In life, there is good, evil, love, and hatred. What we desire, choose, and need to pursue is in our hands.

When I joined films in 2002, there were all kinds of rash and unkind comments that were made about my looks in the reviews.

I've seen poverty up close until I was four or five.

I made shorts films, learning the dos and don'ts. Most importantly, I've been editing all these short films. Nothing can teach you filmmaking like editing can.

If there is no music, I will perish. While I have not learnt music, I can play the tune that comes into my head on the keyboard.

I have played so many romantic roles that I don't know if I am really a romantic in real life. I get confused about the real me.

If I was not an actor, I would have been working in a five star hotel as a chef.

Revathi madam is a legend, and I have seen young actresses set her performance as a benchmark.

I've always known that I'm very, very ordinary looking. But I'm not alien looking. I am an artist here to play characters.

I haven't experienced college life. It's the phase that my character in 'Raanjhana' is set in. But it isn't that bad, either. I have nearly 30 films behind me and a National Award to boot.

To be honest, more than what I prepare, it's the directors who do the bulk of the work, researching, collecting data and all that. I like to see myself as a processor: they feed me with the data, I give the output.

Wherever I went, I became a son-in-law. It was a terrible phase for me. I had to work double hard to get back my identity. Whenever I gave an interview, the first question would invariably be, 'What is it like to be his son-in-law?' Now that question comes somewhere in the middle of the interview. Hopefully, soon, it won't be asked at all.

I never wanted to be a part of the industry, as I had no knowledge about it. I am one of those rare and really lucky people for whom the calling identified me and not the other way around.

Many people find their calling very early in their lives. These are the kind of people we read about in school books and newspapers. Then there are some who don't have a clue of what they want to do in their lives; I am belong to the latter category.

I wanted to master the art of cooking. Maybe, when I slow down and do one or two films a year, I will learn how to cook and pursue it as my hobby.

I took up acting upon the insistence of my filmmaker father, Kasthuri Raja. But I am glad for it: sometimes one identifies one's calling; sometimes it singles one out.

When I hear senior actors discuss their experiences, I can relate to them.

My dream is to become a director. I want to direct a Hindi film. I have two scripts ready. One of them is a fantasy-adventure, while the other is a thriller. I've assisted my brother Selvaraghavan, who's a well-known director in Tamil cinema. I've also made short films.

I get emotionally attached with every film I do, and that stops me from being critical. I can't fight my emotions.

I suffer from stage fright, so I blabber on stage and stop midway through my performances. I cannot even write a cheque, as it makes me nervous. Being around people makes me nervous. But I'm very comfortable in front of the camera, and this I realised many films later.

It is so nice to get so many compliments from fans and people from within the industry.

I prefer being called director Aishwarya Dhanush's husband. She and I share our passion for cinema, but at home, we hardly talk about it. Instead, we share other interests.

It's a huge burden to be known as Mr. Rajinikanth's son-in-law. Once I married his daughter Aishwarya in 2004, I lost my identity.

I'm going to be quite choosy about singing. If I connect to a tune and like what I am offered to sing, I'll do it. I am an actor by profession, not a singer.