By Jilawatan

She took people back to the black and white era with her role in the period film “Parineeta”. Then came her fashion faux pas and a dip in the career graph. But a careful and confident Vidya Balan is on the rise again in Bollywood.

Though at 33 she is just six years old in the Hindi movie industry, her oeuvre is so impressive that there was a Vidya Balan retrospective at the Indian film fest in two Australian cities.

From playing a foul mouthed, manipulative vengeful woman in ” Ishqiya” to the mother of a progeria patient to a grieving sister in ” No One Killed Jessica”, Vidya has been proving her versatility with her nuanced handling of different characters.

Her much-talked-about forthcoming releases – director Milan Luthria’s “The Dirty Picture”, based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema’s sex symbol, and Sujoy Ghosh’s thriller “Kahani” in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman – are expected to take her creativity to another level.

Applauding her work and choice of roles, director Sudhir Mishra said: “She is very brave and very gutsy. Hats off to Vidya. She will last longer. It will pay her off very well. She will be remembered as another kind of actress and remembered more than a lot of people. She should continue doing this kind of roles. She should do what she can do well. She should retain that uniqueness.”

Director Anurag Kashyap feels what Vidya is doing is pathbreaking. “I think she is showing the way for everyone else. Vidya’s fan following has increased 50-fold after the kind of work she started doing. We need her,” he added.

This Iyer girl from Palakkad in Kerala grew up in Mumbai. She did her graduation in sociology from St. Xavier’s College.

After award-winning debut with the period drama “Parineeta” (2005), she charmed her fans in a modern avatar in “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”. Her small but impressive role in ” Guru” too earned her accolades.

But after a meteoric rise to fame, her career took a dip post “Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love” and it seemed as if lady luck had deserted her completely. She was in the news for all the wrong reasons — from her choice of roles to co-stars to her looks in movies like “Heyy Babyy” and “Kismet Konnection” — she was criticised for everything.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood is considered to be a superstitious lot, not willing to take risks especially when it comes to trying to ensure the success of their films at the box-office.

Apart from auspicious mahurat dates and naming of films, even casting of actors considered lucky mascots for the makers is increasingly the norm. So, what happens when both the leading actor, as well as, the film-maker have their own ‘lucky’ stars. Well, they simply cast both! And according to the buzz that’s what happened in Anees Bazmee’s Thank You. The film that stars Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Bobby Deol also has a surprise cameo by actor Vidya Balan, apart from an item number by Mallika Sherawat.

Apparently, while Bazmee considered it was lucky to include Mallika as she she had made a cameo in his earlier hit Welcome, Vidya is considered to be lucky for Akki and reportedly that is what helped the director zero in on her for a vital role opposite Akshay. A source reveals, “Akshay and Vidya have had two superhits together Bhool Bhulaiya and Heyy Babyy and hopefully the combination will click again. So the makers agreed immediately and cast Vidya.” In fact according to another insider, the length of her character was considerably increased and even a song was thrown in after Vidya agreed to come on board. The source adds, “Vidya’s also of course a talented actor, so it was like a win-win situation for the film. So things fell into place, even though Anees already had his own lucky actor Mallika in the film.”

But Sherawat and Balan are not the only ones. Rani Mukerji and Kajol too have been considered film-maker Karan Johar’s lucky charms, although he has gone on record claiming Shah Rukh Khan to be the luckiest mascot. In fact, according to Bolly-lore, if Kajol tripped while shooting for a film, then the film was bound to be a super hit.

Actor Salman Khan is the lucky boy for the Barjatyas, while Katrina Kaif’s been proven lucky for Akshay. Anushka Sharma’s now being considered lucky for her film-makers too. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali swears by his heroine Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, while actor Sridevi was apparently the lucky mascot for the Chopras. Actor Madhuri Dixit was considered to be lucky for Indra Kumar, but then so was a particular tree in Ooty that he featured in all his films, while Urmila Matondkar was both the muse and the mascot for Ram Gopal Varma.

By Jilawatan

She is a powerhouse of talent who stormed onto the Bollywood scene with Parineeta. She later followed it up with some brilliant performances in films such as Lage Raho Munnabhai, Guru, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa and Ishqiya. She is none other than Vidya Balan.

Vidya is all excited about her forthcoming film No One Killed Jessica where she plays the role of Jessica Lal’s sister Sabrina. As the film readies itself for a gala release this week, we give you a chance to have a live video chat with Vidya Balan on Thursday, Jan 6, at 1500 hrs IST. Don’t miss!

