HARSHVARDHAN RANE

I ran away from my home in Gwalior and bought myself a ticket to Delhi. That was the nearest metro, and the cheapest ticket was for Rs 74.

I don't come from a film background, so I am free to work in any script that interests me.

For a shot, I had to look like I've slipped on wet floor and hurt my back. My director wanted me to just act it out, but I insisted on doing it with water on the floor to make it look authentic. He was against the idea, but I did it and almost broke my back.

'Hiraeth' means homesickness to a home to which you cannot return: the grief of the lost places of your past. I fell in love with the word and instantly connected to it. It reminded me of the days when I had left my home in Gwalior, and I had that strange pull in my stomach, and now I can so relate to this word.

This is not that time of a cinema where you get 10 to 15 chances. You only get two to three chances, and if you do something nice in that, then it is great. Otherwise, people are very unforgiving.

I'm not going to have a six-pack abs. I think it's a luxury to have six-pack abs, but I don't think I can afford it yet. It's extremely tough, and I think having it will be an achievement.

A rock star, according to my definition, is someone who inspires people around him with something he is best at. In my case, it's music, but I wanted audiences to realise there is a rock star waiting to be unleashed within them as well.

There is nothing else to do in my life... I have no family, relationships - this is the only thing that I do.

I don't think at any age I will be able to feel totally accomplished.

My father looked like this serious guy but was actually a very kind person.

I learnt acting in Delhi from Barry John, who also taught Shah Rukh Khan.

The idea of being associated with Bollywood prompted me to get into DVD distribution.

Water is one of the most basic and vital requirements for survival. And with the issue of water shortage aggravating every single day, it's just something I felt we had to address and spread the message on whatever level we can.

My life has been pretty unconventional. The publishers saw a story in it, and yes, my life has been put in a book.

I had to go on the strict caveman diet where you eat only vegetables, chicken, and egg whites. This diet in many ways sounds right to me, and it has worked wonderfully.

I took my time to learn the craft and procedure. I wanted to do some substantial work first in cinema.

It's a misconception that all singers need to portray a messed up, dirty look to prove their identity.

The idea of meeting my former girlfriend's current boyfriend seemed insane and absolutely bizarre to me in the beginning. But I am glad I gave it a shot!

People used to call me for donations, and I couldn't relate to that because I have spent most of my life trying to support myself.

I don't deny that fact that I like Gauahar. She is hardworking, self-made and self-respecting. Somewhere, I see my own personality traits in her. But that's about it. We are not in a relationship.

We are killing a living thing just so that we can wear it? I think fake leather is also beautiful and lasts longer. All I am saying is that if you like wearing leather stuff, put in some extra effort and explore the market. Take on fake leather and stop being part of this cruelty.

I wanted to do something new and different. People expected me to do negative roles. I wanted to break the norm, and because of that, I lost on some great work as well.

I am stronger than yesterday and working harder than yesterday but don't know what will happen tomorrow.

I strongly believe that when you are cast in a role, there will be similarity in the character and you - why else would you be chosen for the character?

For me, there's one film at a time, and my only benchmark is that my current film should be better than my last one, and I've made sure of that. If you Google the trailer of my first film - which I request you not to - you'll see the vast change in my approach towards my profession and the slow gain of maturity in performing.