So when I studied history at Cambridge, I did a special subject in that, exactly that. And then actually that - while I was studying it was where I came across the so-called incident of the satanic verses.

If terrorism is to be defeated, the world of Islam must take on board the secularist-humanist principles on which the modern is based, and without which their countries' freedom will remain a distant dream.

When I was growing up, everyone around me was fond of fooling around with words. It was certainly common in my family, but I think it is typical of Bombay, and maybe of India, that there is a sense of play in the way people use language.

Madame Bovary and a flying carpet, they are both untrue in the same way. Somebody made them up.

One of the problems with defending free speech is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting.

When you are making an independent film, money is never an issue.

There is no such thing as perfect security, only varying levels of insecurity.