RANA DAGGUBATI

Most of the things in your life are not in your control - the family you are born into, the parents, and the siblings you have. It is only friendship and love that you create for yourself in this lifetime.

When 'Dum Maro Dum' came my way, I took it up without thinking that I was crossing any boundary. It was a good film, and I wanted to do it.

I truly believe that cinema is a collaborative effort, and as long as I get to tell, and be part of, interesting stories and work with genuine people, I don't see any project as a 'risk.'

Should I tell you one thing, I am blind from my right eye. I see only from my left eye. The one you see is someone else's eye which was donated to me after his death. If I close my left eye, I can see no one.

Rumours die out faster than they are born, and I'm prepared for them.

I grew up understanding cinema from early on and was soon cinema-literate.

Incidents of the past - a lost love, a missed opportunity - shape us and make us what we are.

Most of my films have been very character driven.

For two years, I was without a movie down South, and 'Department' proved a disaster; people don't even remember the film.

I made a decent debut in Bollywood with 'Dum Maaro Dum.'

I don't want to do the song-dance formula; there are many people doing it, right?

We are moving into a phase where what was once alternative cinema is becoming mainstream. I like being in that space.

When a director from Hindi cinema is looking for an actor from another language, it will be only because he feels the character justifies this and that can only be for a well-written character.

A myth that operated for a year was that my broad structure secretly held a deadly body. I was so wary of my burgeoning tummy that I would conceal it by wearing very loose clothes.

Thanos is undoubtedly the most powerful entity and villain the world has ever seen - he is virtually indestructible. Imagine a villain so menacing that all the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and their allies have to come together in a hope to defeat this one guy; such characters come to you once in a lifetime!

I believe that you become a better actor only when you work with people far better than you are.

It was the reason why I became an actor - to tell new stories - and I stick to that, which is how I found 'Ghazi.'

'Leader' is a political drama. It's the story of a character who understands what the people want.

Hyderabad can be harsh to a foodie like me. The haleems and the biryanis are in your face. It's hard to overcome temptations and harder not to binge.

I have been in the industry for about 15 years, and every day has been a learning experience, thanks to changing trends and technology.

I don't stress too much on things, be it failure or success.

I don't understand why they keep forks and spoons on the table while serving biryani. You are supposed to eat it with your hand, and I prefer it that way.

Food is my big connect to Old City, and I discovered the culture and history of the city by exploring food joints.

If you want to tell a new story, it is a risk. But then you have to do it in the best financial way as possible.

It's only when I have to do some bare body shots that I cut down on fat.