I am somebody who is not too fond of fancy or commercial stuff, like dancing around trees. Even in the 20 films I have done in South, none had any of such stuff.
Culturally, I remember listening to Salil Chowdhury's music for Malayalam films. Many Bengali actors have worked in our films, too.
In the beginning, in 1975, just how big a star Kamal Haasan was, today's generation does not know.
Malayalam cinema has given me the biggest break and has been like a school for me on how to perform.
I am pleased about making a comeback in Bollywood, but then I really cannot think about leaving South Indian cinema. Whatever I am today is because of South films, and I cannot give up on that.
One reason why I've taken 11 years to make my second Hindi film is because I am comfortable working with the stars in the South, as they are with me.
Bollywood is a different ballgame. I am quite used to Tamil and Telugu films.
Apoorva Raagangal,' 'Moondru Mudichu,' 'Avargal' - these were all my guru K. Balachander's films; I became a hero with these three films.
The fact that I have done films down South didn't boost or hamper my chances here. In fact, I was still shooting for both my Telugu films when I met Ashu sir for 'Mohenjo Daro.' During the audition, he gave me five scenes with lengthy dialogues. Once I cleared them, he gave me a song to dance to. So, my Bollywood entry was no cakewalk.
I know that it's the southern film industries that have made me an actor, and that is where people relate to me the most. I would never give it up or separate myself from it.
I was born and brought up in Chennai, as the entire Telugu film industry was based there.
'Kabir Singh' is the Hindi remake of 'Arjun Reddy.'
I would like to make a film in the four South Indian languages.
Back in the day, I was keen on working on a film with the superstars - Mammootty and Mohanlal. But they wanted me to make a film with them in Tamil.
I'd love to do a musical on the lines of 'Salangai Oli,' 'Sankarabharanam' and 'Sindhu Bhairavi.'
Luckily, neither in my Tamil nor in my Telugu movies do I have roles that require exaggerated emoting.
I had a very good experience while working in regional films. I have been very fortunate that way. There is no doubt that the South Indian film industry is very much at par with Bollywood.
I have done films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada. I don't find any difference.
I owe 40 per cent of my success to films from the south like 'Himmatwala,' 'Toofan,' 'Mawaali,' 'Maqsad,' Tamil and Telegu films such as 'Big Boss,' 'Apurva Shar,' 'Gangleader,' etc. I salute the south for contributing immensely to my success.
I wanted to work in Tollywood ever since I did the Tamil film 'Anegan' with Dhanush in 2015.
I'd love to do more Tamil films; unfortunately, I don't get any substantial roles.
Most of the actresses I have worked with have started their career in South and then shifted to Bollywood.
Malaysian Tamil movies are amateurish, with songs picked up from our old Tamil movies and inserted in between.
Wanted' and 'Rowdy Rathore', which I directed in Hindi, were remakes of Telugu hits. Telugu films have contributed to my growth in a big way.
Minsara Kanavu' was a hit in the South, but not in the North.