By Jilawatan

She was hailed as the next big thing when she made her debut two years ago in Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta. But now everyone is questioning Vidya Balan’s career decisions. Critisised for her itsy-bitsy role in Eklavya, her unflattering wardrobe in Heyy Babyy and her refusal to promote Mani Ratnam’s Guru, Vidya Balan seems to be courting controversy with every step she takes.
Rajeev Masand: You are just back from a long two-month outdoor in Toronto shooting for Aziz Mirza’s Lucky Charm . What was the experience like, being away for so long?
Vidya Balan: Yes, this has been my longest outdoor. Toronto is a beautiful place and it was my first trip there. We were at a very pretty location downtown. We were actually on Lake Ontario so it was beautiful. I love Aziz Mirza. He spreads so much positivity and cheer that rubs off on everyone. Otherwise what can happen on such a long shoot is that you just get on each other’s nerves. But I don’t think any of that happened. We really had a nice time.
Rajeev Masand: With you being away for two months, you didn’t really get to savour the success of you film Heyy Babyy.
Vidya Balan: Yes, I have just come in though I know it has done really well because I have been in touch with Sajid (Khan) and a couple of other people from the team. I have not been here to enjoy the success but that has also saved me a lot of flak. So maybe there’s a reason for everything.
Rajeev Masand: The flak was not really directed towards your performance as much as it was directed towards your wardrobe.
Vidya Balan: That’s some respite at least. For the wardrobe, I would like to take as much responsibility as Manish (Malhotra) because I think I was a little blasé about the clothes and the look. I tried to be different but I have learnt that you don’t have to look different for the sake of being different. Manish and I should have been more careful because it is the first time I have sported a western look. It would unfair to say that Manish gave me bad clothes because I can also look into the mirror and see what works and what doesn’t. But I didn’t bother too much so both of us should be splitting the flak.
Rajeev Masand: Your film Bhool Bhulaiyya is releasing on the same day as Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. You were offered a role in Laaga … first but you could not do it for whatever reasons. So do you that find it ironic or poetic?
Vidya Balan: Poetic, yes. Like I have said before, I never imagined not being part of Dada’s (Pradeep Sarkar) film. I just got to know a week ago that it’s releasing on the same day. I was amazed. It’s great.
Rajeev Masand: You must feel tricky because you can’t want the other film to not do well.
Vidya Balan: I don’t want anyone’s film to not do well. I’m not trying to sound holier-than-thou but I know what goes into making a film and I think there are enough people to be watching all kinds of films.
Rajeev Masand: You must have heard that your film Eklavya has a bit of a controversy surrounding it regarding it being sent for the Oscars. What’s you view on this?
Vidya Balan: I wouldn’t like to say much about it because at the moment the matter is sub judice. As an actor, it just feels good that one of my films was selected. Last year, Lage Raho Munnabhai was sent as an independent entry. I enjoyed working on Eklavya. Vidhu Vinod Chopra is someone who I had wanted to work with ever since I had seen Parinda. I remember in a little black book I had a list of directors I wanted to work with and his name was in one of the first pages.
Rajeev Masand: Tell us a little more about this little black book. So how many names have you struck off it already?
Vidya Balan: I’m a very greedy person. I have worked with Mani Ratnam but I want to work with him on a full-fledged role. There’s Vidhu Vinod Chopra who I again want to work with. Strangely, I had watched Dada’s music videos and I had told myself I want to work with him. He stopped doing music videos. Finally when he did one after two and a half years I was actually in it. So divine intervention, I guess. There’s Rajkumar Santoshi and Nikhil Advani who I have worked with also.
Rajeev Masand: So that’s a good record.
Vidya Balan: Yes, but there’s a long, long, long way to go.
Rajeev Masand: Best of luck. Let’s hope we see a lot of different roles and films from you. Thank you for talking to us.

By Jilawatan

After three years of cold war between actress Vidya Balan and fashion designer Manish Malhotra, both have now ironed out their differences as Vidya attended Manish’s show at the ongoing Couture Week in Delhi. This time Vidya surprised all by turning up for Malhotra’s show at the event.

Vidya, who had publicly spoken against the designer after she was panned by critics for her look in the movie ‘Heyy Babyy’, had rubbed the leading designer in a wrong way.

Manish in his statement, over Vidya’s arrival, said, “I was very happy and it’s extremely sweet of her to come for my show. I was truly touched and this speaks for our film fraternity that we are always there for each other.”

Bitter spat
The tensions between the two took place after ‘Heyy Babyy’ when Vidya had openly criticized Malhotra for her look in the movie.

Not only she received criticism from the critics but Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, also, gave her a special spoof award for bad dressing while hosting a popular Filmfare award function.

