Vidya Balan: Up, Close & Personal

‘Parineeta’ some two years back catapulted her to fame and comparisons were instantaneously drawn with the likes of Waheeda Rehman and Meena Kumari. After that, there was no looking back for Vidya Balan.

Critics and audiences alike were floored by her simplicity and girl next door looks and importantly, oodles of old world charm. Films thereafter like ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, ‘Eklavya’, ‘Guru’ and ‘Salaam-E- Ishq’ further consolidated her position.

Now she has a bevy of interesting films in her kitty. Most interestingly she will be seen in a true blue glam avatar in Sajid Khan’s upcoming ‘Heyy Babyy’.

‘Heyy Babyy’ will be a complete image make over for the beauty. “This film will see a new me. The image that ‘Parineeta’ created was so strong, that in spite of the fact that I have done other films, wherein I didn’t play only very Indian characters, people spoke about ‘Parineeta’.

I think there has never been as much of a departure in my image as it has been in ‘Heyy Babyy’. Not because I have worn Western clothes but because I play a well-to-do girl from a business family in Sydney, who shows comfort in these kinds of clothes.

I am even wearing my hair differently. I want my character to come through and not Vidya Balan.” Here she doesn’t forget to single out Manish Malhotra, the man behind this cool and contemporary look. “Well, I can’t really thank him enough,” she says.

The role she plays is no less interesting. “I am playing the unwed mother of the baby who is being three timed by these three guys –Fardeen, Akshay and Reitesh and to teach them a lesson she dumps the baby on them.

The situation for them gets complicated as the three bachelors are made to look after the baby as well as look for the mother. This was one lovely team with which I had great fun shooting with. The baby too was a real bundle of joy and an absolute delight.”

Not that, she is not kicked up about her upcoming projects. “There is ‘Bhool Bhulaiya’ with Priyadarshan which was another joyride. At the moment I am also working on Aziz Mirza’s film alongside Shahid Kapoor. And Raji ji (Raj Kumar Santoshi)’s ‘Halla Bol’ which I hold close to my heart.”

This Raj Kumar Santoshi film might belong to Ajay Devgan but Vidya is very proud of this unique brush with what she calls ‘serious cinema’. Reveals the actress, “I am playing Ajay Devgan’s wife who is a hero in Bollywood.

She is someone who despite being a star’s wife is pretty much the same person as she was before her marriage. It’s a very strong and interesting character which has got a lot of shades and emotions.

The title sounds such that many people have come and inquired if this one is a comedy flick. Only once they see the promos, they will get a whiff of what the film is all about.”

Another unique factor, according to Vidya is the fact that, just like any other Santoshi films, ‘Halla Bol’ conveys a strong message. “There are a whole lot of problems in the society. But people instead of rectifying them choose to avoid them and like playing the blame game.

While doing the film, I really felt enlightened towards many prospects of life. This film would definitely make its viewers more responsible towards the society as it has done with me.”

So impressed was she by the veteran director’s caliber and work, she didn’t even need prior preparations as such. “You don’t have to really prepare if you are working under Raj ji. The way he narrates a scene, it is enough for one to understand its true emotions.

Raj ji has already proved his mettle while I have a long way to go. For me it has only been two years in the industry and getting a chance to work under him so early in my career is a treat for me. He acts as a teacher for every newcomer,” she claims.

And surprisingly Vidya experienced that he was the complete antithesis of his serious image off screen. “He and Ajay are masters at playing pranks. Once he kept on taking re-takes of mine without rolling the camera. He has got a great sense of humour, must say.”

There are also talks about another South Indian beauty, the timeless Sridevi making an appearance in the film. “She is doing a special appearance. But I didn’t have the chance to interact with her as she didn’t have any scene along with me. To have her in the film is nothing short of a big honour,” says the actress.

After her debut in a woman oriented film like ‘Parineeta’, the general feeling was that Vidya is here to fill the void created by Madhuri Dixit’s departure. So what was it that made Vidya play second fiddle yet again after ‘Guru’ and ‘Eklavya’?

“Every other film cannot be a ‘Parineeta’. Yes ‘Halla Bol’ belongs to Ajay (Devgan), but at the same time my character is also very strong. It maybe small but Raj ji has the reputation of doing justice to every character. I am hoping that this small role will lead to a much bigger and stronger one.

Hopefully, after seeing my performance, Raj ji may make a ‘Lajja’ someday with me,” exclaims Vidya.

And there is much more to look forward to from the lass. “There are talks going on with other producers, though it would be too early for me to say anything about them right away. But hopefully a lot of nice things will come my way in the days to come, ”she informs as she signs off.

