By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan looks all set to unite with her Munnabhai co-star Sanjay Dutt for a new bag of gags. This time, she will be reprising Hema Malini’s role in the 1982 comedy, Satte Pe Satta.

The film, directed by Soham Shah, will see Dutt essay Amitabh Bachchan’s role in the original.

“It’s true. Vidya has been approached to play the role essayed by Hema Malini in Satte Pe Satta.

“Shah wanted an actress who could look mature and sexy, traditional and modern at the same time,” says a trade analyst.

Reportedly, Vidya loved the script and is keen to work out the dates for the film in her packed diary.

Shah, who made his Bollywood debut as a director in the Karan Johar-produced film Kaal in 2005, is now busy giving finishing touches to his script, said a source.

“The casting of the other characters will be announced in due time,” added the source.

The 1982 original, directed by Raj N. Sippy, was a Bollywood remake of the 1954 Hollywood musical, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

While Vidya’s role in the new film will be along the lines of Hema Malini’s character of a no-nonsense bhabhi, director Shah plans to give her character a quirky update to match the tastes of Gen-Now.

It will also be in keeping with Vidya’s image as an actress who has been successfully playing very different characters, including a hip mom in Paa and the sultry village woman in Ishqiya.

“The heroine also had to be a girl who could match up to a senior actor like Sanjay Dutt,” said the source.

In fact, Dutt was reportedly keen that Shah cast Vidya as the heroine in the film. The original film saw Hema Malini’s character, Indu, fall in love and marry Amitabh Bachchan’s character, Ravi.

Much of the comedy in Satte Pe Satta arose from Indu’s attempts to get along with Ravi’s six brothers, who have grown up without any parental supervision.

Of late, Vidya has had a great run at the box-office. Also, after picking up almost all the popular Best Actress awards for her role in Paa last year, she seems to have become the darling of the awards circuit. She is on a winning spree for her role in Ishqiya as well.

Vidya’s upcoming kitty of films is quite an interesting mix. She plays a vengeful action heroine in Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani, said to be a remake of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.

Milan Luthria’s Dirty Picture is a biopic that casts Vidya as the troubled Tamil siren, Silk Smitha.

Vidya has already created a buzz with reports saying she has put on weight to match Silk Smitha’s “thunder thighs” look that ruled in the eighties.

Her special dance number in Santosh Sivan’s upcoming Urumi has also kept her in the news, even as she continues to receive rave reviews for her role of Sabrina Lall in her latest release, No One Killed Jessica.

“It’s been a while since Vidya has done a solid comic role. She would love to play the central female character in the Satte Pe Satta remake. Of course, she has to okay the script first,” says the source.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan is very fond of Rekha. The actress loves to dress and look like the beautiful Rekha. The fact that both actresses hail from South, bonds them more than anything else.

It is believed that after a recent movie award function, Rekha expressed her wish to watch Vidya’s much talked about film No One Killed Jessica. And could Vidya deny? The actress instantly decided to hold a special screening for Bollywood’s greatest diva and few close friends.

Rekha was super impressed and moved by the way Vidya portrayed the role of Sabrina Lall. She couldn’t stop herself and cried while watching the film. Rekha said that Vidya was fantastic in her character and also started addressing her as Sabrina. Rekha gave her blessings and hugged Vidya after watching the film.

How touching!

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

Vidya Balan has discovered a new side to Delhi. During her extensive shoot in the capital for ” No One Killed Jessica”, the Bollywood star walked through crowded streets and markets, even in old Delhi, and was quite surprised to find that people did not stop to watch the shooting. Delhiwallahs are as busy as Mumbaikars, the actress said.

“I always thought Delhi was a bit more relaxed than Mumbai where nobody walks aaram se (in a relaxed way). But through my walks in Delhi during the shoot of ‘No One Killed Jessica’, I realised that people don’t have time to look at you. Life is as fast-paced here as in Mumbai,” Vidya told IANS.

The 32-year-old essays the role of Sabrina Lall in the film, based on the murder case of model Jessica Lall, who was shot dead by Manu Sharma in 1999. For many scenes, Vidya had to shoot in perennially crowded areas like Connaught Place and Bhikaji Cama Place in the capital, but says she was surprised that no one waited to see the shooting, unlike earlier times.

“I give complete leeway to the fact that I was dressed differently – very plain and simply. I saw a mad rush of people in CP and Bhikaji Cama, but people didn’t have time to stop and look at us. I had always heard that Mumbai is more used to stars and Delhi isn’t used to stars, but even here, no one cared! This is one new side of Delhi that I got to explore,” she added.

Vidya spent a-month-and-a-half shooting in Delhi for the Rajkumar Gupta film, and says the experience was heart-warming. The film releases Friday.

“I actually walked through the streets of Delhi for the film. It’s been a different and heart-warming experience because it wasn’t like just shooting in one location. I had to walk through streets wearing absolutely plain clothes and shoot with hidden cameras to look like one of the people in the crowd.

“I won’t be able to specify the streets I traversed, but I know I have been through both – Puraani Dilli and New Delhi. I have really explored Delhi like I could never have done alone and I don’t think any Delhiite has explored Delhi the way I did during this shoot,” she said, sounding overwhelmed.

The actress who hails from Tamil Nadu loves Delhi’s winter.

“It always feels so good to be back in Delhi, especially at this time of the year. It’s so charming… we don’t have this kind of weather in Mumbai. The streets are so much calmer during these days than the rest of the year. So I really like it.”

