In Bollywood, it’s always feast or famine for an actress. That’s the way of the game.
I don’t look at it as Hollywood or Bollywood, but, of course, my roots are here, and at the end of the day, it’s about your roots. You can’t take India out of me.
My sabbatical from Bollywood was a conscious decision. I was never in the rat race.
I am neither going to Bollywood nor joining politics.
It is great to see Bollywood celebrities contributing to so many different trends in so many different ways. I think this is one of the reasons that people associate with Bollywood glamour.
If you’ve made it big in Bollywood, such as Kareena Kapoor Khan and Katrina Kaif, and then you do an item song, it becomes a ‘guest appearance.’ That’s how it works. Sadly, that’s the attitude of our Hindi film industry.
I feel that Miss India is a stepping stone for anything you want to do, not just Bollywood.
As much as I’m happy, I know it’s not going to be easy in Bollywood.
There’s no set formula of success in Bollywood and one needs to be constantly in touch with the casting directors to get hold of the right opportunities.
Music, for me, is vital. Punjabi, Bollywood, Sufi, RnB… I listen to it all. When I’m not listening to music, you will find me chatting with friends. Off the field, I just let my instincts take over. I certainly don’t think about batting, or which bowlers I’m going to face.
Punjabi songs have been a rage in Bollywood since a very long time. The lyrics’ beat and the meaning behind them give an emotional touch to their lives and connects with youth.
Kollywood allots big budget only for commercial films. Bollywood film industry is straightforward that way. When compared to Bollywood, Kollywood is fake. They keep churning out the same films.
My first preference is Bollywood and will always be.
I want to do Hindi films, but a proper one and a good production. I’m even open to multi-starrers because those work better in Bollywood. But it should be with only Bollywood technicians, not the South Indian team. There’s no point to my going to Bollywood if I work with the same artistes and technicians.
Like in any other field, nepotism does exist in Bollywood. In certain families, one can see several generations of doctors or engineers, but all of this doesn’t matter much; if you are passionate enough, you will be able to create a niche for yourself in whichever field you are working for.
Because of what I did in Punjabi cinema, I have got offers in Bollywood.
‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ is definitely my best Bollywood debut.
I got good offers from Bollywood because I can speak Hindi very well.
‘Race’ is one of the most successful film franchises in Bollywood. So I was really excited and honoured on being approached for the film. But since I was already committed to another film during the same time as the makers are planning to shoot ‘Race 3,’ things eventually didn’t work out, unfortunately.
I think I am feeling comfortable in Bollywood more than in Hollywood because I have spent more time here now and I am understanding a lot of things. I am feeling pretty good here. I really don’t plan on running off anywhere.
A Bollywood hero, for most people, has been a Raj, a Rahul or a Prem… it’s now a part of the psyche.
A.K. Hangal has worked with so many Bollywood personalities. In fact, during his good times he worked with A-listers of the industry and it was so disappointing to see none of them turned up for his funeral.
There is more to Indian cinema than just Bollywood. I think regional cinema, especially Tamil and Marathi cinema, are exploring some really bold themes.
I thought that I should do Marathi cinema as I knew that there I would be able to explore different subjects. But I also need the money and acting is my bread and butter. So I started doing Bollywood films merely for money.
When my bank balance runs low, then I sign a big Bollywood monstrous movie, and I make sure that I am safe for the next few years.
I love doing movies that are content-driven, but at the same time, I would love to dance around trees and do those things that are typical to Bollywood. I have grown up watching such films and I would love to be a part of them.
The Bollywood distribution system is so corrupt that they have trouble making money off movies. So they sell shoes that an actress stepped in. If they turned up the amps some, maybe they could sell the actresses.
I don’t want to go to Bollywood just to prove I’ve worked there.
Bollywood is an industry that is closer to making more entertainment-based films than anything else because people here are bothered about money.
Theatre reminds me of Bollywood.
As a child growing up in a grey-skied Yorkshire village, I would occasionally happen upon a Bollywood movie on the television. After a few minutes watching a bunch of sari-clad dancers cavorting on a Swiss mountain to tuneless music, I would switch over to some proper drama about housing estates and single mothers.
Honestly, I was always very keen on acting in the South Indian films. I think people here have a notion that Bollywood actresses aren’t keen on doing films here but let me tell you, we are.
In Bollywood, on an average, movies are made in six months or a year, but Puri completed ‘Loafer’ in two months.
When you make the biggest film in the history of Bollywood, ‘Ra.One,’ and get so much flak, it drains you… haunts you for years.
I am very much open to Bollywood and would love to work in great stories.
There are many outsiders in Bollywood and you’ll find people from different parts of the world and cultures coming together.
My background is from India, and I always get asked, ‘When are you going to do an Indian film, a musical or Bollywood film?’
There are massive camps in Bollywood. I never belonged to any camps, but I think it was a wrong move. I should have had. It affects your career. It’s one big family.
My biggest pride is that Bollywood called me because of my work in Bengal.
I loved ‘Highway.’ It was amazing. I have watched Imtiaz Ali’s other films, too, and he is one of my favourite Bollywood directors, besides Vishal Bhardwaj and Mani Ratnam.
Going the bold way somehow has a very negative connotation in Bollywood.
I would love to work in a Bollywood film as there is so much drama and colour in the films there.
It’s been eight years now that I have been working in Bollywood and have done everything – from item songs to character roles to reality shows.
In Bollywood, if you work with a superstar, even if you are a newcomer, you become a superstar. That didn’t happen with me.
Ultimately it’s just music – whether I’m catering to the Bollywood audience or the indie audience. I just approach every type of music the way I am, and how my personality is.
Dilip Kumar was the only Bollywood hero who could make a girl shiver just by looking at her. If you don’t believe it, ask your mom!
The Harvey Weinstein scandal was a clear indicator of the situation in Hollywood, and I cannot say that it doesn’t happen in Bollywood.
I always say: you’re not going to find Hollywood. Hollywood will find you! But I’m ready for it: for Hollywood, for Bollywood, for everything!
The reality television shows are a big hit with the masses with their Bollywood songs. Even if these TV shows are scripted, people are watching them.
We know so many people who have gone into the family business even when they had no interest in it because that was the easiest choice. I feel this is a huge debate in India because it applies to every field and not just Bollywood.
I didn’t even plan Bollywood! I did my first film just to experience something new, and not start a career!
I agree that when you sing for Bollywood, the reach is bigger. But I don’t want to concentrate on any industry in particular.
In fact, the Bengali film industry is becoming more balanced between creativity and commercialization. And if Bollywood can remake south Indian and Hollywood films, why can’t we do so!
When Punjabis all over the world admired my work, there was buzz in Bollywood as well.
People don’t think music to be a reliable source of income or career, which I will agree, in a way, because Bollywood is a very risky place to be in.
Bollywood directors are like cricketers where in one match you score a century, and in the next match, you are out for a duck! Moreover, very few directors are consistent in Bollywood.
If I am meant to do a Bollywood film, I will get it. If not, I won’t. I really don’t differentiate between industries. As long as I get roles that give me a high, I enjoy it.
I have no plans to quit south films and come to Bollywood.
When my first album came out, it wasn’t Bollywood.
As you know, before entering the glamorous world of Bollywood, I was into theatre, where I played varied roles, from a lover boy to a servant.
I have done a lot of work in Bollywood over the years as an actor and director. I now want to pursue projects that will give me a global profile.
Bollywood is a dream come true for me and I am not going to take anything for granted, that’s for sure.
There are a lot of talented Punjabi singers in Bollywood and we are also using a lot of Punjabi songs and reprise versions of these songs in our films and I have also sung quite a few of them.
