I do feel a little nervous as I am starting a film after so long. Doing ads isn't the same as doing a film.

Would you say that you have the independence of working when you want to?

If I have the luxury of such independence, then I have worked hard for it. I guess all of us have independence to certain degrees. It is what one does with this independence that matters. I have always taken decisions which I felt were right at any given point of time. So, I have always done what I felt like doing. There has been no plan. I am happy, because things could have turned out otherwise.

Does not working when you don't want to have its plus points?

Rather than doing more films, working when I want to gives me more time and space to be able to work in a fulfilling manner. This also gives me a lot of time for myself.

Is it important to you that you work with established film-makers?

I have worked with established names. And I am still approached on and off by certain established film-makers. But what matters to me is whether I am excited by the subject or the person making the movie. I have usually selected films on the basis of the quality of the script or the competence of the director. I have gone wrong sometimes, but choose not to dwell on this.

Are you affected by insecurity?

I have always felt insecure about my position, but this has never made me do more films. I guess everyone is insecure, irrespective of his or her position. But my insecurity hasn't made me take desperate steps. I can live with my insecurity.

How important is money to you?

Money is important, but money is not the most important thing in my life. At the same time, money is not something I am careless about either. In fact, there isn't anything extravagant about my spending. I spend my money on regular stuff--petrol, food, books. I have no particular indulgences.

Any offers from Hollywood?

I have had offers, but nothing exciting. My criteria for doing an international film remains the same as the criteria I follow here. So, at the moment, The Rising is the only film I am doing. It is being shot in two languages with a huge British cast.