Nanda and I never discussed work. Our work never came in the way of our friendship. We were both down-to-earth and very Indian. Both of us attempted glamorous roles but soon realised that it’s better to play characters that were close to our personalities.
In the 11 years I’ve worked in films, I’ve realised that no one is indispensable, and that has actually been very comforting to know.
I think of myself as an Olympian. I have had a dream since I was a very small child. And because I have parents without whom I couldn’t have realised that dream.
So there was a fire inside me. And that fire inside you, it can be turned into a negative form or a positive form. And I gradually realised that I had this fire and that it had to be used in a positive way.
Directing Mr. Mohanlal was a delight. He’s completely there and wanting to know what you want him to do. He’s very keen on making sure the director’s vision is realised.
I only realised why I keep living in Shepperton when I returned to China. All the people who moved there had come from places just like Shepperton, and so they built and lived in houses exactly like these. I now know I was drawn here because, on an unconscious level, Shepperton reminds me of Shanghai.
When I was younger, I played as a right-back. I also played as a central defender, but I realised that I could dominate the ball quite calmly, so I started playing further forward in front of the back four.
Many French directors, having now realised there was no more real criticism, that the standards of the past have gone, are very offended about the quality of film criticism.
I’m playing with music and working on different types of music. But I’ve realised that I can’t really stray from what is my marker.
There have been plenty of experiences that I wished to write about but found them to be somewhat similar to each other. Later I realised that though they are of similar nature but each of them has changed me in a different way.
I realised at the age of 16 that unless I read the gospels, I would never have access to Renaissance art, to the music of Bach or the novels of Dostoevsky. So in the evenings, when the other boys went to play basketball or chase girls – I had no chance in either – I found my comfort in Jesus.
Apparently, in the olden days, nawabs would get bored with their cooks very quickly and throw them out. All of them set up shop in a place called Bawarchi Tola. That’s how royal food came to the streets. I started hanging around there. That’s when I realised food is a lot more than just cooking on Sundays.
In 10 months, I was replaced from three films. That’s when I realised I need to take my work seriously. It’s a blessing I didn’t get things easy. If I had, I wouldn’t realise the value of success.
The catering on ‘True Blood’ was so good – I’d be eating amazing doughnuts all day, then realised I was in danger of turning into a right fat faerie.
During my grief, I realised there was nothing I could do for my mother, but I did have a child.
Our fans wanted us to be together way before we even realised that we had feelings for each other. Our fans helped us win a dance reality show, and so we decided to share our love with those who have made us who we are.
When I realised I had a facility for humour, I latched on to it, and it gave me confidence and I built my personality around it. So I subconsciously made myself become the funny one so that would be my label rather than the ginger one or the red-faced one.
After becoming famous, I’ve realised how overrated fame is. It gets in the way of normal life.
I realised what goes on in the egg industry and the dairy industry, so then I was like, ‘That’s it! Going vegan!’ and I just kind of went cold turkey, basically.
I realised that I have the ability to play at the highest level and started to work harder.
I wanted to be a complete person and realised that the well-being of mental health is extremely important in achieving that.
I think it was when I realised I could talk anybody into doing just about anything I wanted them to.
When I entered TV, I realised that it’s not just all about art, but it has a business dimension as well. You need to take care of yourself. I also learned who my viewers are.
I lived in Bandra East, on the 12th floor. There was a small earthquake; I could feel the building shaking. I was halfway down the stairs when I realised I’d forgotten my laptop, and all my scripts were on it. If I lost the laptop, I’d lose all my work. I ran back up to get it!
What I’ve realised is that you can run miles, jump on a bike, lift weights, and all that other garbage, but the bottom line is that you get in tennis shape by playing tennis. You build the right muscles, and I don’t believe people can do it as successfully any other way.
I lived with a coffee farmer called Dukale on a trip I made with World Vision to Ethiopia, and realised there’s no good reason for the disparity in opportunity around the world.
I believe, as human beings, we sometimes indulge in self pity more than it’s necessary. Over my life’s journey, I have realised that overthinking about your problems and indulging in self-pity is not the answer to get through tough times.
Many young players tell you that they want to play for Manchester United or Arsenal. My dream was to play for Arsenal and I realised it. When I arrived, I thought: ‘Wow, I’m here!’
When I was 11, I realised that I did not have to live the life my mother had: school, marriage, children, apartment, summer house.
What I realised is, watching some old home videos, I’ve always had a weird accent. It’s because I spent a lot of time on film sets. But Australia will always be home… I sound like the Qantas ad, don’t I?
It is true that I did not want to leave Milan. That changed when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came from Barcelona. Then I realised that for me it is better to go.
As I got older, I realised fake tan was rather messy and I wanted to look cleaner, classier and more demure.
