Quotes

About Anupama (1966): "People would joke that my film was such a big hit because Indian men found an ideal woman in Uma, my heroine - because she barely talks and remains a timid introvert!"

It's more difficult to portray simple emotions on screen than complex ones. And that's why I try to delve more into such themes.

I try to make my films like sugarcoated messages, but the sugar should not exceed the medicine.

Irrespective of what people may say, I believe my 15 best directorial ventures were Anand, Mem-didi, Naukri, Satyakam, Guddi,Bawarchi, Chupke Chupke , Arjun Pandit, Golmaal, Abhimaan,Rang Birangi, Namak Haram, Ashrirwad, Guddi and Anari strictly in order

[ on Rajesh Khanna] I was actually in awe of right from time I saw his acting capability in Baharoan Ke Sapne and Aradhana. When due to different reasons the plan to make Anand didn't materialize between 1963-70, after watching his performance in his earlier films, I concluded Rajesh would fit in the principal lead hero role of Anand.Rajesh was simply a great actor who gave what director wanted in very few minutes of the director calling the shots. His image among the public was of the sophisticated stylish man.But he was actually very simple man and a directors actor.He would improvise suddenly while shot is on and surprise me. I regard his performance in Naukri as one of his finest. I wish I had done more films with him even in 80s. Rajesh was ever ready to cut his fee by 70% to do my films. I felt I should not take advantage of his generosity else maybe he would have starred in films I did with Amitabh, Amol Palekar and Raj Babar in the 1980-89 era.