an actor is in your hand. But to be a star, you need people to love you.That happens to very few people and I feel really fortunate."

"I feel, but actually I feel very validated from that film. The reason being, that film actually got me into the minds of really young kids because a lot of really young kids watch Baahubali. They still think I’m the butterfly girl, and there are so many things about that film."

"In some films, you don’t just need to hog center stage. I mean, I’ve done a lot of ensemble work in my career. Strangely enough, my first big success was an ensemble again, Baahubali happened to be one. I’m very secure as an actor. I know my skill and the impact I have on screen. I’ll get five scenes. I will do it to such perfection that people will remember me."

"Yes, I always knew it was her. We started dating around August 2012, and by December 2012, I knew that she was the woman. I was very convinced, so I always approached the relationship that way. I nurtured and cultivated it with the feeling that this is forever. Let me tell you honestly, two very big things have happened in my life. First, I became an actor and it was a huge thing for me. Second, I married her. And this is what makes me feel like maine life mein kuch kiya hai. Maybe, it’s my good karma or blessings… I know that I have the best life partner in Deepika and I understood early on, that it doesn’t get better than her. I have been proven right by myself, as during those six years (when they were dating) kuch bhi ho sakta tha, I could have met someone, but I didn’t meet anyone like her. I haven’t met anyone like her, ever."

"Ranveer is definitely my cheerleader…but it’s not just on social media, it’s at home, too, like when I try my hand at gardening or cooking a meal. Even when he meets my parents, he always tells them how proud he is of me. He pays attention to the little things, and that’s what I appreciate about him the most."

"Yes, I have, out of immaturity, out of inexperience, out of taking advantage of certain temptations, out of callousness. You realise it now, when you grow up and you value it more why be in a relationship, why be committed to someone when you cannot be committed? I've realised that now. That's why I don't want to jump into a relationship with anybody because ... unless you have a special bond, a special equation with somebody, somebody who you can be committed to, somebody who can trust you, who you can respect, there's no point."

"I was his favourite grandchild. Whenever my mom shouted at me I would call him up and he would fire her. I, being his first grandson, was special. Every weekend, the grandkids used to go to his home in Chembur. He kept a bag of toffees and gave us one every time we salomed him. I once asked him for a suit when he was visiting Russia. He got back two bags of suits in every colour possible. He never shopped for anyone else."

"Both of us are sure about our relationship and if we don't open about it now, it would be showing disrespect to the relationship. I am 33 now and it is time I have my family. Even Katrina wants that. I have grown up in a family where film is everything. So, I know the importance of gossip and my funda is simple. When there is gossip, try not to react and it is advisable not to think too much about yourself."

"I don't have a drinking addiction but yes I have a tendency to drink a lot. When I start, I don't stop. I guess it's in my blood; you know how my family is. They are all very fond of alcohol. So, yes it's in my genes to drink."

"I'm extremely happy about the appreciation I got for my first film. My parents are very proud of me, and that makes me happy. And I'm very happy about my relationship with Deepika. I'm in a very happy place and I want to be this way all the time."

"Celebrity life is not easy. There is a lot of scrutiny. This is compounded with the coming of mobile phones and smart phones which have a camera. There is constant attention, sometimes too much of it. But this is something you take in your stride. If you decided to be an actor, then with that kind of territory comes a lot of attention and I am only too happy to receive attention."

"It is a different matter that the petition was dismissed by the Court. The apex court had even remarked, “In our opinion on merits in view of the material that has been placed on record including that of Azam Khan’s statement and book by Rana Ayyub, no case is made out on the basis of material placed on record so as to direct further investigation or re-investigation. There is absolutely no material for that purpose.” It had also stated, “The Book by Rana Ayyub is of no utility. It is based upon surmises, conjectures, and suppositions and has no evidentiary value.”"

"The book by Rana Ayyub is of no utility. It is based upon surmises, conjectures and suppositions and has no evidentiary value. The opinion of a person is not in the realm of the evidence. There is a likelihood of the same being politically motivated, cannot be ruled out. The way in which the things have moved in Gujarat post-Godhra incident, such allegations and counter-allegations are not uncommon and had been raised a number of times and have been found to be untenable and afterthought."

