Quotes from Himani Shivpuri

While touring in and outside Mumbai to do theatre, I got some good offers to act in films, which brought me success and I continued to do movies.

I used to think that Bollywood is a place where actresses are required to expose. I didn't want to act in films.

One day, I got a call from Aditya Chopra and he said, 'Ma'am, I am Aditya Chopra speaking, Yash Chopra ji's son. I am making a film and I have a role for you.' I was so simple at that time, I told him, 'Ya fine, I am shooting at Noor Mahal bungalow, you come and meet me there.'

Sadly, a lot of our traditions are fading away and theatre can be a great tool to ensure that it doesn't happen.

I have touched all genres, be it comedy, tragedy or negative roles.

They want younger girls, not old ones like me, as heroines. This is the tragedy of Bollywood. It is male dominated.

I think an actor should look for a good role irrespective of its length.

I joined the National School of Drama in the 1980s and for anyone who joins the NSD, they eat, sleep and breathe theatre for three years.

Pranayama and yoga are the most essential exercises and I make sure that I sleep sufficiently.

I enjoy working with Doon's talented, young actors and also get to learn from them.

Now when one goes to Dubai, one does shop a lot. I bought a lot of exotic food like Tofu and smoked salmon, which are generally not available in Mumbai.

I don't connect with shows where we have women looking ultra-glamorous all the time, including in the kitchen.

It makes me very happy to see the enthusiasm that youngsters have these days to pursue acting.

Television takes an actor to each and every home, but the life of a television actor is only as long as the soap runs.

The most challenging part of being an actor is that every time you play a character, you have to start from ground zero.

I hardly watch any Indian TV shows and prefer watching a good film or reading over it any day.

Kajol is a very moody person. If she likes you then she likes you but if she doesn't, then she will not like you. Fortunately for me, she liked me.

In theatre, the uglier you are, the better actor you are.

I am proud to be a daughter of the mountains.

I can say that if anyone has worked to save the mountains, they are women.

I teach theatre in Mumbai and at the National School of Drama, as I want to remain connected with it.

The taste of street food in north India can't be found in Mumbai.

I played a lot of roles in my mother's life. I was her driver when she wanted to go to places, her cook when she was unwell, but one role that remained unchanged is that of a friend.

The stage is my first love. It gives me immense self-satisfaction, a sort of power because a stage actor carries the audience along; it's a live performance; spontaneity is its soul.