- I joined acting classes, but midway got an offer to act in Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar (2001). But I messed up so badly that I was thrown out. It became a sort of ego issue for me and I continued going on the set to see what I needed to do to become an actor.
- I remember that I refused to dub for my first film Footpath (2003). This assistant told me, 'Bachchan ki tarah dub karo.' I showed him the middle finger, as I didn't want to be like anyone else. Finally, Vikram Bhatt had to dub in my place as the film had to be released.
- I was never really interested in studies and was hot-headed and rebellious in college, as I was totally confused and insecure, but was not coming to terms with it.
- My grandfather (whose surname was Hashmi) was a journalist, who separated from [my grandmother Purnima] and went away to Pakistan during partition. Though my grandmother re-married, my step- grandfather [Bhagwan Das Varma] died and she never had kids from that marriage.
- [When] I started assisting Vikram Bhatt, I was a lazy assistant and hated going and calling actors from vans and had a big ego. Mohit Suri would do that, I wouldn't.
- My grandmom [Purnima] ..knew that I neither looked like an actor nor could dance nor had the passion for Hindi films, so she was happy with me taking up second or third lead roles to at least make money. But I was clear that I needed to do something substantial and could not be just another name on the credit list.
- Bhatt sahab [Mahesh Bhatt] .. felt I could be an actor and nudged me to become one.
- My grandmom [Purnima] was wealthy and originally owned the famous Ketnav theatre, which, at that time, was a bungalow where she lived with her second sister. She had a lot of money and my dad tells me that she owned a Buick and several other big cars. She was not financially savvy and had to auction her house, due to poor paperwork.
- [Mahesh Bhatt]'s mother [Shirin Banu] and my grandmother [Purnima] were real sisters and both were actresses. And so, my grandmom probably secretly yearned for me to become an actor.
- I end up seeing the larger good and adapt to it, provided it benefits me. I may come across as a cold person, but I am extremely sentimental. I know that I get hurt easily, so I put on that stern front.
- [The media] felt that he doesn't even look like a hero, kiss karta hai, so they panned me. But I don't give a damn about what people say and am never apologetic about what I do.
- [Commenting on how the tag of serial kisser affected his career] Too much is made out of sex and kisses in our country.
- I am a bit rigid about time. I have realized that a fairly large chunk of the actors in the industry feel that coming late makes them bigger stars. I won't extend my time by even an hour, as I expect others to respect my time just as I respect theirs.
- Mahesh Bhatt sorted my life and steered it in a direction, at a time when I was totally confused. He has called me all kinds of cuss words in front of other people from the industry, but he is the only one I would let get away with that, as I feel he has the right to. What he has given me is priceless. While I don't want to be dependent on anyone, I know, at the back of my mind, that he is my guru who I can call whenever I need to.
- If someone pulls me down, I pull them down as I don't feel I should live my life in the way other people want me to.
- I am a bit difficult to be around sometimes. I can be stubborn on a lot of things, and I'm set, but I can also adapt in a conflict situation and don't hold on to an ego.
- I do edgy, dark cinema and, possibly, the industry as well as the media negate those films, as they are not used to seeing films which are not action, comedy or romance.
- If they have a problem with my films, I can rip off their films, be it comedy or their family dramas, which are low on content and have over theatrical acting. Just like they think that I am too subtle and a one-note actor, I think they scream their lungs off onscreen.
- The industry wanted me to change, but I would not change. I am clear cut and cool-headed and will not waiver on that.
- I went for the Kumbh because it's something amazing. I wanted to experience what was being talked about the whole world, where there is a confluence of not just two rivers but also a sea of humanity, people from all walks of life, all religions meeting at one place with just one common thought, that of being close to God. My aim of going to the Kumbh was not religious at all. It was curiosity and the excitement of being there.
- I don't want to put my best foot forward and prove something, as that is not me. I would rather be me and have you like me for who I am, instead of being someone else.
- I come across as a brash and egoistic person, but you need to scratch the surface to know me and that takes time.
- If a woman did not like me, I would step away and would not pursue her after that, but with my wife, I chased her for three years.
- I am not good at first or second impressions and you have to spend some time with me to know me.
- [My wife] is shy and I love her for her simplicity and vulnerability. Both of us are stern, but not rude. Both of us stick to our guns and it is generally I who will relent, if there is a difference.
- I went to Kumbh to enjoy it and see for myself what happens there. Not one should analyze it or dissect my visit too much.
- Rahul Bhatt, Mohit Suri and a whole bunch of us would just hang out at Pali Hill looking at these fast cars with blaring music. We were extremely naughty kids. I knew that I could use my innocent looks to get away with murder.
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