I never feel insecure when there are two female leads.

We are in an industry where, unfortunately, there is very limited scope for female-oriented roles. If we don't have options, how can we pick and choose roles?

I think female-centric films shouldn't be only about thriller or horror. Angelina Jolie has been doing all kinds of stuff.

A lot of people tell me, 'You are from North; how do you manage to get along in the South?' I don't know what to say to them. I've always felt at home here, and by learning to speak Telugu, my connection with the place has gotten that much stronger.

A postsecondary education is the ticket to economic success in America.

My parents told me that education was the path to success - and they showed me, taking me to Head Start while they were pursuing their own college degrees.

Success, I've come to realise, is fleeting so you shouldn't value it too much.

Just because you're a star on television doesn't mean that you can be a music phenomenon or an artist. You have to have the material to back it, and it's all about hit songs. I can name you every 'Idol' winner and why they didn't go on to have success - their songs. The ones who have - their songs.