I've helped save so many families with my music and inspire so many people.
On the contrary a film can promote the idea of change without any political message whatsoever but in its form and language can tell people that they can change their lives and contribute to progressive changes in the world.
When I made 'Vicky Donor,' people said it's not a family drama, it is for youngsters. But families also went and watched the film. Same happened with 'Piku' and 'October.'
I know that I do have influence over the people who watch me, and it's quite a pressure. I have to stay positive, and while I would never use the words 'role model', I am mindful of the responsibilities that come with a substantial viewership.
I've been on TV so much, and I think people like the message I give out, that MyPillow is just a platform for God, and it helps so many people.
Americans like optimism, and 'Once' walks a tightrope: you feel uplifted at the end even if you're crying.
I always say to myself that if I can make a movie that makes a kid smile or gives them some hope or something to get excited about, then I'm applying myself in the best way that I can. I don't think that just goes for kids. I think that it goes for adults, as well, and for families.
My constant endeavour is to offer something new to the audience. Every movie I pick, including 'Loafer', which offers a strong mother sentiment, tries to give the audiences a sense of watching something different.
When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don't want them thinking about when there's not any money, or when there's fighting at home. My message is always felicidad - happiness.
'The Voice' is built on positivity. Once we started filming, I knew that America was really going to love it.
With 'Ed Wood,' I sobbed. With 'Frankenweenie,' I was crying. With 'Edward Scissorhands,' I always cry. There's always an incredible amount of purity, even if they look a certain way.
...we must be a beacon of hope, because if you tell people there's nothing they can do, they will do worse than nothing.
I never wanted to do something grotesque. I never wanted to shock. I wanted my audience to be happy, to be kind.
I believe that, as actors, we have a phenomenal platform to spread positivity and influence people in the same way.
People crave encouragement, and sometimes the greatest encouragement is the writing of words that endure. Perhaps you can pen a note of affirmation and approval to someone today.
At the end of the day, TV is supposed to be entertaining. But it's important for me that there's some take-away value from it.
'You Should Be Here' set the tone that, 'Alright everybody, I want you to listen to this album.
I wanted to make an album that was hopeful and encouraging and inspiring. That was the goal.
Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time' was a perfect song. It was so beautiful and so heartfelt. Her vocals were so amazing. And, for me, that was a song I went to when I was feeling sad and wanted to feel even sadder.
I love 'A Mighty Wind.' Even though it's not a funny movie, I think that's kind of beautiful and sweet.
Striving to make music that empowers people as opposed to making them feel like they're being beaten down every single day is so important.
'Rise' is a fun web series but one that tackles the practical realities of our lives. It is a story that most of us experience in some or the other form, and that is what got me excited about the story.
Everyone has loved 'Chhichhore' for a different reason, which I think for an actor is the best thing to hear. What I've been most touched by is that most people have discovered something new about the film when they have walked in the second time.
Hope is necessary. It's a necessary concept. And Barack Obama didn't just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes.
He [Johnny Cash] always wanted to use his music to lift other people up, to say no matter how much trouble, there's hope. That was always his message in his songs. That's why he and [Bob] Dylan bonded so much, because they were both trying to do something meaningful.
