In our industry, we don't have too many choices, life goes on, and a known devil is always better. All I can say is, if I was money savvy, I wouldn't have made films that go constantly over-budget. I would be a fool if I didn't admit that I have the habit of being indulgent towards my films. I do have an understanding of money. What I do is subsidise the big films by the inflow of films that are essentially remakes; perhaps this has been the reason for my survival.Money definitely is power.

Once you reach a certain level, you only need money for power. And I mean the power to use money constructively, not to misuse authority.No, I wouldn't consider it an evil. How can it be so? I would never use it to destroy anyone. In my hands at least, it cannot be evil.I think shooting a song in Alaska for my film, Pukar, has been my most extravagant deed.

Personally, I'm a spendthrift. I'm into all the luxuries of life. I enjoy shopping good food, good clothes, good cars. I don't mind spending time or effort on anything that is worth trying for. But not at the cost of my self-respect or depriving anyone of any good that I can do.Yes, I suppose money does tend to affect relationships, that is natural. But it depends from situation to situation. It also depends on how you look at life.

You make money to enjoy the incentives, the power. It's not a mad race all the time. Film making can be a very cushy business too.I remember travelling in trains, buses. Today, the memory gives me a kick. Back then, it was a necessity. Money is no more a means of enjoyment, more a means of comfort level.If there were no such thing as money is this world? One would trade; we would have a barter system.

Do I influence my children in money matters? As of now, I've left it to their mother. But I haven't seen the need to press on any such dictates, because they don't have any unhealthy or expensive habits.Yes, today, my brother, Anil, and I have parted ways professionally. Earlier, I used to take advantage of his position in the sense that, since he was doing well, it was easier to get finance for our movies.

But it was never the idea that he was not free to do what he wanted, and there is no hardline decision-if I need any money, I know I can just ask him. It's just that I wouldn't want to be dependent on my younger brother's earningsp-- As told to Punam Mohandas