I'm not satisfied in the sense I am not looking for any roles

In the words of Dimple Kapadia, "I'm not satisfied in the sense I am not looking for any roles, but I do make peace with myself saying that 'I am not the best in the world.' But I have tried to give my best, and I want to get better." These words, uttered by a woman who has known both the heights of fame and the humbling truth of self-reflection, carry within them a profound wisdom—a peace with imperfection and a commitment to growth. In them, there is a profound surrender to the reality of human limitations and yet an equally deep resolve to continue striving, to give one's best, and to remain ever in pursuit of improvement.

Consider the ancient teachings of the great philosophers, who understood that true greatness was not in being the best but in the pursuit of virtue itself. Socrates, when asked about his wisdom, did not claim superiority, but rather acknowledged that the only wisdom he held was in knowing that he knew nothing. In this, he found freedom—not in the certainty of being the best, but in the humility that comes with the constant pursuit of knowledge. This is the essence of Kapadia’s words. She does not seek to be the best, as the world often defines it, but instead, she seeks to give her best, to embody the humility of self-awareness and the relentless drive for personal growth.

There is a wisdom in this that speaks not only to Kapadia’s journey in acting, but to the journey of life itself. How many times have we looked upon the world, seeking to compare ourselves to others, wishing we could be the best in the eyes of the world? But in this race for superiority, we often forget the truth that greatness is not a static goal to be achieved once and for all, but a continuous journey. It is like the story of Alexander the Great, who, upon conquering the known world, stood before his generals and wept, for there were no more lands to conquer. Alexander’s ambition, though vast and mighty, was thwarted by the understanding that even the greatest conqueror cannot escape the human condition of limitless desire. There is always more to achieve, more to grow into, and the pursuit itself is the true measure of greatness.

In Kapadia’s reflection, there is a lesson about self-compassion and acceptance. She does not demand perfection of herself, but she asks for something far more difficult—the honesty to acknowledge her limitations and the courage to keep going despite them. There is a certain heroism in this. The warrior does not fight to claim victory over all others, but to battle her own doubts and fears, knowing that true triumph lies in the struggle itself. The journey of self-improvement, the willingness to acknowledge imperfection while still striving for excellence, is a far greater victory than the fleeting satisfaction of being the best in the world.

We can look to Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds in history, whose art and inventions are still celebrated centuries later. Yet, despite his immense talent and accomplishments, Leonardo often spoke of feeling unsatisfied with his work. In his diaries, he remarked that no matter how many masterpieces he created, he never felt he had done his best. He, too, wrestled with the notion of perfection, yet in his continuous search for improvement, he changed the world. Leonardo’s greatness lay not in the fact that he was the best, but in his relentless desire to improve, to push the boundaries of his own understanding and skill.

The lesson here is clear: greatness is not a destination, but a journey. It is a journey where we must reconcile ourselves with the truth of our own limitations, and yet never cease to strive for the best that we can be. Kapadia’s words are a reminder that perfection is elusive, but in the pursuit of our best selves, we find meaning and purpose. To be at peace with our imperfections is to find the freedom to grow, to evolve, and to become more than we were yesterday, without the heavy burden of comparison.

In our own lives, let us follow Kapadia’s example: embrace the truth of our imperfections, and yet never stop striving for the best that we can give. Reflect on where we are and where we wish to be, and then take the next step with courage, knowing that it is the persistence in the journey—the willingness to fall and rise again—that shapes the truly great. We must be patient with ourselves, while also pushing forward, understanding that the quest for improvement is the true measure of success. Let growth, not perfection, be our goal, and we will find peace in the pursuit.