Quotes from Aditi Rao Hydari

No artiste wants to be boxed. We thrive on challenging roles, and they can come from anywhere. I consider myself blessed to be recognised as a pan-Indian actor. Yes, it means more hard work, prepping more for the roles, but I'm all for it.

I don't have the privilege of choice to say, 'I want to work with you,' and the person will say, 'Yes, come on, I will write a film for you.' It doesn't happen for people like me who come from the outside.

Most of the parents in India, especially in smaller towns, fear for daughters due to the inhuman treatment meted out to them. They want her to go away, saying, 'You're not my responsibility anymore.' I don't understand: why don't we nurture our girls?

Labels are limiting, and I don't like them.

I think the saying that diamonds are a girl's best friend can't be truer. Which girl doesn't love diamonds?

If I trust the people I work with, then I deliver my part with complete trust.

It's archaic to think about films as a solo lead or multi-starrer.

I want somebody to push me and grill me and extract a performance out of me which nobody expects.

As films are a mass medium, if more people love your work, it is better.

I guess people feel that if you're working with good directors and are known in the Hindi film industry, then you won't work in South films. However, I believe that films have no boundaries of language, religion, or cast. If it's a good script and a good director, I can do a film in Spanish as well.

I would rather like my work to speak for itself.

For me, love is magic; it's about trust and understanding. It's putting the other person before you effortlessly.

My great grandfather from my father's side, Sir Akbar Hydari, was the prime minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was instrumental in setting up the Osmania university. His wife set up the Hydari club for women so that they could play tennis, and she also set up the first girls' school in Hyderabad.

I didn't get that great a launch as an actress, but slowly and steadily, I made my presence felt in the industry.

When a script shows two individuals attracted to each other, why can't they kiss on screen? As far as the scene is honest, not meant to titillate the masses, and, most importantly, I am convinced about it, I am okay with it.

I play my part in my films with utmost honesty.

I am very petite and feel that structured clothes look very flattering on me. That's why I always pick up clothes which are neat, pretty, have lace or made of soft fabrics.

I am grateful for all the opportunities I've had.

People of same age group bond easily at various levels, as they have same concerns.

I've followed Mysskin sir's work, and I really like his style of filmmaking.

I like to look effortlessly beautiful.

For someone, success is to be the highest paid actress. For some, it might be the number of awards, and for some, it is the number of films. Honestly, I feel privileged when a celebrated filmmaker offers me a role so that I can be a part of his vision. That is success for me.

I'm a director's actor, and I surrender myself to the vision and the process. I think nothing else matters then.

It's always exciting to work with people you admire.