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

Sabyasachi Mukherjee concluded day one of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) with a collection inspired by Aircel’s corporate social responsibility project “Save The Tiger”, but the designer’s main clients Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan skipped the event.Rani and Vidya usually wear outfits designed by Sabyasachi.

Hence their presence was highly expected for the show. However, they couldn’t make it. No other Bollywood face was also present in the audience, making the show a no celebrity event.

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

Sabrina Lall saw herself on 70mm for the first time on Tuesday evening, albeit through Vidya Balan, who plays Sabrina in ” No One Killed Jessica”.

The occasion was the premier of the movie for Sabrina’s family and close friends, and the main cast of the film especially flew from Mumbai to be a part of the screening, including the reel Sabrina (Vidya) and Rani Mukerji, as well as director Raj Kumar Gupta. The Delhi cast of the movie too was invited, and we spotted familiar faces Bubbles Sabharwal and Vidushi Mehra among those in the hall. While Bubbles plays the owner of the restaurant where Jessica was shot dead, Vidushi plays Sabrina’s best friend in the movie.

Among Delhi’s social regulars, we spotted Baba Anand, Aruna Bal and Vikrum Baidyanath during the screening. After the show got over, we met Liza Varma, who said, “We are very close to Sabrina’s family, and wanted to see the portrayal of her struggle for justice.” When we caught up with Sabrina after the movie, she was on her way to a friend’s bash, but in between a quick photoshoot, she told us, “Both Rani and Vidya have done a very good job.”

By Jilawatan

The much talked Bollywood film of the year No One Killed Jessica had a grand premiere in presence of some big names of the industry. However, Vidya had a special guest, her son megastar Amitabh Bachchan. She could not miss inviting Big B, who played her son in Paa.

Amitabh also acknowledged the invitation posting about it in his blog. He wrote that Vidya called over the Bachchan family for the premiere of her strong film based on Jessica Lal murder case, which involved the son of a well known and powerful politician.

Vidya’s performance in the movie is liked by Big B and said that she has been graceful as always and the performances have justified the story and title of the film.

Big B was also elated to meet Rani Mukerji after a long time. The actress was once very close the Bachchan family before Abhishek got married to Aishwarya. The megastar also expressed his happiness over meeting Rani saying that he is very happy to see her after a long gap. Rani is also playing an important role in the movie.

Mr. Bachchan offered his best wishes to the film and its team. We hope Big B’s wish works for the film and Rani, who will be seen in a quite different role in this film, which is releasing tomorrow.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan will be soon seen with a baby bump in a forthcoming film, ‘Kahaani’. The film directed by Sujoy Ghosh has Vidya Balan playing the role of a pregnant woman. The most interesting part is that Vidya will be seen with the bump not just in a scene or two but throughout the film. The film is about a journey of a lady who is six months pregnant and who reaches Kolkata searching for her husband. Known to be a perfectionist, Vidya is known to live the character she plays on screen. So sporting a baby bump and being comfortable with the look is all a part of the professional regime that the actress follows. She has earlier played mother to a baby in Sajid Khan’s ‘Heyy Baby’.

Director Sujoy Ghosh, is full of praises for the gifted actress for carrying off the role so effortlessly. He said that he had written the script with Vidya in mind and none other than Vidya could have portrayed the character so well. “It’s the story of a woman who’s six months pregnant and her journey. 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.

Vidya Balan has another interesting film coming up, ‘No one Killed Jessica’, based on the real life killing of Jessica Lal, where she plays a lawyer and co-stars with Rani Mukerji. The beautiful actress made her debut in Bollywood with the film ‘Parineeta’ by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She shot into limelight with her maiden performance and made everyone take note of her. There has been no looking back ever since.

By Jilawatan

‘Ishqiya’ seductress Vidya Balan have managed to keep controversies at bay, but recently when her ‘kiss’ photos with Rani Mukerji were splashed in tabloids, she couldn’t hide her shyness.

During the promotion of ‘No One Killed Jessica’, when Rani Mukerji ‘mock-kissed’ Vidya Balan, heads turned.

Talking about the incident to a daily, Vidya said, “Rani and I were fed up of answering questions about whether we had catfights. The truth is that we didn’t have any. Someone asked us if we had kissed and made up, so in the heat of the moment we did a mock kiss. I don’t need that kind of publicity, and neither does the film.”

Vidya plays model Jessica Lal’s younger sister Sabrina in ‘No One Killed Jessica’. In the film, she teams up with Rani, who essays the role of a reporter, to fight for her sister Jessica’s justice.

