The JD, as a party, is dead.

Our government has been pro-poor, progressive, and people-oriented.

For cyclone-proof energy infrastructure, we would definitely explore all possibilities, including international support.

Development of Kendrapada is now my responsibility. I will personally monitor development of the district.

The people of Odisha know who fulfils promises and who does not. We believe in works and not in words.

After 2014, a number of my friends from Delhi rang up very concerned because they thought I was in bad health. But my health has always been good, and I told them so. They told me that this is what Baijayant Panda was spreading. This was a shock.

My sister is not interested in any political positions; not in Rajya Sabha or anything else.

If India is to lead the world, if India is to be an advanced nation like America and China, then women empowerment is the only answer.

I am very grateful to the MLAs for unanimously electing me as the BJD legislature party leader.

I believe in constructive cooperation from the central government for any development and welfare schemes for Odisha. I want to work in cooperation with them for the development of the state.

We always need the support of the Centre.

I want to clarify that as far as the Mahagathbandhan is concerned, the Biju Janata Dal is not a part of it.

I am always with poor and will continue work for protecting their interests.

Where is special category status? Where is women's reservation bill? Where is the farmers' insurance? Why did Odisha not receive any cooperation and help from the Centre?

Rising fuel prices, growing agrarian distress, and unemployment are the three major issues to dominate the 2019 general elections.

Aska is going to create history and show the way to the entire country by sending a member of women SHG to Parliament and four women members to the state assembly.

I have fielded mothers, whose empowerment can bring the real double engine growth.

Centre supports Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in Polavaram and Mahanadi cases. They are sidelining the interests of Odisha.

There is no question of any alliance with the Congress party. The Congress have always neglected the people of Odisha.

My government's pro-women initiatives, starting from Mission Shakti to Mamata, along with 50% reservations for women in the panchayat and urban local body polls have helped empower women in political, social, and economic spheres.

Millets are an integral part of tribal life and a staple diet of tribals of Odisha since time immemorial.

I think what is important is that my work speaks for itself.

My action against corruption has been well acclaimed by the people of Orissa.

I face no problem in communicating with the people of Orissa whom I meet everyday.

My father did not groom us for politics. I took the plunge because I wanted to carry on his work in his constituency.

Orissa is cursed by the two tragic extremes of drought and famine.

My father used to say that you haven't learnt anything about politics unless you've been out of power for at least 10 years. That's why I am certain I am here to stay.

My party will not be with any BJP or Congress-led government.

I come from a secular background.

I don't have time to think about my pre-politics days. I am so very busy.

There is nothing called negative character. The negativity and positivity exists in all of us.

I love observing people. Each face tells so many stories. It lets me understand emotions, and that, in turn, helps me apply my skills as an actor.

My job is to work hard and be honest with my character, and that's in my control. I can only try to give my best performance.

I prefer if friends come over to my office and we talk our heart out over a cup of coffee. I feel that no one talks freely at industry bashes. Everyone has to behave in a certain way, and I think no one is real there. We can't have heart-to-heart conversations, and I start feeling uncomfortable at such dos.

Rituparno Ghosh is a legendary director, and I happen to be a huge fan of his.

I kind of discovered Kolkata when I was shooting here for 'Kahaani.' I found the city fascinating.

I am doing characters that have so many layers. And I am very lucky that I show a lot of variety.

I feel satisfied after achieving something difficult.

I was determined to be an actor and make a name in the industry, and hence, I did.

Behind every easy role, there is a lot of hard work that goes in.

Looks is a matter of perception. At Cannes, Europeans think I am good looking, while in India, I am not.

I am ably balancing big and small films. With every big film I do, I try to take up films that are high on content and small on budget.

The Indian audience is getting exposed to world cinema and realising the power of unique plots and distinct characters.

I can go back to poverty if a situation comes. I have sailed through the worst days of my life, and I am prepared for any crisis.

Back in 1993, I was studying in Delhi, and I had a girlfriend. I had never touched a girl before that in my entire life. One day, I decided to go out with her to a garden. We were sitting beside each other, and I just glanced around to see if anyone was looking at us, and I put my hand over hers. I thought love started in this way.

How long will we keep making films where hero-heroine is dancing around trees?

I have done theatre, and I enjoy the process of smaller films a lot more. When I do such films, there are certain things which I get to do which are untapped. The scenes give me the liberty to play and mould the character in accordance to the director's mindset.

I used to be the best comic actor in my batch. Everyone knew that my comic timing was impeccable.

I do big films just to experience personal satisfaction.

Background scores allow me an absolute flight of the imagination, and I travel in my mind's eye. I do not like the scores to have vocal notes, because they act as a limitation to these flights of fancy.