Quotes from Kamal Haasan

There is a lot to be learnt, and I am always dissatisfied. I am happy but not content.

Acceptance is the only thing you should teach. Be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Dalit, you must inculcate acceptance, not tolerance.

If my idol Mahatma Gandhi could fight to eradicate corruption at the age of 78, why can't I try at 60?

You must have anger, as rightful wrath is what makes you create your own ethical standards.

I cannot live on myths; somehow, science convinces me more easily. I am prone to lean towards science, ethics, and philosophy rather than myth, religion, and rituals.

Since I was 20, I wanted to make a short film and send it to international short film festivals. It never happened. I became too big a star to indulge in those things.

I don't have tiffs with people. I only mind my business, but whatever interferes my freedom of expression, I have always voiced.

When classical singers or dancers look at cinema with derision, I have half a heart to tell them that they're wrong. They're losing a platform.

Today, we should look for people with great organizational skills to run a government - not just leaders, who are good with people.

Tell me, when do you become a respectable person in society? When you start respecting yourself. That is when you take care of yourself, that is when you comb your hair, groom yourself, and cleanse your body. You do all this because you respect yourself.

We are not exercising our democratic rights properly. We need to stop looking for solutions in others.

Thanks to history books, I have realised that people over the years have been dying of war, and that enabled me to realise that there is nothing stupid like war.

If I were to believe in the stories of the of the gods, then the gods do not need mortals to defend them, do they?

Even if the country is run by a Mussolini, free speech will find its way.

I am a 21st century man. I don't believe in magic. I believe in sweat, tears, life and death.

The box office is a black money laundry shop. No business is straight.

All stars are businessmen. Once you decide to become a star, you are talking about money, fame, and being successful.

All my films are statements, especially when I write them.

If you ask my opinion, I don't look at a film according to its box office collection.

I write the occasional poem. I think my dabbling in poetry makes me better at screenplays. Poetry teaches the value of condensing, the importance of talking in a few words.

I used to be a wannabe Genghis Khan and will always be that. He never lost any battles. Then I swung to the other side of the spectrum and settled on Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Now I realise I should identify myself with those who strengthen my argument.

I am opposed to autobiographies, mainly because most autobiographies lie.

I am not the opposite of theism. I am right in the middle of those non-believers and believers. It's not even about being agnostic or nastik. Why would I take a name given to me by my opposition? I am just a rationalist.

I audition for almost every role. I get into auditions even when I am just producing a film. Not that someone would fire me, but I keep trying various tests and keep working till I learn the job.