Quotes

I have rubbed many a producer the wrong way by disturbing the schedule, but it has paid off.

I wasn't too happy with the I-don't-want-to-listen-to-it attitude of our youngsters towards film music. Why can't we get our guys to listen to our own music rather than to Michael Jackson? I didn't want us to lose the market to the West. The music had to be cool and rooted, and yet had to branch out. It was like the wild imagination of a child... but it worked... it did travel beyond Madras and attract people.

About his belief in Sufism: "I'm a deeply spiritual person. Sufism is about love - love for a fellow human, love for all round humanity, and ultimately love for God. For me, it's where music and religion meet - at dargahs, you will find qawwalis. That's my inspiration."

About his song Vande Mataram: "It had to be unlike the one played on the radio for years. I wanted a sound that would connect me with people and capture a collective energy."

I hate the word [Bollywood]. I think it's derivative and it doesn't represent the entire film community in India. There's the eastern film industry, four industries in the south - they all make extraordinary films. It's like saying the whole of the West is Hollywood.

[on winning the 57th Filmfare Awards for Best Music] I want to thank Imtiaz, and all the singers of Rockstar, and everyone who has worked on the music along with me.

[on film star and activist Aamir Khan] In a world of false diplomacy and evasiveness, Aamir is a straightforward man. A man of his word. His movies are commercial successes, but they also display a sense of social responsibility: they tackle important themes like poverty and education. He uses his gifts as a charmer to give his audience the most bitter medicine. Hypnotized, we take it without complaint. That's Amir's magic at work.

"All My Life I Had A Choice Between Hate And Love. I Chose Love, And I'm Here" - On his Oscar winning speech.