When will we realise and accept in all humility, confess that we are busy making bad films, films which make no sense at all?

When will we learn that we have to give the people their due, the entertainment they deserve?

When will we individually and collectively realise that we have to put in much more hard work, sensitive work, creative work if we have to be known as makers of good cinema, fulfil our dream of being one of the best in the world?

When will we realise that films is the largest means of entertainment in the country which can be also used as a medium to enlighten and encourage?

When will our music directors realise that playing a hundred violins, fifty guitars, ten sitars and all kinds of drums alone cannot make good music?

When will our actors and actresses (all included) realise that we have to work as actors and actresses and acting is a mission and not a game to make money?

When will our filmmakers stop falling at the feet of everyone who offer them money to make their films and then sell both their souls and their films to these men who make money, eat money, drink money, sleep money?

When will our artistes realise that their job is a mission, that they are gifted by God not just to make money?

When will our audience learn to force filmmakers to make better films?

Why don’t we have girls who can be called actresses who can give us performances which we can remember for all times?

Why are Indians always good as technicians who say they find it tough to work with artistes who have no calibre? Answer to my questions anyone?

Sushma Shirodkar, Kolhapur:
What’s happened to the great filmmaker, Manoj Kumar?
You must remember that every filmmaker, even the best of them like Manoj Kumar have their ups and downs. Manoj Kumar is facing a lean patch these days but he is the kind of filmmaker who will live films, die films. He will fight back. I hope he fights back. Where do we have filmmakers like him these days?

Kumar VK, Patna:
Why is everyone, including the enlightened Aruna Raje making films on Khajuraho?
In Mera Bharat Mahaan nothing sells like sex sells. They say their films are different. They say their films are message-oriented. They say that their films are made to enlighten the audience. The basic fact, however, remains. These films give them the opportunity to depict sex in all its "glory". And like I said nothing sells like sex sells in sex-starved Mera Bharat Mahaan.

Vincent Rego, Abu Dhabi:
Three of my friends lost their lucrative jobs and went away to Mumbai. They wanted to make it as actors. We have not heard of them for about a year. What do you think must have happened to them?
They must be lost in the crowd of strugglers. They must be still trying to prove their talent to producers but no one seems to be convinced. They don’t want you to see them as strugglers. The next time you see a party scene look carefully, you may find them, wearing suits with a glass in their hands or work in the crowd scenes.

Amar Kumar Rathod, Rajkot:
My father was a broken-hearted man. He wanted to see me as a hero. He spent all his money on me. He sold his house in Rajkot and bought a flat in Versova, Mumbai. He encouraged me to keep struggling. He had great faith in me. He sent me to all the acting schools. They promised me that they would get me a break. He didn’t live to see that break. He died a broken-hearted man. I will never be able to forget or forgive.
This is a very emotional and personal case. There are so many other boys and girls who are struggling and keep struggling to make it as actors and actresses. In your case your father was more ambitious than you. And he paid the highest price for it. I have never heard such a sad story. My heartfelt condolences to you. I know it will be difficult to fight your struggle alone but keep struggling atleast to fulfil your father’s wish.

Abhay Ghadi, Mumbai:
Will Madhuri Dixit, the only actress I have ever liked give up acting for good?
You don’t need to worry. She has made it very clear that she will never give up acting. Only difference is that she will do just one or two films in a year. She is also trying to make it in Hollywood where she will settle down finally.

RS Chopra, Lucknow:
Is BR Ishara deciding to make a comeback after such a long break?
He has not only decided but completed his first comeback film, Sub Kuch and is about to start Unmaad. The fire is still alive.

Jesudas Muthu, Mumbai:
The first two attempts have not been good enough for Abhishek Bachchan. What do you think about his future?
Abhishek was not bad in his first two films. The films were not the kind of films he should have started with. He is a very talented boy and acting is in his blood. The son of the Big B can not be given up so easily. He surely will not give up if he is his baap ka beta.

Vivek Seshadhar, Hubli:
This is a question which many must have asked you. But I am asking it because I have to make a crucial decision about my future. How does one make it as an actor?
It’s a difficult question to answer. Any way, the first thing is that you have to have the ambition and the talent to act. You must get yourself trained in the art of acting and then look for work with your hand on your heart all the time. Anything can happen here. Yahan par bhagawan aur bhayya humare tumhare jaise bachchon ke saath khel khelte rahte hain.

Anwar Khan, Muscat:
What is the easiest way to make it as a hero? Kuch bhi karke hero banana hai. Kya karoon?
It’s not easy my friend. To be a successful actor is not easy at all. Agar tum jo kar rahe ho usse khush ho to wahi tike raho. Yahan abhi, is samay hallad ghullad hai. Phir bhi main tumhe koshish karne se nahin rokoonga.

Indu Walia, Delhi:
How is Dilip Kumar’s health now? I have been a fan of his for the last fifty years.
People’s love and prayers have made him hale and hearty again. He is settling down again.