By Jilawatan

While Vidya plays Abhishek’s wife in Dum Maro Dum, Ash, the original choice for the role, chooses to be his wife strictly off-screen

For all those who are still wondering whether Vidya Balan is a part of Rohan Sippy’s Dum Maro Dum, the news is that the Paa actress in indeed a part of the forthcoming film. In fact, UTV CEO Siddharth Roy Kapoor’s girlfriend, Balan will be seen essaying the role of Abhishek Bachchan’s wife.

However, what is interesting is that, according to industry insiders, initially, Jr Bachchan’s real life wife Aishwarya Rai was approached for the same role.

A source close to the film told us, “Vidya has a very significant cameo in the film, but she was definitely not the first choice to play Abhishek’s wife. Rohan and producer Fox Star Studios wanted Aishwarya but somehow things didn’t work out.”

The question that still remains unanswered, however is why or rather how did Vidya come to replace Ash when both the director and the producer wanted otherwise? A leading English daily, on April 2, 2011 had reported how Ash was offered the role of Sarah Jane Dias in Game initially. Evidently, for reasons unknown, Mrs Jr Bachchan had been unable to take up that offer.

When we asked director Rohan Sippy the reason behind Vidya doing the film despite Ash being the first choice, he replied with a message, saying, “Vidya was gracious enough to do my film.”

However, going with Vidya is not a bad decision, judging from the on-screen chemistry the actress shared with Abhishek in Paa. On the other hand, the real life couple, Abhi-Ash has had no hit as a romantic couple so far.

Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Naa Kaho, Umrao Jaan and the more recent Raavan, where the two actors had played a romantic couple have all been box office dampeners.

When contacted, both the ladies, Aishwarya and Vidya chose not to answer.

By Jilawatan

That is what Vidya Balan wished for when she was presented the best actress trophy at FICCI FRAMES 2011 Business Excellence Awards by Hollywood star and ‘the sexiest man on the Earth’ Hugh Jackman.

Her idea about the unique international casting for ISHQIYA 2 found instant approval from Jackman and Shahrukh Khan who were all ready to sign up for the project there and then in the presence of industry stalwarts like Yash Chopra, Ramesh Sippy, and ‘the most beautiful woman on the Earth’ Aishwarya Rai Bachhan. However, there was a hitch. Jackman had to prove his ‘Bollywood quotient’ before landing up the role and was called upon by the hostess of the show Minnie Mathur to demonstrate his booty shaking skills by dancing to a Bollywood tune along with SRK. And thus happened a hilarious ‘sangam’ of Bollywood and Hollywood, which looked more like a ‘sandwich’ with Vidya Balan acting as a thick slice of juicy cheese of ‘Silk Smita variety’ between the two dancing stars – the ‘Wolverine’ and ‘Whose Name is Khan’ who performed an impromptu jig with her in the middle. Hugh Jackman, SRK, and Aishwarya Rai were also honoured on the occasion and were presented awards.

By Jilawatan

Aishwarya Rai was seen with a baby bump in ‘Guru’; Preity Zinta shot an entire song with her baby bump in ‘Salaam Namaste’ but in both the cases their pregnancy bump lasted only a few scenes.
However, actress Vidya Balan shall be portraying the character of a woman who is 6 months pregnant in her next Sujoy Ghosh film ‘Kahaani’. And she won’t be carrying her baby bump merely for a scene or two but she shall be pregnant throughout the length of the movie.

In the movie Vidya plays a married woman whose hubby leaves London and comes to India for a job. However, after he goes missing, Vidya comes to Kolkata to hunt her husband down. And Vidya shall be doing her husband-hunt in her pregnancy period.
As the director Sujoy Ghosh puts it, a pregnant woman isn’t a Batman or a Superman and Vidya’s character shall be exploring the vulnerability of the feminine side. Sujoy has confirmed the news and has hailed Vidya as a perfectionist. He also cites that he had penned the role keeping Vidya in mind and wouldn’t have made the film if Vidya had rejected his offer.
But this is not the first time that Vidya shall be showing the nascent side of her motherhood. She played a mother in ‘Heyy Baby’ and was the Maa of Amitabh Bachchan in Paa.

By Jilawatan

Sources in Bollywood say that Priyamani’s cousin and actress Vidya Balan feels that Priyamani should’ve opted for a full-fledged role for her Bollywood entry rather than a cameo. The actress was reportedly upset that her cousin chose a role that was not even akin to a second heroine. However, with Priyamani being appreciated by the media for her role in Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, Vidya should be satisfied that her sister made the right decision.
It is worth mentioning here that Vidya had starred in Mani Ratann’s Guru a couple of years ago, the film in which Aishwarya Rai played the female lead.

