Archie Panjabi

Archie: I always knew I wanted to be an actress but used to wonder if I would ever find a man who would accept that about me. I guess I am lucky to have eventually found someone who, in addition to guiding me, reads my scripts and talks to me about it. I treasure his advice. I always feel there's two of us in this and mentally it keeps me stable.

Archie: (about working with Angelina Jolie in "A Mighty Heart") Great fun. We just clicked as soon as we met. I say it's probably because we're both Geminis, I tend to get on extremely well with Geminis, it's like you find your twin. And we tapped into each other's energies really well. Because it was the two of us and six men and not just in this industry I think women there's always some sort of tension, more than likely the women don't get on and the men do, but I think everybody was really surprised that we got on really well, so it was us against them and I think they were scared of us. (Laughing)

Archie: (on the lessons she learned after doing "A Mighty Heart") It was all so obviously sad, I mean how could you not feel upset and angry over something like that. But what I did learn from the entire incident and now after making the movie, is that it is always better to not have any bitter feelings or any hatred but to come out of these times with dignity and grace. That is one of the things I learned from Marianne Pearl and it is truly a great message.

Archie: One of the things I love about my career is, if you choose your projects carefully, you can go from one character, and I think every actor has the ability to do it, and you can just completely transform yourself.

Archie: I believe one of the most important ways of combating racism - and trying to get people to accept everyone for who they are - is to just cast from a group of people and see which one is right.

Archie: (about her view on spirituality) I've always been quite psychic and believe there's a reason why things happen and that we need to learn from them. I think that is especially important in this business, it chews a lot of people up. It's one of the hardest professions in the world to maintain any kind of stability.

Archie: (on her wanting to become an actress) My parents were very supportive, which was truly great and I did finish school, because they wanted me to have something to fall back on, just in case. So as long as I satisfied that concern, they were fully supportive.

Archie: I like to do new things, so I always take on roles that I feel will keep me on my toes. I never want to pigeon myself, so I always like to surprise myself. I believe in versatility and so I would play anything as long as it was a challenge.

Archie: (on the acting profession) This business does really rob you of your innocence. I feel a constant struggle all the time. I don't ever want to be hugely famous because I had a little taste of it after East is East and Bend It.

Archie: I think it is vital to fight to do something you want to do despite not gaining your community's or your friends' approval.