Dr Batra’s Positive Health Awards 2010 presented by Bajaj Discover, were held at Chowdiah Hall in Bengaluru, with Bollywood star Vidya Balan felicitating the awardees at a glittering ceremony attended by over 1,000 invitees.

These Awards, now in their fifth year, are India’s first health honours instituted by Dr Batra’s, to recognise those who have displayed outstanding courage in the fight against disease and diasability. Pioneers in the Indian automobile industry, Bajaj Discover has partnered this year’s project which for the first time , is being held in Bengaluru.

An eminent panel of jurists comprising of Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Ms. Anu Aga, Vivek Oberoi, R. Balki, Rajiv Bajaj and Dr. Mukesh Batra selected six winners from hundreds of nominations.

These six –Mr. Deva Reddy, Dr. S Rajalakshmi, Mr. Shreedhar Rajaram, Ms. Sona Jose, Mr. Prashant Karmakar and Dr Anand Vinekar, exemplify what it takes to transform humans into heroes.

In addition to a short biographic film on each awardee, the guests were entertained by a scintilling performance by dance guru Shiamak Davar’s troupe of specially-challenged children. There was also a musical rendition by the students of The Happy Home and School for the Blind.

You don’t associate a handloom sari with high octane glamour, unless it’s Vidya Balan who is wearing it, like she was at HT’s first Mumbai conclave on June 15!

The 32-year-old looked radiant in a pink saree with black bold border and a pink and black print blouse that had three quarter long sleeves and a deep back.

She accessorized with black peep-toe pumps with red soles, and a three bead bracelets in her right arm, with the middle one being of rudraksh beads.

Her long black middle parted hair, styled in structured curls, framed her face. She wore light makeup – pink lip color and thick black eyeliner.

Vidya Balan and Karan Johar at HT conclave in Mumbai on June 15. Photo Credit: Sawf News
She arrived at the event alone and was seated next to Karan Johar. The two posed together for the photogs and launched HT cafe as a broadsheet.

Speaking at the panel discussion during the event, Vidya Balan deliberated on the importance of the Bollywood film budgets in today’s economy. She agreed with her other Bollywood colleagues, Johar, Anurag Kashyap, R. Balki and Dibakar Banerjee, that there is no reason why small-budget films could not become commercial successes.

The little master of Kolkata, Sabyasachi now moves into another trajectory by establishing his first flagship store with a Post Colonial Kolkata feel revival, in the capital with Carma. Launched by Vidya Balan the store presents the country’s Little Master -Sabyasachi Mukherjee, with the biggest market share on the fashion radar.

Sabya’s recent significant moments include designing for Aishwarya Bachchan in Oprah Winfrey’s show, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production Guzaarish, Maniratnam’s Ravan and R. Balki’s Paa. Available at this outlet are not only the finery that Sabyasachi is characteristically associated with– namely his Bridal Line, but it moves into presenting an eclectic mix of products including menswear, western, casuals, shoes, jewelry, and bags, with a special dedicated section that focuses on the revival of the woven sari.

Indeed Sabyasachi at Carma is an endeavor, that is the first for Sabyasachi and a first for Carma, where an aspiration to own an heirloom entitled Sabyasachi Mukherjee will be met.

Father and son together in the same movie! But it’s not what you think! Sure, Bollywood big shot Abhishek Bachchan and his father Amitabh Bachchan co-star in R. Balki’s drama “Paa,” but in a funny twist, Abhishek will play the father and Amitabh his son! The also stars “Guru” actress Vidya Balan and “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!” star Paresh Rawal.

The drama is set to hit theaters in India on December 4 but you can already now check out the new promo “Mudi Mudi” to get in the mood for the flick! Don’t forget to drop off your comments!

