Quotes from Suhasini Maniratnam

Actors should be writers. While a writer puts the story on paper, an actor puts it on screen.

Not many people know that I turned down my husband's first directorial, the Kannada film 'Pallavi Anupallavi,' something he still hasn't forgiven me for.

In Chennai, I do film reviews for a local channel. Every second movie I review is by a debutant. There is so much passion and freshness in those films; that makes them special.

After 40, every day is a bonus. We should know how to live our lives to the fullest.

I do things normal event managers cannot do, thanks to my years in the film industry.

Just like only qualified people should work in films, only qualified people should review the film.

In Queen Mary's, which was an all-girls' college, I learned discipline, hard work and to be competitive. But at Madras Film Institute, I learned about the world, being free and knowledgeable, and thinking beyond oneself.

In fact my first film ran for about 400 days. It all depends on hype, marketing and publicity, which are actually more expensive than the actual film.

There are about 250 curators in the world who keep their eyes open to choose films from around the globe for festivals. I am one of them.

Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves' changed my very idea of cinema.

Though I read and speak Malayalam, Malayalis won't accept outsiders speaking their language.

I don't believe in God, in prayer, in going to temples begging God to give me and my family happiness. I am not asking everyone to be an atheist, but good thoughts are not spent in a temple.

Though the first day of college was scary, I gradually adjusted to the environment and started enjoying myself with friends, lecturers, sports, and college day functions.

I got a Best Actress award from the Kerala government when I was 24, and I got another one when I was 42. I was more thrilled when I got it for the second time.

I love the food of Karnataka and all the side dishes I make at home are recipes I learnt here.

Films are a fantastic medium and the huge impact they have cannot be denied.

I have a great sense of humour. I am teasing, taunting and authoritative.

I hate myself seconds after I've gotten angry but it's too late by then. I start defending my actions after that. It's shameful.

The economic freedom has come to a lot of us who are lucky, but many women are still beaten up by husbands, even when they are breadwinners.

I am not into the mother sentiment, really. My heart is not into this ideal mother role; it does not work for me.

I don't think women are being sidelined or ignored. If they are talented enough, they will get films. But they need to be more ambitious.

Raja Ravi Varma was one of the few Indians who not only understood women but also represented them exquisitely in a single dimension within four frames, infusing each painting with life through the use of color.

We south Indians are clannish and comfortable about our languages.

I have seen a lot of people who are affected by HIV. When I see that there is industrial growth on one side but there is not awareness on the other side, it breaks my heart.