While answering to her comments, Manish said, “I m sorry to do this to a big star like Vidya, India’s answer to Paris Hilton with her fabulous carriage, impeccable dress sense and great knowledge of style.”

He further added, “How can she speak about fashion with her fantastic figure? Who is she?”

A new start
It seems that both Vidya and Manish are in no mood to discuss the past again. As Manish told the sources, “Let bygones be bygones. Whatever we said to and about each other is in the past.”

He even expressed his wish to work with Vidya again. “If we get a great offer, I’ll be glad to work with Vidya again,” he added.

The reports revealed that initially Vidya and Rani Mukherjee had gone to attend Sabyasachi’s show that kicked off the Couture Week.

Then Manish had invited the ladies for his show and they decided to stay back for his show.

Vidya’s present assignments
Reportedly, Vidya had opted out of Inder Kumar’s ‘Dhamaal 2′ because she was neither happy with her fee nor her role. It was heard that she was offered Rs 1.5 crore but the film makers and Vidya couldn’t agree on a price despite long discussions.

Currently, Vidya is wrapping up Rajkumar Gupta’s ‘No One Killed Jessica’ after delivering hits such as ‘Paa’ and ‘Ishqiya’. Rani is also featuring in ‘No One Killed Jessica’.

By Jilawatan

This man is a true khiladi. Not the kind he was famously known for, instead, now he is plain, simple bratty.

His pranks are as solid as his B.O ratings, and Akshay Kumar is damn proud of it too. While talking to ZOOM, he revealed a wicked prank he had pulled on Vidya Balan. Apparently, the beauty is still reeling under the effect. Apparently, while shooting for Heyy Babyy, Akki convincingly told Vids that a certain Punjabi radio channel wanted to do a telephonic interview with her, and they had requested her to talk in Punjju as far as she could. The naïve Vids quickly brushed up the little Punju she knew and readily did the interview for a whole of 20 minutes. Only that the RJ at the other end was none other the man himself, Akshay.

Later at night over dinner, he suddenly broke into his fake RJ Punju accent, and Vidya’s jaw dropped. She instantly recognised the voice, and knew it was prankster Akshay at play. And you don’t want to know what followed. Plates, spoons and other objects went flying across the room, while Akshay ran for his life. Well, we know what the lovely Vids wanted desperately for dinner that night. A grilled Akshay Kumar, for starters.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan is happy. She is enjoying yet another success in the form of PAA, hence adding one more feather in her cap when it comes to performance oriented roles. No wonder she believes that she is fortunate to have worked in the kind of films that have not just challenged her as an actor but also time and again validated her decision making abilities.

“The nicest part about the success of PAA is that it has given me courage to stick to my conviction”, says Vidya Balan who has one of the best success rates than any other contemporary actor is enjoying today, “At least I am able to do that I truly believe in. Whether it is PAA or any of my last few films, the fact is that all these decisions have paid off.”

She is indeed backed by solid claims when she says so. Other than PAA, her last few films like KISMAT KONNECTION, BHOOL BHULAIYAA and HEYY BABYY have been successful as well with HALLA BOL being her solitary box office failure in a long time.

“Yes, a couple of my films didn’t work, whether it was HALLA BOL or SALAAM E ISHQ, but then this is how life is”, says Vidya sans any hint of disappointment, “I don’t regret working in these films because it’s important that you go through those ups and downs.”

She does think quite highly of her fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan though. “It is very nice to be working with such actors because your guards are always down”, says Vidya who has earlier shared screen space with Abhishek in GURU, “Believe me when I say this, in Abhishek we have just seen the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to be explored.”

By Jilawatan

After playing an ideal mother in “Paa”, Vidya Balan says she is ready to surprise audiences with a completely different avatar in forthcoming movie “Ishqiya”. She will be seen as a conniving, scheming woman in Vishal Bharadwaj’s dark drama.

“For the first time I’ll be playing a woman who is conniving, scheming and in whom there is a sexual aggression,” Vidya told IANS in an interview.

“She is an aggressive person. She is someone who is unapologetic about her own choices. Bold is the word I’ll use for the lack of a better word. In the Indian context, she would be Rambha, Durga or Kali. She is someone who is dressed from top to toe but oozes sensuality,” the actress said.

Set in eastern Uttar Pradesh, “Ishqiya” is a tale of romance between individuals caught in a web of crime, suspense, passion and deceit. Made by first time director Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Bharadwaj, the film also stars Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah in pivotal roles.

In the film, Vidya sports a deglamourised look and mouths expletives.

