Many people, including me, thought it was too early for me to play a father to two grown-up daughters, but I found the script of 'Dangal' irresistible. I had to do it!

If the role is challenging enough, I don't see why I shouldn't play an older man or a father figure. It is not about playing what you are in real life. We are called actors for a reason!

For me, acting is not a job. It is something I love. I don't do these things for awards or rewards. I do them because I love challenges.

When I prepare for a role, I try to get inside the character's head and understand him.

I feel that, in India, we have films that have tackled various issues over the years, but perhaps one of the issues that we've tackled less is the issue of caste-ism. That's an issue we've more or less stayed away...

When material comes to me, I don't care where it's coming from. Japan, Singapore, China, Africa... it could be from everywhere. The material should excite me. It's not important where it's coming from.

Creative people have no barriers. Ultimately, it's connecting with human beings. There's just one planet. I don't see it as different countries.

Essentially, it is the director who is the creative head of a film. The final authority on all decisions lies with the director. That is how it should be. And then other team members can give their creative inputs.

The way actors interact with their audience via Twitter is a part of their personality. So if I interact less, that is a part of my personality. I am mostly lost in my own world.

My films are so new and unique that I don't know where I will end up. Fear keeps me alert. And it's also a part of an excitement.