You know nothing about me.How can you be my fan?-Kangana Ranaut

To me, Mumbai finally feels like home. It's a great feeling because I came to the city with just '1,500 in my pocket. Being able to build a career with what I enjoy doing, and having a very comfortable lifestyle feels good. Having my own house is definitely an advantage. But again, it doesn't matter where you live. If you are not happy from within, you're not happy. Today, I have inner peace and I'm happy that I'm getting to do what I want to do with my abilities. My wealth is just a consequence of it.

Q Tell us about your journey, it has been a roller-coaster ride...

It's not that I could choose my roles. Being an outsider, I just made the best out of the work opportunities I received. I've done many supporting roles. Not that I felt I didn't deserve better, but I was never bitter about it. I never slipped into this state of mind where I felt I was this great artiste and I'd get depressed because I didn't have enough interesting work. I went with the same enthusiasm to the sets no matter what film I was doing. If I didn't have films, I would cook with a lot of precision. I just had to keep myself occupied and that's how I have lasted, especially during the phase when I didn't have enough offers. I don't take myself and my work life very seriously. For me, the primary things in life are health, people I love, friendships and peace of mind.

Q You have always been honest and transparent about love and heartbreaks. How have your relationships transformed you as a person?

I'm a result of my life's experiences -and I'm quite comfortable with who I am today. Maybe I would have done things differently... like gone to film school in the early part of my career as opposed to going now. In terms of my relationships, I tried my best. I have been very honest with the people I have been in a relationship with. I have met all kinds of people. People who have taken advantage of me, and then people I wish I was nicer to. Maybe I should have been wary of some people, but then I was young back then.

Q Are you looking for love at the moment?

Not at the moment.

Q What does the future hold for you?

I'm certainly interested in pursuing a career as a film director. I'm clear I want to make movies and tell stories. And if I have the time, I'd also like to try organic farming.

Q You charted new territory by directing a short film in California. What pushes you to do new things?

I didn't have enough job offers, and I wanted to do something with my skill set. I like to communicate and I think I have a creative mind. This film was an extension of that. I could still run my house by making appearances, brand endorsements and bit roles in films I didn't believe in. I told myself that if I had to start from scratch, I would rather be a writer and a storyteller. So, I went to California. I could afford to make it with my own money. Maybe someone else in my position would have bought a flat instead.

Q In 2014, you took a break from movies and went back to school (screenwriting course at New York Film Academy). What led you to make that choice?

There was a time when I was very passionate about acting and I felt it was all I could do. Then came a phase when nothing much was happening and I tried various things. Writing felt like a promising option, even though acting is far more tempting and rewarding in terms of fame and fortune. I'm 28 today and I can see myself living in an apartment, doing my laundry, going to classes and learning new things. I can still cope with lectures, modules and assignments. So, it was a conscious decision to step out of my comfort zone, do something new and, most importantly, learn. Last year, I had to let go of some films and a lot of money, but I chose to spend and learn.

Q How did your interest in the art of filmmaking develop?

It came naturally because I learned acting on the job.I still feel I'm not a very polished actor, but that's okay because I'm quite capable. I would love to be a polished director... someone who knows filmmaking by the book. When I first went to film school, they said that they couldn't teach the art part of it, but they could teach the required skills. So I'm excited and looking forward to joining the course at the end of April, but I'm nervous too. It's not going to be easy to leave all the comforts of home behind and attend classes all day (smiles).

Q Are you more interested in direction and screenplay writing rather than acting?

From my experience, I can say that the more I stay away from acting the better I get. Acting is about living life and experiences, and you can't be an actor by just being at home.

Q What does stardom mean to you today?

It's quite absurd that we are perceived as stars. I'm not quite comfortable with people identifying themselves as my fans. You know nothing about me. You have just seen me perform in a film. How can you be my fan? But there are people who comfortably say that they have thousands of fans. They are your audience and they will be around as long as you keep making movies. It's like gurus having followers. Why are these gurus pretending to be gods and why are these actors pretending to be stars? It's nothing more than a personality disorder. If I have to tell you honestly, I want an audience and not fans.

Q In an earlier interview you said that you wished you'd received better guidance at the beginning of your career. What would be your advice to the new crop of actors?

I truly believe that what happens with one person in the universe never recurs. So, all I can say is that don't sit at home and expect magic to happen. Do something about your dreams and ambitions.

Q Tell us about your new dream home.

Richa Behl (wife of Vikas Behl , director of Queen) helped me do it up over 12 months before I moved in. If I had to describe the decor, it is mountainhouse-meets-vintage-Hollywood. This is my fourth house in Mumbai and my parents were happy to see that it's a big house. Five years ago, I bought my first house, which was much smaller.