Asked if Bharadwaj was the reason she signed “Ishqiya”, she said: “It’s always very reassuring when the producer is an established guy because when you take a film, you want to know that no compromises will be made while making the film and even after it gets released.

“Of course Vishal comes with a certain brand and credibility…but more importantly I loved the role offered to me. I wouldn’t have given it up. Along with that I loved Abhishek’s passion and sensibility. So it was a combination of all these things when I made my decision.”

The 31-year-old is also looking forward to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Chenaab Gandhi” in which she plays Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter.

After receiving flak for doing glamorous roles, Vidya has moved to author-backed characters in “Paa”, “Chenaab Gandhi” and “Ishqiya”. But she says her choice of roles is not a conscious effort to change her image.

“It’s not a conscious decision to try and stay away from a particular kind of roles. There is no effort for an image change. It’s just that I’m just being offered a lot of exciting work and I’ve tried to pick and choose different things to keep it very exciting for me,” she said.

“Of course, candyfloss is still welcome if it comes with substance, but the very fact that it’s candyfloss takes away the substance. So I don’t do that much candyfloss because it compromises on substance,” added the actress.

Vidya has earlier been seen in films like “Parineeta”, “Heyy Babyy”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” and “Kismat Konnection”.

By Jilawatan

After receiving flak from critics, Vidya Balan has now managed to impress them with her performance in “Paa”. The actress is now looking forward to “Ishqiya” and “Chenaab Gandhi” to strengthen her position and says she won’t do roles she doesn’t identify with.

“Isn’t that amazing? It’s taken a lot of getting used to. But I feel blessed. I’m done with trying to be someone I’m not,” Vidya, who will be seen as Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter in “Chenaab Gandhi”, told IANS.

“I went through a period of tremendous turmoil when I was struggling to do roles that didn’t come naturally to me. But now in hindsight I think that confusion helped me pick ‘Paa’, ‘Ishqiya’ and ‘Chenaab Gandhi’. It’s gratifying to know today directors think of me for specific roles and not just as one of many choices.”

Vidya became an overnight sensation after her debut film “Parineeta” (2005), but later earned flak for her clothes in “Heyy Babyy” and for doing a film like “Kismat Konnection”.

Thanks to director R. Balakrishnan’s “Paa”, in which she plays a single mother whose son suffers from progeria, a disease that accelerates the ageing process, she has regained past glory.

Though she played a perfect mother in “Heyy Babyy” and “Paa”, Vidya can’t get along with kids in real life.

“If I hold a baby for a while I get stressed. In ‘Heyy Babyy’, the baby would bawl every time I had to carry it. In ‘Paa’, I had to mother a man who was far older. It took a lot of getting used to. The fact that Mr. Bachchan kept referring to me as ‘Maa’ as soon he entered the sets, sure helped,” she said.

A lot is being said about her aesthetic clothes in “Paa”.

“All thanks to Sabyasachi Mukherjee I think he understood my body language and my personality perfectly. And he dressed me up beautifully without overstepping the parameters of my character.” (IANS)

By Jilawatan

After receiving flak from critics, Vidya Balan has now managed to impress them with her performance in Paa. The actress is now looking forward to Ishqiya and Chenaab Gandhi to strengthen her position and says she won’t do roles she doesn’t identify with.

“Isn’t that amazing? It’s taken a lot of getting used to. But I feel blessed. I’m done with trying to be someone I’m not,” Vidya, who will be seen as Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter in Chenaab Gandhi, told IANS.

“I went through a period of tremendous turmoil when I was struggling to do roles that didn’t come naturally to me. But now in hindsight I think that confusion helped me pick Paa, Ishqiya and Chenaab Gandhi. It’s gratifying to know today directors think of me for specific roles and not just as one of many choices.”

Vidya became an overnight sensation after her debut film Parineeta (2005), but later earned flak for her clothes in Heyy Babyy and for doing a film like Kismat Konnection.

Thanks to director R. Balakrishnan’s Paa, in which she plays a single mother whose son suffers from progeria, a disease that accelerates the ageing process, she has regained past glory.

Though she played a perfect mother in Heyy Babyy and Paa, Vidya can’t get along with kids in real life.

“If I hold a baby for a while I get stressed. In Heyy Babyy, the baby would bawl every time I had to carry it. In Paa, I had to mother a man who was far older. It took a lot of getting used to. The fact that Mr. Bachchan kept referring to me as ‘Maa’ as soon he entered the sets, sure helped,” she said.

A lot is being said about her aesthetic clothes in Paa.

“All thanks to Sabyasachi Mukherjee I think he understood my body language and my personality perfectly. And he dressed me up beautifully without overstepping the parameters of my character.”