Quotes

I don't know why but it's been my destiny that I get along better with men than with women.

In many ways I feel that my life is like my first film, Anthuleni Katha (1976). The character in the film is naive and trusting and has to go through a series of experiences to discover herself. My life has been like that too. Starting out as a small-town girl, I have come a full circle, doing things I never thought I could. Fate has been kind to me. I have no complaints. When you stop questioning and your loved one stops explaining, it means you've reached the perfect understanding.

[on being married to a man who is already married to someone else] Love is not about power but about acceptance. I'm very sure that I cannot love anyone else but Shrikant Nahatafor the rest of my life. I've accepted him and I'm not going to change that just because our circumstances are complicated. . .his wife Chandra and I now share cordial relations. We've both accepted that we cannot live without Srikant, and if we have to live together, might as well do so amicably.

As a young girl, I didn't always want to be an actress. But from the time I started off, I have loved it. In fact I always say that if I am reborn, I wish to be an actress again!

My big break in Hindi films came in Sargam (1979) in which I portrayed the role of a mute dancer. The film was a remake of my Telugu film Siri Siri Muvva (1976). I observed mute students closely in preparation for the role. The film opposite Rishi Kapoor was a resounding success.

On learning Hindi to help with her Bollywood career: I kept a tutor who rehearsed my lines. I was keen to do my own dubbing. I would get up at 5 am, take my Hindi class and then leave for my shoot. I would again work on my diction at night.

[on her pairing up with Super-star Rajesh Khanna in Dil-E-Nadaan (1982)] It was my first film opposite the Superstar. I was very nervous on the sets. But he made me feel comfortable and corrected my lines. And the comfort level we shared was apparent on the screen. Rajeshji is a unique and sensitive artiste. Acting opposite him, one can learn a lot by carefully observing his skills.I did 5 successful movies with Rajesh Khanna sahab.

[on her reported rivalry with co-star Sridevi] There was no jealousy. All our films were done in a professional manner.

[on her debut in Telugu films] My mother loved art and got me enrolled in music and dance classes. I began learning traditional Indian dance forms when I was only seven. My dancing skills were noticed at the school's annual function and I ended up bagging a three-minute role in the Telugu film Bhoomikosam (1974). I was paid Rs 10 for the role.

[In 2026, when asked about her biggest regret] My marriage to Shrikant Nahata. It was a wrong decision. I was at my peak in my career, and that wrong decision troubled my career and life. I struggled so much for that. One day, I decided that instead of a lifetime struggle, it's better to decide once and for all. I have had enough of my struggle. I moved out. Today, I am happy to be making my own decisions, and I look up to my career and my family members.