Quotes from Asrani

Quality cinema is not changing anything, everything is the same. The artistes and other people involved in these films get some recognition at international film festivals and award shows only.

Politicians don't laugh very often. That is their problem. Humour is very important in politics and I think the politicians should laugh more to get better results.

I had always thought that Gurgaon was some village, it was only when I came here that I realized that it is nothing less than a world-class city.

I have seen Hollywood artistes like Al Pacino, Tom Cruise and Tim Burton doing theatre and Broadway shows. Cinema actors tend to go back to theatre because it gives them an opportunity to reinvent themselves.

I did odd plays, took up small roles. The good part was that the audience always remembered me. However, it used to be quite embarrassing when people used to ask why I was not coming in movies anymore.

One doesn't have to resort to cheap imitations of characters or people around you to make others laugh. At least, that is what I've always believed in.

I have toured with the likes of Laxmikant-Pyarelal and performed in places like U.S., Canada, and Europe.

When I was in film institute, stage plays were compulsory part of our training.

My institute days were the most enriching days of my life.

BJP's agenda was all wrong. They claimed that India was shining. Is it a utensil which will shine when rubbed? They fooled the people by these slogans and tried to divide them on the lines of religion.

Every actor tries to come to Broadway be it Richard Burton, Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor or Shirley McClain.

Mumbai is more film based and cosmopolitan. It consists of a mixed community, but I personally feel that Delhi is more sophisticated and enjoys theatre more.

It is good that people are experimenting with cinema. They are trying to do serious and soulful cinema but such films don't stay in theatres for over a week. People ultimately go and watch Salman, Shah Rukh and Amir Khan films.

If there is an all India party in the country, it is the Congress. This is a party of poor people which believes in unity in diversity and which does justice to all.

I am glad that actors like Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan are doing justice to comedy. But in our days, nobody could beat Sunil Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan.

The stage is one place where you come face to face with your audience, unlike cinemas where you cannot see the applause or the booing by the audience.

The Gujarat model laced with the Godhra stink is a model of hatred that has taken 2,000 lives, while the Congress model has given 83 flagship programmes and scores of people living below the poverty line have been brought under the Food Security Act.

I was studying in Jaipur when All India Radio was inaugurated. As a child artiste, I participated and was selected for a children's programme.

I had to work in 'Mastizaade,' I felt embarrassed.

There was never a conscious dream to enter films.

I think time has changed a lot and you need to be presentable all the time. Social media has become really important and I feel some artistes must not be sleeping as they need to be visible all the time.

Theatre contributes in the growth of an actor and lets one know the real worth of acting.

It is important for an actor to learn how to face a live audience.