Tinseltown actor Robert Di Niro is seen playing memorable characters like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. However, when he was quizzed about his real-life heroes, he named out Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.Niro, 70, is presently in Goa, India, where he will be participating at the ongoing THiNK Fest 2013. Sharing his thoughts, he said, "I have many real life heroes as my inspiration. Mandela, Peres, James Dean, Marlon Brando and from India... Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi. They are strong people with a big heart," De Niro said on the sidelines of the festival. "I try to be more empathetic towards my characters. I try to understand its position by putting myself in their shoes. I feel I am lucky to get into these lives without having to pay a real price," he added. When confessed that he doesn’t remember his early film days, he said, "I really don't remember..." He also said that he has no idea why he wanted to be in cinema and he started his career at the age of 16. "I dropped out of school and enrolled in Stella Adler's acting school, to the surprise of my friends and family. When she (Stella) asked me why I joined this profession, I didn't have an answer. She answered on my behalf that since I wanted to express myself so I chose this profession. I nodded and repeated the same line," he said. Speaking of Indian trip, he added, "Indian people are very nice. I came here 35 years ago and promised that I will be back in couple of years. I got busy and even tried to come last year. But it didn't happen." Glad you came now!
