When I write an original story I write about people I know first-hand and situations I'm familiar with. I don't write stories about the nineteenth century.

At the age when Bengali youth almost inevitably writes poetry, I was listening to European classical music.

Cinema’s characteristic forte is its ability to capture and communicate the intimacies of the human mind.

The director is the only person who knows what the film is about.

The only solutions that are ever worth anything are the solutions that people find themselves.

I don't understand these national awards, because half of those who sit in judgement over Indian films do not... possess the competence to evaluate a film correctly.

My films play only in Bengal, and my audience is the educated middle class in the cities and small towns. They also play in Bombay, Madras and Delhi where there is a Bengali population.

There's always some room for improvisation.

Last, but not least -- in fact, this is most important -- you need a happy ending. However, if you can create tragic situations and jerk a few tears before the happy ending, it will work much better.

Particularly in the final stages I always find that I'm rushed. It's dangerous when you're rushed in the editing stage, most of my early films are flawed in the cutting

It was only after Pather Panchali had some success at home that I decided to do a second part. But I didn't want to do the same kind of film again, so I made a musical.

Everything originates first in the mind and all things are born there primarily. After the thought has occurred, manifestation happens.

Love is also a violence, and cannot be undone.

Did you know that even 50 years after all other countries had abolished slavery, the Netherlands refused to?

The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider's web.

I've always had levity in my songs, so I like to turn things over, twist them around, and make fun of myself.

She wondered why she’d ever thought trusting someone who wore that much eyeliner was a good idea.

I was able to work with two heads. If anything, doing ads and other commercial work were at least exercises in discipline.

I am finishing a biography of [Gustave] Flaubert. Because he is the opposite of what I am. One needs to rub up against argument.

I'm always sort of reflecting on what I do on what I've done. Usually before I make a new album, I'll listen to the previous albums just to see where I've been.