In my journey, I got amazing characters to play which were as interesting as a lead role. In 'Commando,' my role was so good. I feel no actor have rejected that kind of a role.

At one time, smaller, and story-heavy films were not appreciated much but exposure has made the audience aware of what great story-telling is. This has also ensured that the right actors are cast for the right kind of roles.

We all go through the phase where the work is slow and aren't sure if what we are doing will have returns in the future or if it'll reach people at all. You can't fight that.

Hathiram Choudhary is a vulnerable, intense and deep character. Like every common man, he just wants to prove himself and better himself. But he is also bound by his philosophies.

You have to play your part as an actor at the end of the day, regardless of the medium.

More than being a star, I want to be an actor. This may sound cliched but that is how it is.

When the coronavirus-positive cases were 500 in the country, you ordered the shops to shut down, and now when the tally has crossed 50,000 you are opening them. I don't understand the logic.

If tomorrow someone writes a romantic story, I'd like to bring a romantic shade of mine too. When someone puts that trust in you then you can do it.

When you come from FTII, people take you seriously. The environment at the institute is very conducive to learning.

While Anurag Kashyap is a very chilled out guy and let his actors pitch in with their ideas, Kamal Haasan is an encyclopedia in himself. Merely listening to him enriches one so much.

Ups and downs are part of life. One has to try out his best and march ahead.

Unlike star kids, we do not have the liberty to do anything and be famous.

FTII had people from all over India and abroad and they had a different mindset. They would talk about world cinema and there I was - the only foreign films I had watched were probably Arnold Schwarzenegger's and dubbed in Hindi at that!

I have known Abhishek Banerjee for a long time. There have been a lot of films in the past where we were rejected together. We have seen each other's journey. He is an amazing actor.

I come from a family of educationists and both my parents as well as my younger brother and his wife are teachers.

As an actor, it filled me with joy that 'Raazi' was well-received and it gave me an identity and improved me as an actor. It was Meghna Gulzar's guidance that brought out the best in me. She is a receptive filmmaker who knows the art of extracting a performance.

When you stop searching, wanting and wishing things - only then they start appearing.

Acting is just part of my life. It is not my life. Whatever time I invest in acting I give my 100 per cent. But there are other things which are also important and I like to give equal attention to them.

I love Sanjeev Kumar's cop portion in 'Sholay.' Manoj Bajpayee in 'Shool' was also amazing.

More than good co-actors, if you have understanding co-actors, it becomes easier to relate with them. Many actors become insecure and get personal, which is not right.

They say, you don't get anything before time and more than fate. I truly believe that and have never felt the need to fight it out, to say 'why this didn't happen earlier.'

Pataal Lok' explores the depths of human and societal immorality through a captivating storyline and exemplary talents.

In the time you make one series of 9-10 episodes, you can make 3 films.

The time I heard the script for Hathiram's character in 'Paatal Lok,' I was sure it is one of the best characters that I had ever been offered. I am extremely overwhelmed with the kind of responses that I am getting for the performance.

Who doesn't want to be a lead hero?

One should approach life with a realisation that nothing is permanent.

As soon as the director says action, an actor has to do the same work no matter if the screen is small or big.

Every one wants to play a lead, be it negative or positive and I'm no exception.

Even after my film 'Khatta Meetha,' I was jobless for a year.

You get onto the stage; you can shout and express yourself. Your negative energy gets consumed.

If one keeps working hard then no one can stop them.

I hope many think that I can also do vulnerable parts and not macho, antagonist parts in which they've seen me.

I don't think anyone will be able to answer why one did not get success from their work. It's just part of life. Sometimes your work is good, but the character does not fully reach the audience.

Most of the characters I've been offered have been very dominating and self-assured, maybe because of the way I look.

Hathi Ram's journey intrigued me. He is a very vulnerable character. I was never offered such a role of a man who is a failure in life and is desperate to prove himself. It was a good change for me to play someone with such a nice arc and so many shades to his personality.

When 'Raazi' released, I think I was ready to embrace complex roles and some challenging characters with responsibility and restraint.

There's a reason why you attach the luck factor to your hard work. You work hard in every film, but there's always that one film that comes at the right time and does the best for you.

Gangs Of Wasseypur' was a confidence booster for me.

I am ready to work hard, do comedy, romance and action. Just give me that trust.

I am okay with the fact that my work reaches out to the people.

We humans need to reboot and learn to have gratitude for our doctors, police officers, or those providing essential services, otherwise they would feel that it's a thankless job. They risk their lives for others and don't even get time for their own family. We need to be more compassionate, caring towards them instead of misbehaving.

When you are on a journey, every pit stop is your favourite.

Every actor has his own approach towards acting. I believe you do not become the character you are playing. You may get closer to it but you do not lose yourself. There's just a reflection of the character in you.

For an actor, his job becomes easy, when his character is described well on the paper. With a well-written role, it becomes simpler to design and understand your character.

Ever since my childhood, I had an urge to always stay in the limelight.

I am even ready to dance if someone is willing to write those parts for me.

Fame is a mirage.

Two directors always come with two thought processes.

Becoming the character you are playing might work for some, but for me, it doesn't. I always maintain a gap between myself and my character because if I will go so deep into it, it will get difficult for me to come back. You should work towards understanding the psyche of your character and then play it.

It's an extraordinary story told with simplicity. 'Raazi' is about people who put the country before anything else.