It's very difficult switching over from one character to another.

'Freaky Ali' may look like an easy role to others, but it is not easy.

I still can't believe it when people say I am a celebrity.

Being a recognised face has its problems. I miss the freedom to go anywhere I want to.

I interact with journalists all the time, and I note how they behave.

The success of 'Kick' will help in the marketing of other small budget independent films I have acted in.

A big blockbuster like 'Kick' expands the audience for my films and makes it easier to promote them.

'Ali' is the story of a lower middle-class golfer who becomes a champion. I find the game very interesting and would like to continue playing it regularly after the movie is wrapped up.

I think there is no racism in this film industry. They are only in need of talent, though it takes time; but, if you are talented, you will get your due. I am thankful to be part of this industry.

Love stories should be relatable.

At first, I was hesitant when it came to giving autographs, thinking that I am not even worth giving one. But slowly I got over that phase.

I don't believe in the 100 crore club.

I feel happy that I am being honoured for doing films of my own liking.

After graduating from National School of Drama, I started doing theatre in Delhi. But there was not much money in Hindi theatre.

I have seen many teachers in real life, which come from the same background and morality and treat their profession like just another one rather than a noble profession.

Like the way we get to know about the society of Korea, Iran, and other countries through their films, people will get to know about our country. Our films are a mirror of our society.

I used to clean the sets and serve tea to the artistes.

Bollywood has always pampered heroes and treated actors as second class citizens. But, of late, it has realised that there has to be space for actors who can connect with people.

There are thousands of ways to make people laugh - satire, black comedy, slapstick.

The village I come from is the most ruthless, lawless land one can encounter.

It's not necessary that every film has to hit Rs 100 crore box office, or the Rs 50 crore budget. If the film makes double of its project budget, we consider that a hit, and that also means that the film is in profit.

Most people go to ashrams or retreats to destress and rejuvenate themselves. But I come back to my roots, the place where I spent half my life. And when I return, I spend time in the farms, eating a stalk of sugarcane, driving a tractor, and chilling with childhood friends.

In Mumbai, you have to act in real life, too.

I found the brick-making process fascinating - how, after being burnt, the brick would come out strong. I liked to sit on the stack of bricks and look as far as I could. I'd do the same at a hillock near my school - just sit on top at leisure and enjoy the feeling of being on top of the world.

When people say I'm a star, I don't believe it.

The easier it looks on screen, the more hard work goes into making it so.

My character in the first instalment of 'GOW' was very shy and reserved. It was completely different from 'Kahaani,' where I played a no-nonsense cop. And in the second instalment of 'GOW,' it is again very different.

I believe everyone is mad when they are in love, and I don't think that can ever end.

The difference between an actor and a star is the budget and the overall presentation of a film.

I am trying every genre.

When someone is looking at me, I feel they are looking at someone standing behind me, not at me.

I am a five-foot six-inch, dark, ordinary-looking man. People didn't imagine that I would make it.

I always thought golf was a game reserved for the rich and the elite... But it's a misconception. It's a highly technical game, and it's a game that you can play and master alone. You require sharp skills for it, and you can play the game alone.

Many actors come and disappear into oblivion. But not Salman Khan.

I grew fond of acting rather late. And that was because I was not getting any job. I had a few friends in Delhi who were associated with theater. They took me to see some plays in Delhi and Baroda. That led me to believe the I could also act. And it was after that I joined National School of Drama in 1993.

Muzaffarnagar is 40 kilometers from my village. So I used to see films if I was able to save money and on special occasions like Eid, Diwali.

At NSD, I had an amazing experience learning everything from stagecraft to western drama and Shakespeare, Maxim Gorky, Anton Chekov.

'Kahaani' gave me popularity and 'Gangs of Wasseypur' stardom.

The film industry is mostly about unidimensional characters.

I was shooting for 'Kahaani' and 'GOW' back to back. I was in a village on work, where a man extended a paper to me. For a minute I thought he wanted another actor's autograph. I looked back and forth, but there was no one. That was quite an experience.

Often when I feel I am reaching a saturation point in my performances, I think of coming back to NSD and attending workshops.

'Freaky Ali' is not a heavy film. It's a simple but inspiring film. It will inspire those who want to go from zero to hundred. People who have made an effort to achieve success from nothing will be able to connect to the character.

I don't understand what A grade commercial cinema is. If you are talking about box office success, mine are A+ then!

If I am expected to play a dancer, I will learn dancing but won't do the random, meaningless dancing.

I was fortunate enough to get an author-backed role in Aamir Khan starrer 'Talash.'

Only heroes get stereotyped. As they do the same kind of roles again and again.

I am quite looking forward to working with Shah Rukh Khan.

Commercial hit films such as 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan,' 'Talaash,' and 'Kick' had big superstars to sell them; that may not have been the case if it were just me.

In 'Haraamkhor,' I have explored a few things which I wouldn't have been able to do in bigger films. The process of shooting this film was so organic that it enhanced me as an actor and an artiste.

I have never thought about creating an image for myself in Bollywood. I am an actor and just want to experiment with roles. I am ready to do all type of roles.