"It is important for policy makers to recognize that we don’t live in an economy but in a society. However, it is also important for them to realize that delivering social outcomes requires economic progress and financial resources. The Rajasthan model of development aims for outcomes and balance in three objectives—social justice, effective governance and job creation."

"Our society has collectively chosen a smriti for now: it’s called the Indian Constitution."

"I wish I could explain, in a manner others may consider “rational”, how these plots come to me. But I can’t. I just open the laptop, and there is this parallel universe that opens up and I record what I see. I discover the story while writing just as much as readers discover the story while reading. So I know it may sound strange but I genuinely believe that these stories are the blessings of Lord Shiva. I am only a channel. I am only someone who is lucky enough to receive this blessing."

"Rajasthan is bigger than Germany and has more people than France. Being India’s biggest state without much water is a huge challenge. And having a young demographic profile (34 per cent of our population is between 18 and 39 years) means we need to create eight lakh new jobs every year. All this is complicated by the fact that for many decades after Independence, we lagged behind other states in investments and outcomes in most industrial, economic, education and social development indicators."

"This is not a crime, we are in the middle of a war."

"Remember, in the Indian way, only the shruti scriptures are of divine origin. The laws, or smriti books, are not of divine origin, but man-made, which means we can change the laws depending on what society wants. There are many smritis besides the Manu Smriti, some are very liberal and some are conservative, and they reflect the mood of the society when these smritis were written."

"'It makes no sense... If you (the Centre) can allow it (an anti-terror law) in Maharashtra, why not in Rajasthan?'‘There’s no compromise on Sonia as PM. I have no problem with any other person, Priyanka or Rahul’‘India will never have a revolution. China will need one every two-three centuries, their society is hierarchical, has one core centre. India is diverse’‘I want govt to declare Chandigarh a hockey city and put five astroturfs there. Automatically the players will come’‘If you give computers to young children, they start to believe that you don’t have to think, all you have to do is search’"

"One of my lifelong inspirations has been Mahatma Gandhi’s call to “become the change you seek”."

"“I find nothing wrong in being called a ‘Hindu’ writer, but I dislike the implicit assumption in that terminology.”"

""Even as we guard against the dangers from abroad, we cannot neglect the daunting challenge of terrorism from within our borders," Raje said. The chief minister said no economy is insulated from such threats. "Terrorism continuous to pose a global threat that is becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. This threat is not new, but technology and the Internet have increased its frequency and lethality," she said. Raje said there should be no distinction between terror groups. It is important that countries and institutions work together to ensure infrastructure and citizens are secure."

"Women are not exempt from patriarchy, they are also products of it. So, they also come in with that system of 'am I right' or 'am I wrong'."

"From Mira Nair. Who told me to, stay true to the story. Told me not to lose my femininity, because I am directing. So if I want to go to work in a skirt and lipstick, I should. I don't have to be male, to be the boss. And to never hook up with the actors. Best piece of Advise. (as an answer to the question: Whats the most useful advise you ever got from a fellow director?)"

"I think the most important thing, when you are directing is perspective on the story. What is your take? What are you saying? What does it mean?."

"No. If I am in such a temper, then the person I am in a temper with needs to leave. (as an answer to the question: Have you ever walked of a set, in a temper?)"

"[B]eing an ally means you need to be active. It’s not enough to be non-racist. You need to be anti-racist. It may not be easy, but you need to use your voice and your privilege in the moment to speak up when you see something wrong being done. Even if it is “only” a microaggression…"

"A child always grows away from their parents. That is the job of a parent — to give their child the tools to be independent. But for the immigrant family, there’s a different cost to it, an inevitable cultural loss that happens as the first generation gives way to the second and then the third, as this once-new nation becomes (hopefully) fully your own…"

"We live in an age of internment right now…and it’s not just in the United States. These things are happening globally…Silence is complicity. It’s so important for those of us who have any kind of privilege, power or platform to always speak up. That’s the very first step to take when we see oppression in our country, when we see acts of bigotry, hatred, homophobia, xenophobia—any institutionalized prejudices."