Balan was pleased about the fact that the Jessica case verdict came out while the film was still being shot. According to her, hearing that news was reassuring.

Vidya maintains that even though the film borrows a lot from the actual case, it is not a docudrama. Vidya said, “It’s a dramatised version of the actual event.”

In fact, she met two people who called the ‘No One Killed Jessica’ thappad (slap) help line to offer solutions to their problems.

“We had an astounding response. Five thousand people called up on an average every day — to complain about eve teasing, harassment and other issues,” she said.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan delighted in a working girl look plugging her new film No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ) at the FM Station 98.3 Radio Mirchi Studios at Lower Parel in Mumbai on Tuesday, December 28.

Balan was accompanied by her co-star Rani Mukerji. The two stars, who rank amidst Bollywood’s finest, were animated and voluble talking about the film that is inspired from the Jessica Lal murder case in New Delhi.

The 32-year-old Ishqiya star, who plays Jessica Lal’s sister Sabina in the film, was dressed in character – a blush Lucknavi kurti, faded blue skinny jeans, black strappy sandals, thick frame eyeglasses and long wavy locks.

Balan and Mukerji talked with RJ Jeeturaaj while he played the film’s songs for the listeners. They also answered fan questions posed to them using the radio stations’s facebook account.

When it comes to fashion, Balan prefers a no-nonsense approach, wearing attires that she feels comfortable in. We bet she loves not having to doll up to promote NOKJ. We will probably be seeing a lot more of Balan in kurtis, jeans and eyeglasses in the coming days until the release of the film on January 7.

By Jilawatan

Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan come together for the first time in 2011′s first release, No One Killed Jessica.

Much has been written about their animosity but they maintained a fun atmosphere when Sonil Dedhia met up with them. Watch this video to check it out.

The actresses talked at length about the film, about being friends, and much more.

The response to the film’s promos has been fantastic.
Vidya: Yes, the response is fantastic. We were expecting good response from the audience but this has exceeded our expectations. This response has increased our responsibility. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed that we all can live up to them.

Rani: I am delighted; it feels good to hear that people are talking about the movie. The songs are getting a good response too. As an actor, what more can one ask for before the release?

By Jilawatan

No One Killed Jessica actress Vidya Balan says she feels glad that today’s youth are not just clear about their opinions but know how to voice them and drive the government to act – as was seen in the Jessica Lall murder case. “I think it’s very interesting that youth are voicing their opinion on issues and willing to participate through blogs, SMSes and even social networking sites. And the media has helped youth a lot in mobilising public opinion. I am glad youth are not armchair activists saying justice should be meted out. Youth of today say, ‘We can be part of the process to make sure justice is given’. It’s wonderful,” Vidya told IANS in an interview.
The 32-year-old has a vivid recollection of youth participation during the over-a-decade-long legal battle following the murder of model Jessica Lall, who was shot dead by Manu Sharma, the son of a Haryana politician in 1999.

“Back then all of us felt very strongly about it. I remember college students were incensed by what had happened. I am talking about the time a little later than 1999… the case was still going…and there was a fervour across the country. Sitting in Mumbai, people were doing signature campaigns and everyone felt involved in some ways. So it’s nice to see youth have force,” she said.

In Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica, releasing on January 7, Vidya will be seen essaying the role of Sabrina Lall, Jessica’s sister who fought day in and day out to get justice for her younger sister. After living the part in the reel, she hopes no one goes through the experience in real life.

“I would not want anyone to go through any legal battle for so long because the legality aside, it is emotionally draining. I do think that the verdict reassured my faith in the judicial system of the country, but, again, as a citizen I wish justice had been meted out earlier than it was,” said Vidya, who has teamed up with Rani Mukerji in the film.

Vidya never got a chance to meet Sabrina Lall in person before or during the shooting of the film. “Rajkumar Gupta was very clear that all I needed to know was the facts of the case. He wanted me to chart out an emotional journey of Sabrina on my own. Also, we didn’t want to misuse her kindness because she was kind enough to go through our script and give her consent to our film. Sabrina’s emotional journey is the core of the film. But, yes, it is a feature film…it is about stirring people’s emotions,” she said.

Does she hope the film will inspire youth to be more vocal? “I have never thought how inspirational could the film be for viewers. If it happens to inspire, great! But we have not set out to make the film for that purpose. What really inspired us was the spirit of Sabrina… spirit of all thos