Quotes from Rohini Hattangadi

Once, while shooting in Pune, I decided to experiment and ordered an item named Shepherd's Pie. I thoroughly relished it, only to be later informed that what I had was beef. I couldn't sleep that night! My only consolation was that the cow was English, not Indian!

I guess I do what I like and enjoy my job thoroughly, that reflects on my face.

I guess my training at NSD helped for I had developed a habit of building up my character and getting intense.

India came to be known in the West because of 'Gandhi.' Otherwise, they still thought that tigers roam around on the streets in India.

There are many situations in life where we don't think while behaving in a certain way. Then there are instances which leads to the realization that maybe this is happening because you had behaved in a certain way. This thought at times is self liberating, according to me.

Once the shooting for a film starts, you have to go abroad for it but your family is here. The constant shuttling takes a toll on you, and so I won't pursue roles in English films but yes, if I am offered a good role I may consider it.

After I played the mother in a few films, I was only offered mother roles. I just wanted to act; so I don't regret doing any film.

The way the Indian cinema is going, I think more and more films on new topics will be encouraged by the audience.

I was playing Sultan Razia and had a habit of twitching my wrist when I took a movement.

Films I did initially, like 'Arth' and 'Saransh' are really close to my heart.

NSD gave me the vision to see further and they exposed me to integrated works, right from working on the backstage to even doing the costumes.

Having trained in theatre, that is what I enjoy most as it gives the scope to grow as an artist with every individual performance.

The first time I saw Dr. Shriram Lagoo was way back in school. I did not interact with him. It was only after I completed my training at the National School of Drama in Delhi and came back to Pune that we had our first exchange. I participated in a play, and he sent me a message to call him.

Shooting for 'Gandhi' was a revelation for me. We were all given scripts and then we were asked to do our homework. I searched for books on Kasturba, but I found only two books, that's all. So I had to rely on my own skills.

As actors we keep on hoping to get that one good role, but at times we have to go through a lot of trash to get there.

Gandhiji was educated in an English atmosphere, and if you understand the British, you can truly understand his principle of offering the other cheek when you are slapped on one.

Be it television or film, or theatre, I can modify myself, develop any character and slip into any role.

Actually, 'Char Divas Sasuche' was my first ever Marathi serial. I have done many other serials but as a daily soap, this was the first.

Our filmmakers need to be true to their culture to gain appreciation at international level. Though I don't wish to generalize but do I feel that Indianness is lacking in most Indian films these days.

I remember I would work in the South industry and Hindi TV industry too along with doing 'Char Divas Sasuche' and that was the reason I never got bored.

Some things can be hidden on TV with the help of cameras but in theatre, you are seen live by the audience, so you can't get out of your character.

So, theatre will always be my first love. It's not that I am trained in it, but I also feel that theatre gives an altogether different experience every time it is played. But a movie and a TV show is always a one time experience for me.

We were shooting a scene of the Phoenix Ashram in South Africa, but the set was in India. All the donkeys in the vicinity were painted black and white to look like zebras in case one of them strayed into the scene so that it would look like South Africa.

After 'Gandhi', Bollywood offered me mothers' roles. I played mother to heroes older to me like Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakrbaborty.