Vidya Balan

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan gets restaurant to put her favourite dish back on the menu

So taken in is Vidya Balan by a particular dish at her favourite Bandra restaurant that she compelled the owners of the place to bring it back on the menu after it was dropped.

Says a source close to the Paa actress, “Vidya is very fond of the cracked wheat ragu on the menu at Farhan Azmi’s restaurant in Bandra. When she comes there the staff knows exactly what to get for her.

But in the last six months, she got so busy shooting for her films that she didn’t find the time to visit the place.

When she came back last week she was informed that her favourite dish was taken off the menu. It is a vegetarian dish made of cracked wheat and spinach and is very healthy.

Few people order it as it requires an acquired taste. During Balan’s regular patronage, it was customary in her order. When she heard it wasn’t there she insisted that it be brought back and now the dish is back on the menu.”

Farhan says, “Vidya is a very sweet girl and my wife Ayesha and I are both like her. We had discontinued the cracked wheat ragu but bought it back because of Vidya.

She loves it. For regulars like Vidya, Ranbir Kapoor, Yuvraj Singh, Salman and Sohail Khan we make food as per their liking like we don’t sell pre-decided pasta but the diner gets to choose everything from the dressing to the sauce and vegetables.”

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan’s power-packed performance in Parineeta catapulted her to instant fame. Hailed by critics and the audience alike, she soon became synonymous with quality films before her career hit a rough patch and critics began to write her off. Proving everyone wrong, she bounced right back with two back-to-back rock solid performances in Paa and Ishqiya winning every coveted award in the industry last year. The actor who has now carved out a niche for herself shares with us how remaining positive and believing in herself and in the power of prayer helped her spring back-from being written off as a jinxed actor to emerging as one of the most sought-after faces of Bollywood.

Breaking even
Films were a natural progression to ad films and music videos. I had signed quite a few films down South and was gearing up for my big screen stint. Little did I know then that life had other plans. Out of nowhere, the project I was working on got shelved. Subsequently, every other project on my hands also collapsed for some reason or the other. And before long, I was being called a jinxed actor. No one was willing to sign me on. My self-confidence nosedived completely and I was miserable. However, I had learnt never to give up and believed things would change for the better. I knew I had to prove myself as an actor. As I went about looking for work, I took recourse in prayers. Every time I prayed, I felt a sense of calm. And finally, my prayers were answered. I got a call from Dada’s (Pradeep Sircar) office to audition for Parineeta and before I knew it, I was on board. I felt elated, I wanted to enjoy the moment, but I also knew the road ahead was not easy. I had a greater task at hand, that of proving my worth to the world, to people who had helped me sail through difficult times.

Under the scanner
Just when I was beginning to get comfortable with my place in the industry after the first couple of films, I was suddenly under the scanner again-not for my acting skills, but for how I looked and what I wore. What began as a murmur soon became the talk of the town. I was being pulled up publicly at every award function, and in every possible daily. Things got so bad that beyond a point I actually stopped reading the papers. My confidence level started dipping again. Each time I would have to make a public appearance, I would start panicking. However, in spite of all that was being written about me, work never stopped coming to me. In fact, some of my finest projects like Paa and Ishqiya were offered to me during this period. I was made to realise by friends and family that I was first an actor and then a fashionista. And if people were coming to me, it was because they believed in my acting skills. I saw reason and decided to maintain a dignified silence and let my work do the talking. Through it all, I shared my concerns with my sister who kept me going with a strong belief in the saying, ‘This too shall pass’.

And it did! Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee expressed his desire to work with me. And gradually, everything fell into place. Yes, you can win every battle with faith in yourself.

Celebrating me with health
I believe in the celebration of curves, more so because it complements the Indian way I choose to dress. So, fitness to me is not as much about losing inches as it is about respecting my body and keeping fit physically and mentally. I work out with my trainer Vilayat Husain five days a week using mostly light weights, a bit of cardio and a bit of yoga. But above all, I’ve taken great care to modify my lifestyle. And that has worked wonders for me. I believe every woman after age 30 needs to take greater care of herself. Unlike earlier, when I thought it was okay to skip a meal or two, not have a fitness goal or go late to bed, I am now much more disciplined about it all. I have a fibre-rich diet, keep a close watch on my mealtimes and also make sure I get at least six hours of sleep every night. Honestly, I have never felt happier and more content than I feel now, both in terms of my work and looks.

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

Vidya Balan has got a new nickname these days. Everyone is referring to the actress as Baby Balan — thanks to the slew of mommy roles she has been doing of late, the most recent one being in Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani.

Earlier too she played a mother in Sajid Khan’s Heyy Baby and Balki’s Paa. Now for Sujoy’s film, Vidya has been sporting a baby bump and looking quite comfortable with it. Needless to say, the director is only too pleased with his actress. “It’s a story of a woman who is six months pregnant and traces her journey from thereon. I had written the script keeping Vidya in mind. I wouldn’t have made the film without her. For me she’s a perfectionist who has beautifully brought the character alive,” said the director.
Guess Baby Balan is doing her director proud!

By Jilawatan

Balan needs a new stylist, new wardrobe or in the least, some fresh imagination

I look good in sarees. Only sarees. Nothing but sarees. And the same kind of sarees.’ Vidya Balan’s fashion motto seems to be getting too monotonous and unimaginative these days.

