In my whole career, in fact, I can remember only two first nights when a show was at its peak on the first night. And I just wish we could devise a system where critics came not on a single evening but were given a choice of performances to attend.
I loved reading when the critics in New York would say that some of my films reminded them of Lenny Bruce.
You can score as many goals as you want, but you are always going to have your critics.
The biggest critics of my books are people who never read them.
Critics should be looked at simply as commentators.
As a writer, it’s important to stay true to your story without giving a hoot about publishers, critics and readers. You should do your karma as an author the way you want to, and rest is up to God.
Some books are well-received with critics; other books sell.
Many of the critics today get airline tickets, hotel accommodation, bags, beautiful photographs, gifts and other expenses paid by the distributors, and then are supposed to write serious articles about the movie.
I’ve heard it said that I’m silencing the critics so many times but it’s not that: I don’t have to prove myself to anyone.
I never bothered about critics in the first place. And I’m not out to prove anything to anyone. Honestly, if I took every slight that someone made at me seriously, it just wouldn’t work.
It’s always fascinating – and sometimes a little disquieting – when two first-rate critics violently disagree.
Some critics are stimulating in that they make you realise how you could do better, and those are valued.
