I have always strived to keep earning in order to pursue my career, which is creative, original and aims at being spectacular. Unfortunately, I am always short of funds!

To me, money is an extreme necessity of life, and I earn it through hardship and honesty without hurting or harming anybody in the process. 95 per cent of it is constantly reinvested in our troupe for improvement and expansion. But 5 per cent I definitely keep for enjoying life with my family.

Our investments are hardly worth mentioning. Somehow, I am able to invest in LIC and some other saving schemes because my tax consultant forces me to save for the future.

Our day-to-day life is involved in trying to fulfil my mission and make more people happy. Hence, we have no guilt for not being able to contribute to other charitable causes. I am against giving money to beggars or people who are notwilling to earn their livelihood.

Moreover, we are running non-profit cultural institutions in Delhi and Calcutta and ourselves need donations! We always have to depend on donations and sponsorships.

I am definitely not a miser. At times, I do put on some designer dresses or other belongings, to be proud of my profession as an artiste. Tanushree and I don't argue about money. We have a common attitude towards money and materialism.

I am someone who is always looking for (financial) advice, for I have never done anything unscrupulous to save money. Nor do I understand stocks and shares. In my case, I have not been tempted to run after money, but always felt that if I work hard with an aim, money and fame should run after me! And this philosophy has always kept me happy. So, we spend as much as is required to maintain a `status' in society--honestly achieved!

-- As told to Punam Mohandas