Quotes from Shoojit Sircar

Women have initiated the change all by themselves. The credit goes to them. Men have had no role to play in the rise in women's representation on a film set.

Actually the writer is the most important part of the filmmaking process. That's why I never hesitate in giving credit to a writer which I don't think even Hollywood does.

I never try and send messages through my feature films; it's always naturally woven in and comes through on its own, as that's the way I think about society.

My films are based on themes, so I always go for theme tracks and background score.

I am really influenced by normal, simple, everyday life and people, like the Biji and Dolly in 'Vicky Donor,' who used to drink and say whatever they felt like. These characters were so lively. I have seen these people around me.

Human beings have become so insensitive to daily life, they don't remember what happened five minutes back.

You can understand the integrity of the filmmaker from his camera angles. You can't hide anything from it.

It doesn't matter even if I am slow or fast as long as my films are honest and carries my integrity.

Amitabh Bachchan is an intelligent actor.

I don't spend unnecessarily. The problem with the industry is we don't budget our films. Plus, we spend bizarre amounts on marketing. If you have a good film and a good trailer, you don't need to spend so much.

I've done a lot of ad films where an idea can be translated in 30 or 40 seconds. But in a movie, an idea needs to be stretched for two hours, and requires you to draw a bit from your experiences in life.

Women have shown their skills and that's why they have been accepted in the industry. It's through their skill that they have managed to make a mark for themselves and also earned respect.

I remember watching an Iranian film, 'A Separation.' When the film ended, I felt like going to Iran, getting that family together, hug them and just being with them.

I am happy that I am back and with a great project like 'Vicky Donor.' I have had a hard time in the past with 'Johnny Mastana' getting stuck but I hope this film brings positiveness into my life.

Slice of life comedy is something which I enjoy more. These moments make you smile when you think about them. And these moments work for a film as well, rather than slapstick comedy.

Love is not just defined by making love or kisses or gifts. It is beyond that.

When I made 'Vicky Donor,' people said it's not a family drama, it is for youngsters. But families also went and watched the film. Same happened with 'Piku' and 'October.'

My major influence is Satyajit Ray; his film 'Shatranj ke Khilari' was set in Awadh and it gave us memorable characters. Ray's musical scores and soundtracks were an intrinsic part of his films. And music to me is important, too.

I never thought a film about a sperm donor could work with audiences in India, but it did.

I never got interested in musicals.

If I had used real names, I don't think 'Madras Cafe' would have ever seen the light of day because it was a political film, an adaptation of a true incident.

A mother does a thankless job; they take care of their children unconditionally.

I am lucky that I am surviving in the industry despite the kind of films I have made, which are absolutely unconventional.

For all my films, location plays an important role because I like to give the authentic look of the place. And for that, one must go there and shoot at the right spots.