It gave me a lot of pleasure and pride that 90 percent of the crew for 'Monsoon Wedding,' and most of my film, are women. We get the work done, you know, much lesser play of ego... And I really believe in harmony, I believe in working in a spirit of egolessness and that the film is bigger than all of us.

I often begin movies with music in my head; it's a very important dimension to me. Not just the music itself, but how to use music in film: when and how and subtlety. I don't like to be too sweet in my stories, and I like the abrasive clang, the contrasting of sounds and cultures.

Americans are not used to being bombed in their beds, but if you come from anywhere outside America, it's not highly unusual.

In our house we say 'adolescence' is a western word. We don't believe in it.

I am an independent film-maker first and foremost. I have always cut my own cloth.

I've never sought to be on an A-list. I've done my own thing and my own thing has thankfully now brought me an audience.

It is because my roots are so strong that I can fly.