The people in Kolkata are very different. They don't wish to be super rich but give more importance to education than anything else. They are very innocent at heart, and one can sense a lot of purity in them.

I honestly believe that if you're not growing, then you are taking the space that somebody else would get if you moved forward.

I am a living contradiction.

I really wish I were a superhero.

For me, it's quite scary to go ahead to make my characters say things because, at times, you might actually be influencing a mind - and not one but many of thousands of minds.

I do think responsibility does come with a lot of power, and more than that, it comes with the fact that you can actually change the thinking of those not only in your country but in the countries where your films are watched.

I started working at a time when most of my friends were still figuring their lives out.

My holidays are generally impromptu, since a crazy work schedule is bound to eat into a long-planned trip.

I knew I wanted to make good television, create content that's massy, and provide programming that would invite families to come together and witness these 'reel' lives.

Through these years, I have attempted to create magical moments between my characters because, be it television or films, life is about the moments we create while living through it.

People have always wondered if I'm trying to push the envelope when it comes to my cinema - they keep questioning the visual graphics and the controversial content.

When I made TV shows, people called them regressive. Clearly, everyone wants to generalize everything, but I like to choose a middle path.

What I want to do with cinema is keep it as universal as possible.

There's no certain type of cinema, but there's a certain type of promise every film comes with. The agenda is to keep an eye on quality and live up to that promise.

People are always trying to figure me out, given the varied nature of my films and shows.

I would describe myself as eclectic: Bohemian in thought and conservative in action - or maybe it's the other way around.

Contrary to what everyone thinks, I'm not superstitious - I'm spiritual. And there is a huge difference between the two.

I cater to a viewer because that viewer's taste matters more than anyone else's, and I will keep him first in mind and then, if it also appeals to the critics, so be it.

I am not going to become a critical-acclaim-junkie at all.

I try to lead. I do not follow.

I'm my dad's biggest fan and, yes, sometimes his worst critic.

I've grown up watching 'Mawaali,' 'Himmatwalla,' and my love for masala movies started from there, and ever since, there's no looking back.

My father came from a chawl and became a top star in Bollywood and worked very hard for us. When I look at my dad, I feel very good that my papa did so much.

I believe that change is the essence of life.

Constantly adapting yourself to changing times is a very integral part of a successful person's personality because change is the only constant, and one should have the ability to change and adapt to change with time.

I love telling stories, I love entertaining, and I love my job.

Everyone believes or perceives me to be a ruthless cynic, but far from it.

When I want something, I go out and get it. That's Ekta Kapoor for you!

I've always had this fear in me. What would life be like if I wasn't Number 1 on television? But I've learnt to overcome that fear.

I have full confidence that the Sequel Queen is a tag that's going to stick... And I will be loving it!

I have always wanted to outdo myself, be it films or shows.

Balaji has always had great market presence, be it in film or television - everyone was talking about the titles, about what happened on the sets, even the most bizarre and outrageous things are out there to be judged by audiences who inevitably decide to come to the theatres to watch our film.

Even though you might believe you have the best product on the market or the best film in a really long time, not everyone will agree. The film may be the best thing since sliced bread, but you have to have great publicity to back it up.

Movie promotions - as with all business, it is an important part of any release because of the inherent high financial risk, and sometimes they tend to equal anywhere between half or three times the production budget.

I've always said time and time again that I hate anything conventional.

There will always be some films that the audience would like and some that they don't. But if I start becoming a slave to appreciation, I will be subjecting myself and my talent to one particular type of taste. I don't want to do that.

I don't want to be sitting and pondering over how many stars my film will get. It's rubbish! I make films that I like - some get really appreciated, and some don't. Till now, luckily, they have done well, but I can't become a slave to that. And I won't - never!

I would be surprised though if I don't get unbelievable critical acclaim for 'Dirty Picture' and a national award for my actress, Vidya Balan. The movie has one of the most well-written scripts I have come across, and a lot of youngsters in my office have looked at it with great admiration.

Diwali is chaotic in the Kapoor household, and that's an understatement. I normally throw a huge card party with all my close friends and my close knit group from the industry.

Though personally I'm not a fan of celebrating with fireworks, it is beautiful to watch the sight from a distance.

When I had introduced 'Kandy Floss,' I was a bundle of nerves... I had done a non-fiction programme before - 'Kosmiic Chat' with Sunita Menon. But this one I was really scared of.

I don't know if somehow success has made me conservative. With every passing year and with every success, I get more aware of the responsibility on my shoulders.

Very few know that I was a complete wild child.

There was a time I'd sing and dance at night clubs, but now I don't do that.

I've never had a problem with criticism. Whether films or television, I've lived with it and emerged stronger.

I cannot stop gushing over the reviews that 'The Dirty Picture' has garnered. I'm glad that people are loving it.

I feel whenever my shows are too hyped, they usually don't work.

I don't think hype always works. It can get you initial audience, but eventually, it's your story, and the characters need to hold audience's attention.

You have to show up when your show fails - or it succeeds. When you are enjoying the glory of success, you have to show up and still work hard because it may not last. You have to do your job with the same sincerity when you started and till you can actually do it with passion.

I cannot even begin to express how happy my baby's birth has made me.