But money means options. When I started my business, I was a nobody. I still feel insecure. My decisions would have been more practical, I would have realised my own strengths long back.

This field-the leisure industry-is very focussed. I like to generate employment and create action. Today, we're employing 2,000 people, a fact on which even the chief minister of Karnataka commented.

I rely on absolutely nobody as far as financial decisions go. I do have professional people to advise me, but I take the final decision. I would say definitely, yes, I'm money savvy, or I'll put it this way, that I know how to utilise it.

I don't like the stock market. I feel there's absolutely no corelation between what's happening and the basic strength of a group.

I've built my house in the form of a French chateau. But I wouldn't call it an extravagance, I don't want it to look as though I'm showing off. But yes, it's a creation. And I did go all out, and spent a lot of money on it.

I don't believe that if you have money, you should flaunt it. One needs to maintain a more composed life. One does not necessarily have to behave like a beggar, but you don't have to show off. See, being in the corporate world, you do have to maintain a certain lifestyle, but basically, you should just be comfortable. So many things have become necessities rather than luxuries.

I spend a lot of money on travelling. And I socialise a lot, I enjoy meeting different people. I'm certainly not a miser. If it's something close to my heart, I don't consider budgets, I don't want to compromise.

Money is something definitely, but it's not everything. The greatest thrill or kick is expanding. A few crores here... a few crores there. Apart from money, it's the attitude. Money and Power are two different things. Although money does generate power to some extent, ultimately people will look at what your contribution to society has been.

If there were no such thing as money in this world, we'd go back to the barter system. More traditional.

I like money yes, but I've never thirsted for money. Never gone after it. People who do that are very insecure, I feel. Why do people really require money? To have a reasonably comfortable life. I like that too, but I don't like to waste money. I feel that's a crime.

(Mr Rajeev Reddy is chairman and managing director of the Amrutha group.) -As told to Punam Mohandas