And veteran actor Ha Yu did just that when he was earlier asked for his thoughts on being nominated as Best Actor at this year's TVB Anniversary Awards.
When he met Singapore reporters hours before the ceremony, he rather prophetically repeated his desire to be named TV king.
Known also for keeping a low-profile, Ha Yu explained why he was more vocal this year.
He said: 'The truth is, all these years, no one has ever asked me if I would like to win the award.
'So naturally, I can't go around saying I want to win.'
Incidentally, the focus this year had shifted to the Best Actor category - unlike in the past where the Best Actress nominees would hog the headlines.
Ha Yu said: 'If not for that, I don't think the reporters would even bother with me. They would probably interview someone else.'
And since he was given the chance, he saw no reason to hide how he truly felt.
HIGHEST ACCOLADE
He said: 'Everyone was saying, 'I don't mind if I win or not, I'm just happy to be nominated'.
'But I openly declared I minded. I was nominated, so, of course I would want to win. And today, if you ask the rest, they will say the same thing too.'
Ha Yu added that while people may view the various awards differently, it was a case of the company giving the recognition to the nominees.
He said: 'I've worked hard for the past 40 years, so it's a joke to claim that I don't want to be recognised.
'And if I can be given the highest accolade, then it means the years have not been in vain.'
Ha Yu also felt that it was not right to compare fellow Best Actor nominee and co-star Raymond Lam and him on the same level.
He said: 'Raymond is like ice-cream and I am a chicken thigh. The young man has worked just as hard and he, too, has a chance of winning.
'So do all the other nominees. But there's just one award, I don't know who will Lady Luck favour tonight.
'If you ask me, yes, of course I would want it to be me. But if it does not happen, then life still goes on, and I would still continue with my work.'
This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 17, 2008.
