Growing up in Texas and Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was more famous than John Wayne to some of us. I knew him. I worked with him on a low budget film years ago, and we'd sit around at night while waiting for a shot.

I came out to Hollywood when I was just 18, and my dad, he was really into Hollywood and theater and art, and I guess growing up, he exposed me to a lot of culture, and I just started making Super-8 films in high school and decided I wanted to be a filmmaker.

I got to direct a human interest sports drama - to this day, one of my proudest achievements in my career and a source of undying pride.

In the old days the studios guided your career. Now it's all up to you.

Films like 'Namo Venkateshaya' give immense satisfaction, happiness, and makes us feel blessed, and so I consider it the best film in my career.

We have a wonderful film lined up early next year called 'Desi Magic.' It showcases me in a double role for the first time. This movie has offered me the most challenging role of my career so far. It's weird I chose to do my toughest film with my own production house.

With advances in technology come new in-demand career paths.

I think women should inspire. It is our duty to inspire young girls to play a sport, whether it's just for enjoyment and keeping fit or to actually go on and try and make a career out of it.