Director Sujoy Ghosh who is currently awaiting the release of his SFX-heavy fantasy flick ‘Aladin’ is already busy in signing pretty Vidya Balan for his next film. In fact, Ghosh has already narrated the script to the actress who has accepted the offer. Interestingly, Ghosh’ next is going to be an out-and-out romantic movie . This will be unlike his current ‘Aladin’. Speaking about his next movie, Ghosh says that the role is made for Vidya Balan only. In the same context he adds, ” I think she is an actress par excellence and one who can take any character a few notches higher – a quality all directors look for in their actors.”

Ghosh is just waiting with baited breath for the response to his current movie titled ‘Aladin’ before starting work on his next flick. The director is yet to show the final script to Vidya who has been incidentally in the news these days for her eye-catching roles in Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Ishquiyan’ and R. Balki’s ‘Pa’. Significantly, most of the Bollywood directors have been favoring Vidya Balan more than any other actress as they feel that Vidya is not only flexible but also ready to experiment with different roles, unlike her other senior colleagues.

R. Balki’s Paa is an extremely emotional story revolving around a couple who has a child suffering from progeria, an extremely rare genetic disease in which a child ages at an abnormally fast rate. In this scene, the couple–played by Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan–are in a pensive mood as they discuss their child. Amitabh Bachchan plays the child and has a bald look in the film. His make-up artiste is two-time Oscar winner, Stephan Dupuis and it took her four to five hours to achieve the look every day. Abhishek and Vidya sport two looks in the film, one as the young, romantic couple and the other as a mature, married couple distressed by their son’s condition. Abhishek plays a politician in the film but his character is not based on real life politicians Sachin Pilot and Milind Deora, as was reported by the media, says Balki. Produced by AB Corp, Paa is slated for a November 20 release.

Munnabhai’s girl Vidya Balan has just inked a brand endorsement deal with Dabur for its skin care product Vveda.

A source informed, “Dabur has launched skin care product called Dabur Vveda. Vidya Balan is the official brand ambassador of the range.”

Knowing the kind of hard work the actress puts in while acting, Vidya made meticulous study of the products before saying yes to the deal. “Vidya believes in Ayurvedic healing too. Ayurveda heals from the roots and Vidya was impressed by Dabur’s detailed caring towards the skin range products,” said the source.

Interestingly, besides Vidya, Amitabh Bachchan has been the Dabur brand ambassador. “There’s definitely some enigmatic connection between Vidya Balan and Amitabh Bachchan. First it was their voice – after Bachchan’s baritone voice it was Vidya’s voice that was voted the most popular. And now the Dabur deal. Plus there’s Pa – R Balki’s film in which the both star together,” said the source.

The Bachchans family has found a new fan in form of Bollywood actress Vidya Balan. Now a days Vidya Balan could be seen singing praises for superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Actually the actress is all set to share the silver screen with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. She is doing a film ‘Pa’ with Big B and Junior B.

So, the praise comes naturally. The actress believes that duo might add a hit film in her kitty.

‘Pa’ is being directed by R Balki. However, Vidya worked with Amitabh in ‘Eklavya’

Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan had a rather peculiar experience while they were shooting for final schedule of R Balki’s Pa in London.

They were standing on one of the small lawns in the university premises and because of that, they were asked to leave the Cambridge University grounds just seconds before Balki was about to call ‘Action’.

There is a strict rule in the Cambridge campus- nobody is allowed to stand on the grassy areas. Only the scholars are allowed to do so.

As the unit expected a very few people in the campus during early morning hours, they thought that they could shoot in peace. They had already completed the formalities and obtained the permission.

They were suddenly asked by the college authorities to pack up. The authorities told them they couldn’t shoot on the grassy area and since they had broken a rule, they should leave immediately. The director tried to convince them but they did not listen.

There is something that Vidya Balan (right) is crazy about apart from films. And that is her share of masala chai.

Vidya needs her daily dose of masala tea at regular intervals, especially, when she is shooting.

The actress is currently shooting for R Balki’s Pa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is badly missing her masala chai on the sets. A source from the production said, “Vidya missed having tea so badly that she went restaurant hopping desperately to find a joint that served the typical cutting chai.

Balki found it funny and teased Vidya about her tea addiction.” Pa also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Hurman Baweja.