Quotes from Vivek

As a huge admirer of Vivekananda, I love reading 'Sayings of Vivekananda.'

I am a great fan of veteran artistes N.S. Krishnan and M.R. Radha. They had great social awareness and were never afraid to raise their voices against vices in society.

I was shocked when I first read the script of 'Vellai Pookal.'

I like Robo Shankar - he evokes laughter, he has a unique body language and style. I loved all scenes of his in 'Maari.'

Encouragement makes an actor perform better and boosts his confidence.

Only by planting trees, we will be able to overcome global warming.

We are not insisting on planting trees just because of global warming. Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam insist on the necessity of trees. Especially in Hinduism, the peepal tree is worshiped as Lord Ganesha while neem is worshiped as a goddess.

Direction has always been on the cards, and I love writing.

Whenever I see someone wasting water, my heart skips a beat.

I have always been vocal about preserving water and living a nature-friendly life.

Under the guidance of the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, I have been doing this green initiative. My aim is to plant 1 crore sapling in Tamil Nadu.

I got busy with planting saplings after I started the Green Globe initiative.

Comedy was never a scarcity in Kollywood. Comedians of great calibre have emerged from this land.

If your daughter loves tennis, don't send her to dance classes. Let them learn spirituality. Don't shut them up in air-conditioned rooms where they watch TV all day and snack on chips. Let them get out, play in the dirt, sweat it out and come back home.

Education is the key to abolishing caste system.

Bring up your daughters with courage. When the future becomes one filled with questions, they might have to fight against it. Women must be able to defend themselves.

In 'Saami,' I take a poor dhobi's son for admission to a private school. The principal refuses for various reasons and finally he points to the boy's bare body. Immediately, I tear the furnishings off the office chair to convert them into clothes for the boy.

I was never considered 'a marketable hero', and never got promoted to that category. I am not complaining - I found another niche - comedy - which is equally enjoyable and brought me as much comfort as I need.

After the age of 40, human beings are prone to various infection, diseases and physical damage. Engaging in regular exercise is the only way to combat such issues.

Comedians have to entertain the audience within a stipulated time. It is not possible to explain what we intend to convey in a detailed manner. This can only be done in films where comedians are the protagonists.

AR Rahman has always been a good friend of mine.

I rate 'Naan Thaan Bala' as one of the best performances of my career. It was a rare feat, perhaps in Indian cinema, that a popular comedian played the lead role in a film that didn't have even a tinge of humour.

I enact as a female in 'Guru En Aalu' for the first time.

I am an avid reader of Sidney Sheldon thriller novels.