"I have a glamourised look in Heyy Babyy." - Vidya Balan

A serene and silent music release was held for the film Heyy Babyy, directed by Sajid Khan, on the last day of the shoot at Film City recently. Quiet because, only the media was invited with the cast and crew, minus the regular pomp and splendour of a five star hotel. On the sets, we met up with the beautiful Vidya Balan. A brief tête-à-tête follows:

How is the music of Heyy Babyy?
The music is extremely youthful and chirpy. Very soul stirring. The kind you will love to hear anytime, anywhere. When you have the trio of Shankar- Ehsaan- Loy composing for you, it's got to be out of the world! The story is based on people of Indian origin living in Australia, so the music is in tune with the theme. When you watch the movie, you will realize that you can go out of India, but you can't let India go out of you!

What is your role in Heyy Babyy?
Sajid Khan has presented a different side of me. He has a great sense of humour. The story is set in Australia. For the first time the audiences will be looking at a western and glamorized me! I hope they enjoy it. Can't really disclose much about the character right now, but you will know in time. When the story was narrated to me, I really felt confused whether I can do justice to the role. Sajid convinced me wonderfully and so I did it. Sajid is a close friend, so there was no way I would be uncomfortable with his judgmental prowess.

How was it working with a first time director?
He has a cinematic bent of mind. He is extremely affluent with the technical aspects of film making. His ability of explaining the scenes reminds me of childish enthusiasm coupled with the art of a connoisseur. As a director, he gives due liberty to the actors to give their inputs and allows them to perform freely. That's how the look of the movie is very fresh.

How was the atmosphere on the sets of the film?
It was a complete mad house with Akshay, Riteish and Sajid. I was almost thinking that I was back in college. They used to play so many pranks that we used to end up crying while laughing. My boisterous attitude had sprung up during the making and it was a perfect situation of work and pleasure going together.

Were a lot of pranks were played at the shoot of the film?
Of course. There was this one time when Susan, our foreign co-star had a fight with her driver. We were shooting at Madh Island. The guys started scaring her saying that it is very unsafe for females to drive down home alone as a lot of rape and murder cases have already taken place in this area. After a while Akshay gave her a note saying that it was from her driver, who gave it before he left. "How will you go alone now?" the note said. Poor Susan was very nervous and in tears. But, when they realized it was going overboard, they burst out laughing and called it off!

How do you compare these with your earlier movies?
My earlier films, Parineeta, Eklavya, Salaam- e- Ishq; all created a serious impact on the audiences. This is a fun packed entertainer with great commercial value.

Your family is very protective about you.
Yes they are. Apart from my parents, who are extremely protective, my sister and my brother-in-law are also very particular about how I am handling my life. They are more keen to know what I am doing, how I am going about things etc. Honestly, in the movie business, one has to have a support system without which it isn't easy. And it feels nice to live a life where you feel sheltered.

Have you looked up to any actress and any performance?
I think makers also have an important role to play in this. Madhuri Dixit was wonderful in 'Devdas'. She has gone through her career very well and this was a high point. I want to live my life the way she did and I shall feel very happy about that for sure.

People have even compared you with the legendary Madhuri Dixit. Comment.
I am quite flattered by the comparison. But I guess I have loads to reach before I come close to her.

Are you an ambitious actress?
Yes. But I am not very ambitious. I love to enjoy and live life to its utmost.

Do you think we should leave our hearts and minds at home before we watch Heyy Babyy?
Not at all! You can take both to the cinema halls and enjoy the film. It is also an intelligent film in parts.

Source - Sanskriti Media

Mallika gets thumbs up from Sushmita

The intrepid Mallika Sherawat has an unlikely supporter in Sushmita Sen who is quite impressed with her 'spirit and spunk'.

'I really think she has a lot of spirit and spunk and tremendous audacity,' Sushmita told IANS.

'To have come from where she has and to establish her own identity, and to have that kind of spirit couldn't be easy. But she has done it,' she added.

Tell her Mallika speaks of Sushmita as some kind of a role model, and the actress smiles. 'Really? I haven't met Mallika but the little that I know of her, I like her.'

Mallika, who is transcending borders with Bill Bannerman's Unveiled, seems to subscribe to Sushmita's school of thought.

'I don't know what Mallika's thoughts are. But I feel every role I've played so far has been a stepping stone towards the goal that I've set for myself. To get to a summit you need to climb step by step. I think I've been climbing the stairs very steadily.'

Talking about her journey in Bollywood, Sushmita said that she knew she would have to work hard to reach the top since the beginning. She never expected instant success.

'Not for a minute did I believe I had to be Madhuri Dixit just because I came into the film industry as Miss Universe. I knew I had to work hard to get there. Some people get there more easily than others. But that's life. Maybe I've made some major mistakes in my career. And I continue to make them even today. But that's part of the growing experience.'

So what keeps Sushmita going and growing?

'The one thing that nourishes me constantly is my self identity. I'm very comfortable with who and what I am. I am an actress only when the camera is switched on. The minute it's over I go back to being myself.

'I don't make an effort to make other people comfortable. I feel I can't be an image for people. I have to be a real person. I have to be absolutely me.'

Ask her what 'absolutely me' is, and she said: 'Absolutely me is tonnes of contradictions. It's being an enigma even to myself at times. It's someone only I knew, and that too once in a while.'

Source : Indo Asian News Service