Wrapping a plain chiffon number with a thin embroidered border, and little else might have been a fashion statement once, but not anymore.

The beautiful Balan wore a green saree sans jewellery when she danced with Shah Rukh Khan and Hugh Jackman.

And again its yellow cousin at a recent fashion event while walking the ramp. The black clutch or the orange (yes, orange) bindi could hardly salvage the outfit.

Maybe, its time to set her imagination free. And not only in the accessories department, where she needs to rein her colourful fantasies if anything.

After all, what the hell was she thinking while carrying a nimbu-mirchi plastic keychain?

1. Vidya Balan walks the ramp with her favourite designer and a black clutch

2. The actress wards off evil with nimbu mirchi toy at Filmfare

3. Balan’s affinity to this look dates back to her Paa days

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan could be planning to exhibit her own photography in the future.

The Paa actress is reportedly a keen amateur photographer and has a portfolio of 500 pictures, according Mid Day.

A source told the site: “[Photography] has become something of a passion over the last two years.

“She gets snapping when she travels to shoots and other professional commitments.”

Balan is said to have started taking photographs on the set of Salaam-E-Ishq.

However, the insider added that Balan is undecided about whether or not to exhibit her work because she has a full schedule already.

The star will next be see in Dirty Picture, a biopic of sultry South Indian actress Silka Smitha.

By Jilawatan

No, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not getting competition with her husband! However, buzz is that the two actresses have been roped in to play wives to Junior Bachchan in two upcoming films.

Vidya Balan, who has been on a guest starring spree, has been roped in to play Abhishek’s better half in Dum Maaro Dum. Earlier, the actress had signed up for a cameo in ‘Thank You’, playing Akshay Kumar’s wife.

This is not the first time that the actress has been seen opposite Abhishek Bachchan. The duo were seen together in ‘Paa’, where they played parents to Amitabh Bachchan.

Kangna Ranaut, on the other hand has taken up a role opposite Bachchan Junior in RGV’s next, Department.

The film, which has just been announced, revolves around three cops and the extra-constitutional activities they engage in to maintain a civil society.

By Jilawatan

Even though they do not admit it, but Vidya “Parineeta” Balan and Siddharth Roy Kapoor, head of UTV, have been dating for sometime. But all is not well for them as there is a point of difference between the two.

Roy Kapoor wants to cast Bachchan bahu Aishwarya, instead of Balan, as the lead in UTV’s next production “Heroine”, directed by Madhur “Fashion” Bhandarkar. Siddhartha has been in touch with Aishwarya and has even persuaded her to do the movie. He has even gone on to say that if she wants she shall be provided with a narration of the script.

On the other hand, Balan is also doing a movie based on South Indian glam doll Silk Smitha. For this reason, Bhandarkar wants to put his project on the back burner. But, Siddharth seems to be in a rush to start of with his movie.

Balan is known to do offbeat roles like those in “Paa”, “Ishqiya” and “Bhool Bhulaiya”. Ash has of late done fewer roles. Her last released movie being “Action Replayy” with Akshay “Khiladi” Kumar in 2010. Hopefully, this movie will not lead to the souring of Ash n Vidya Balan’s relationship.

By Jilawaqtan

It promises to be a perfectly-designed film. As ace fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee wraps up the script of his directorial debut venture, he only has two actors in mind for the film — Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji. “I have completed my script with all the finishing touches. And I am very satisfied with the outcome,” says Mukerji. “The only problem is that I have been too busy with my other fashion-related assignments to take up the film,” he adds.
But the designer insists he isn’t worried about the casting. “Whenever I decide to start filming, I will approach Vidya and Rani for the parts. And fortunately, I share very special equations with both of them. And I know I can always bank on their support. We understand each others’ sensibilities very well.”

Money matters
Mukerji, who will be participating in Mumbai as well as Delhi fashion weeks, informs that “certain producers are also ready” to back the movie.

“However, my first set of priorities includes fashion stuff like stores, shows and designing. After all, I can’t deviate from things, which are my primary source of bread and butter,” he adds.

For the uninitiated, apart from designing for his fashion label Sabyasachi, the Kolkata-based designer is also famous for costume design in films.

He has created costumes for movies like Black (2005), Baabul (2006) , Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007), Paa (2009), Raavan (2010) and Guzaarish (2010). “My hands are full right now,” says Mukherjee with a laugh. And I don’t want to mess things up in a hurry. So it’s better I take things up only when I can easily concentrate.”

Claiming that he’s neck-deep in work as he designs several pieces for his multiple fashion shows this season, including the finale at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi, he adds, “You can understand what my state of mind will be right now. I am running around trying to come up with impressive and different collections for both the fashion weeks.”

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan is known for delivering power-packed performances in film after film. After Paa, Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica, Vidya will be next seen in Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani.

Kahaani is a story of a pregnant woman who is on the look-out for her husband who’s gone missing. The film has been majorly shot in Kolkata. Sujoy Ghosh tweeted, “KAHAANI was shot in all real locations. No budget to build set. In Kolkata its totally impossible to shoot real but we did it:)”