"Writing for young adults is writing into the realm of possibility…I always say that middle age novels are about doors closing, and young adult novels are about doors opening."

"Mass arson claimed 58 innocent lives... Flames of hatred engulfed Gujarat."

"No Indian government will allow Amnesty International ...to set foot inside this country... Amnesty International ...will ask neither the Indian government for the truth, facts and figures...[but] will ask the likes of Teesta Setalvad, Harsh Mander and Kathy Sreedhar..."

"I had given numerous photographs to Teesta Setalvad of rioting mobs during that period. They clearly showed faces of known party workers and leaders of the Congress Party along with VHP/Bajrang Dal and BJP cadres. Teesta has never released those pictures that implicate Congressmen. Those particular photographs have simply disappeared. She has refused to give me copies of pictures I sent her from ground zero. Likewise, she never mentions or shows pictures of Muslim mobs attacking Hindu homes and business establishments during that period. When I began pointing out to Teesta and Co. that they were presenting a one-sided picture of the riots, and that they studiously avoided talking of attacks on Hindus, the losses they suffered, the thousands that were rendered homeless and sought shelter in relief camps, she let loose a propaganda campaign that I had been bought over by the VHP. She finally threw me out of the organisation without as much as giving me notice or a chance to explain myself. Moreover, Teesta got false affidavits signed on behalf of riot victims. That is why many of the victims have openly distanced themselves from her. Only those Muslims who are on Teesta’s payroll are still standing by her. She gives them monthly doles to remain as showpieces of the Gujarat riots and give tutored testimonies. Till 2007, as the ground level worker of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), I was in-charge of distributing cash to such families—all of which was part of hawala money Teesta got from various Muslim countries—bulk of which she kept for herself.... I had submitted photographic evidence of Muslims also attacking Hindu areas. Many Muslims suffered injuries from police firings because they were also attacking Hindus where they could. But Teesta did not publicise that evidence."

"I was a personal witness to the following incident. On 3 rd or 4 th of March, I entered Shah Alam dargah, which had been converted into a refugee camp. Baldeep Singh photographer was with me. On one side of the dargah there is a big room where one lady named Belim was briefing the press and giving highly exaggerated accounts of what had happened. She was crying hysterically in front of journalists. As soon as the media persons moved away, she instantly stopped howling. This made it obvious that it was all a play-act. On the other side of the partition, there was a squint-eyed man from Karnataka. A lady was sitting with him with a tape recorder tutoring this Muslim from Karnataka to say, “I am so angry at the riots that I am going to become a terrorist.” Teesta has a real perverse streak in her. She had started tutoring witnesses from the start as though she was just waiting for this riot to break out."

"But the fountain head of all these devious interpretation was Teesta Setalvad. She made it politically fashionable to say that since the Hindus killed in the Godhra train carnage were “militant karsevaks, they “could hardly be described as innocent travelers”. This implies that they deserved to be butchered. Even today, the website of Communalism Combat peddles the same prejudice despite the fact that Nanavati Commission has recorded that the karsevaks did not do anything to invite being butchered."

"Teesta, Hashmi, and others did come to our camps but they did not give us even one rupee by way of help. They would come, record the sad stories of victims, take photographs, and leave. None of them said to me, “We have this much money to offer you, tell us how you want it spent.” I’m not interested in working with those kind of NGOs."

"They never listen to people like me or Asifa Khan the way they listen to Teesta Setalvad even though unlike her, we have no personal agenda. The media prefers talking to those who have made commerce out of other people’s problems. I call such people merchants of misery. Our country would be far more peaceful, and inter-community relations would return to being amicable, if their shops would shut down."

"Most successful Indian T20I captain: 50 wins under his leadership."

"Most T20I runs for India: 4231."

"Century on Test debut: 177 vs West Indies in 2013."

"Most sixes across formats: 637, the highest in international cricket."

"First men’s player to play 150 T20Is, a feat that shows his longevity in the shortest format."

"Most sixes in T20Is: 205, first to cross 200 in the format."