By Jilawatan

Having created a niche for herself in the tinsel town, Vidya Balan has now attracted a prestigious honour.
The charming actress is reported to be given the Smita Patil Memorial Award by the Priyadarshini Academy. She said to have been chosen for her outstanding contribution to the film industry. She said to have been chosen for her outstanding contribution to the film industry. Balan garnered much acclaims with her debut movie Parineeta and later went on to create success with her roles in films like Lage Raho Munnabhai, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa and Ishqiya.
Incepted in 1984, the academy is an NGO which is engaged in socio-cultural and educational activities. Earlier the award has been won by several personalities namely Preity Zinta, Yash Chopra, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor.
Talking on why they chose Balan, chairman of the academy Nanik Rupani explained to sources, Vidya Balan is an excellent actress. She is modern yet contemporary and has done decent and powerful roles. Her performance in ‘Paa’ was outstanding.
The award function is reported to be held in Oberoi Hotel (Mumbai) on 19th Sep.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan will be conferred with the Smita Patil Memorial Award for her “outstanding” contribution to the film industry.
“Vidya Balan is an excellent actress. She is modern yet contemporary and has done decent and powerful roles. Her performance in ‘Paa’ was outstanding. Our jury has chosen her for the Smita Patil Award for her outstanding contribution to the film industry,” Priyadarshini Academy chairman Nanik Rupani told IANS.

Priyadarshini Academy is an NGO which is engaged in socio-cultural and educational activities and has been holding the biennial award function since its inception in 1984.

In 2008, Preity Zinta was felicitated with the award. Other celebrities like Yash Chopra, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor have also been bestowed with this award.

Vidya Balan made her debut with Pradeep Sarkar’s “Parineeta” in 2005 and later on went to give some outstanding performances in “Lage Raho Munnabhai”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, “Paa” and “Ishqiya”.

The ceremony will be held Sep 19 in Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan will be conferred with the Smita Patil Memorial Award for her “outstanding” contribution to the film industry.
“Vidya Balan is an excellent actress. She is modern yet contemporary and has done decent and powerful roles. Her performance in ‘Paa’ was outstanding. Our jury has chosen her for the Smita Patil Award for her outstanding contribution to the film industry,” Priyadarshini Academy chairman Nanik Rupani told IANS.
Priyadarshini Academy is an NGO which is engaged in socio-cultural and educational activities and has been holding the biennial award function since its inception in 1984.
In 2008, Preity Zinta was felicitated with the award. Other celebrities like Yash Chopra, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor have also been bestowed with this award.
Vidya Balan made her debut with Pradeep Sarkar’s “Parineeta” in 2005 and later on went to give some outstanding performances in “Lage Raho Munnabhai”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, “Paa” and “Ishqiya”.
The ceremony will be held Sep 19 in Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai.

By Jilawatan

Rani Mukerji, apparently, took Vidya Balan under her wing when these two were shooting for Rajkumar Gupta’s Who killed Jessica Lal? in New Delhi.

Visitors to the set say it was pleasant to see the once hoity-toity Rani share jokes and tips with Vidya. Of course Vidya is thrilled.

She was overheard saying, “Rani is such a doll. She is so simple and uncomplicated. We get along like a house on fire.” Honestly, Rani was this sweet-natured girl even earlier. For those who remember history, Rani was best friends with Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai and even Kareena Kapoor in the initial phase of her career. It is only after she made it to the position of Queen Bee that she started keeping a distance.

Her new found ‘friendly’ nature could only mean two things. Either Rani has rediscovered her old self (which is great) or she’s making an exception for Vidya, the current flavour of the season, who no one can ignore.

By Jilawatan

There’s something about Bollywood couples that they just can’t remain friends after breaking off. Till today Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor aren’t on talking terms, while Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan don’t even look at each other.

So one can understand the awkwardness that Shahid and Vidya Balan – the two were linked during the days they worked in Kismat Konnection – felt when they found themselves on the same flight from Delhi to Mumbai a few days back.

Needless to say, the two didn’t exchange pleasantries or even acknowledge the other’s presence. Reports say they simply looked through each other as if the other person did not exist at all.

Definitely no Konnection left between them.

By Jilawatan

Actor Vidya Balan has been repeatedly accused of being a style offender, but that hasn’t stopped her from doing it her way.

At the Star Screen Awards, the actress was again a fish out of water. She chose to wear a classic Kanjeevaram sari, with a traditional threequarter sleeve blouse and vintage style earrings, while others wore the sari in the modern “cocktail” form.

While the evening saw other actresses such as Aishwarya Rai, Gul Panag and Celina Jaitley opting for saris in contemporary fabrics to get a snug fit, Vidya dared to wear a heavy silk considered bulky.

Though Vidya did not manage to get the drape quite right and the saree looked clumsily wrapped around her, this new style statement by Vidya is not being panned across the board.

In fact, it has led to a debate in fashion circles on whether there is indeed a place for the traditional saree on modern red carpets.

Designer Rina Dhaka says, “It’s great to see someone bringing a classic style back in vogue. I am myself dying to rework tradition. However, I would like it with a modern balance. Kanjeevarams are great but I would like to see them today with a contemporary touch, with factors such as wearibility and comfort, while retaining their originality.” Designer Priya Kataria Puri says, “It is a good idea to promote our heritage weaves but the idea is to present them in a flattering way. The way Vidya wore it may only discourage the younger lot from trying the look. Since Kanjeevaram is heavy taffeta silk, it adds bulk to the body. You should try it only if you are tall and slim. Also, it’s important to team it with a sexy blouse. The threefourth sleeve look that Vidya promoted is very dated and lacks imagination.” She adds, “Kanjeevaram is a lovely fabric but it has its limitations, it is shapeless and hence needs clever styling. You can look striking if you wear a taffeta silk with a sexy faux fur blouse.”