We must have song and dance in our lives; we've had it ever since the inception of cinema in India. Our stories are very social-based, very human-based. We are a very emotional nation.

Indian actors, because of the format of our stories, need to be good actors, and be able to perform emotional sequences, do a bit of comedy, dance and singing, action, because all of this forms just one film. In many ways I'd say there are greater demands on Indian actors than there are on Hollywood.

It's a great opportunity to be together apart from celebrating Indian cinema.

India as a film-making nation has gained recognition, at last, at most important Western and Far Eastern forums.

Since its inception, our Nation has stood on the foundations of compassion and justice.

There is a time of reckoning in all our lives.