I disagree entirely with the Censor Board! Their interpretations can never be objective, because it suggests you are dealing with facts. Whereas cinema is not necessarily dealing with facts. The recent furore over Fire is patently absurd. To say it (lesbianism) is not a part of Indian culture! Is it a part of any culture? The film is not about lesbianism. It is about how, in a patriarchial system, the role of women is undermined. Your subject is life itself.

This `art' tag bothers me enormously. Very arbitrary way of defining films. Art in India is a pejorative term.

I've never been attracted by the glamour of film-making, but it's excitement. I'm not enamoured of seeing my name in newspapers.

What does money mean to me? It means as much to me as it means to you! What I mean is, if anybody says he doesn't like money, he's lying through his teeth! Where I draw the line is, I'm not willing to trade my principles, my philosophy of life, for it. Other than that, Ilove money!

It has kept me in reasonable shape, made me a less anxious human being. I'm from a middle-class background, where the prime anxiety was not enough savings. What I have managed to do is not be so anxious any more. I have an independent form of living, I don't have to worry where my next meal is coming from. I have enough to keep me in reasonable comfort. But by no stretch of imagination am I living a life of luxury!

I don't think I'm money savvy. I am a terrible businessman. I think I'm reasonably pragmatic... not actually sure!

Money just flies out of my house. But I'm not a spendthrift, and I don't spend on myself.

With my first salary, I paid my rent, which was overdue! I don't like to owe people money.

Money is a medium of exchange. That is its primary role. It helps in facilitating exchange of commodities, talent, everything. It means you are securing your future. Beyond that, I don't think an individual should concern himself with it.

If someone left me a million dollars? MaybeI'd make a magnum opus! Why not!!

--As told to PUNAM MOHANDAS