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

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan says that designer friend Sabyasachi gave her such a plain Jane look in ‘No One Killed Jessica’ that any actress shouldn’t be sporting the same.

Vidya Balan has changed a lot in terms of her on and off screen styling. The actress received a lot of flak in the past for her poor dressing sense. Finally she seems to have taken the help of renowned designer and good friend Sabyasachi who has helped her get a beautiful, classy and graceful Indian look.

Interestingly the same designer is responsible for giving her a plain Jane image while playing a very regular ordinary looking girl in her forthcoming film ‘No One Killed Jessica’. The actress plays the character of Sabrina Lall in Rajkumar Gupta’s film based on the Jessica Lall murder case.

So Vidya will be seen in oversized T-shirts, ponytail and an extremely ordinary look in the film. Wasn’t there a risk to sport such an ordinary look especially when you have costar Rani Mukherjee in a super glam avatar in the film? “Not at all”, reverts Vidya. “Sabrina is a regular girl and the film is the story of her journey. She is an ordinary girl who emerges as a hero and stands out among the crowd while fighting this case”.

Vidya does admit that she was surprised when director Rajkumar Gupta and designer friend Sabyasachi told her about the look for the first time. “Sabya got me oversized T-shirts. I was shocked and asked him do you really think I should be wearing this? I am also sporting a ponytail and using nondescript glasses in the film. He gave me a look that any actress should not be sporting. But when I stood in front of mirror I could Sabrina Lall. I saw a real person and that was very exciting for me as an actor.”

Happy with the response her character has received, Vidya says, “It’s interesting when you get that kind of reaction to a promo. It’s very encouraging. We are hoping to live up to the expectations and maybe even go beyond that with the entire film.”

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan immediately bowls you over with her smile and style. Excerpts from an interview.

From playing the sensuous Krishna in “Ishqiya” to Sabrina Lall in ” No One Killed Jessica” is a huge leap…
Oh! Totally. Both the characters are dramatically different. While Krishna was a firebrand, my portrayal of Sabrina is subdued. Moreover, one is a fictitious character whereas the other is inspired by a real person. So that was the big challenge.

Taking into account your past films, seems like you want to be different each time?
More than anything else, it’s gratifying to play different characters. No one person is similar to the other and I want to do something different each time I’m on screen. To a certain extent I have proved that Vidya Balan can do a lot more than others think and that makes me happy. But as an actor I don’t think I’m ever going to be satisfied with the way my career is going so far. I have this insatiable hunger to keep doing different characters everytime. In my next with Sujoy Ghosh I play a pregnant woman throughout the movie. After I finish playing one character, I have this need to play another person. In a way I’m schizophrenic and I love it.

You are the only South Indian actor from your generation to have made it big in the Hindi film industry.
I feel blessed. People thought I was limited due to my looks. But I transformed that. Today, when top directors want to sign me for their films, it shows their faith in me and shows that I have evolved as an actor. The credit goes to my parents and well wishers who egged me on. It’s due to them that I have this fire in my belly. Plus, I have been fortunate to have chosen the right scripts and worked with the best directors. Some day, I hope to do mad comedies like Sridevi did.

With “Paa” and “Ishqiya” doing well you’ve proved that a heroine need not don skimpy outfits to draw crowds.
Over time, the only actresses who’ll survive will be the ones who have given substantial performances. The awards that we receive are for the work we have done and not for the clothes we have worn. But it’s not just an actor’s effort that has brought about the change. It’s the kind of scripts and directors who have given women prominence on screen. Today, you are less apologetic about being a woman in showbiz.

Any plans of doing a full- fledged South Indian film?
My parents want me to do do a Malayalam film some day. For starters I have done a guest appearance in “Urumi”. Maybe in the future, I’ll do a full-fledged Malayalam film. I’m also open to Telugu films.

By Jilawatan

Well, Aamir certainly seems to have inspired a lot of Bollywood artistes into following his perfectionist ways. And Vidya Balan seems set to be the next actress going the Aamir way. Vidya has decided to do one or two films a year as she wants to make sure that they will be successful at the box office.
Sources say, “Vidya is ensuring that she gives 100 per cent to her roles from the moment the script lands in her hand. She makes sure she knows her character thoroughly before taking on the role and studies everything there is to know about it. You will never see her doing ditzy roles but significantly defining ones.”
After Paa and Ishqiya, Vidya’s penchant for acting will now be seen in the role of Sabrina Lall in Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica, based on the murder of the model Jessica Lall. The actress has made sure that she has left no stone unturned in performing the role.
“It is necessary for me as an actor,” says Vidya. “I am constantly looking to do something different. I want to look forward to something new when I get up every morning. I want that excitement when I go on the sets or else life will be boring. Such roles make me selfish as an actor.”
Speaking about the film she says, “The film is a fast paced thriller set in the hub of political power, New Delhi. It is the story of two amazing women and their relentless pursuit of justice that mobilises an entire nation to prove that in a democracy there is no greater power than the power of the people.”

By Jilawatan

or a year, both Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji have been part of the making of ” No One Killed Jessica”, a movie that’s based on the Jessica Lall murder case in Delhi and Sabrina Lall’s fight for justice for her sister. Yet, Vidya, who plays Sabrina, and Rani, who plays the role of a reporter who helps Sabrina, did not meet Lall during the filming of the movie.

But on Thursday, Sabrina was present at the unveiling of the first look of the film in Delhi along with the two actresses and the movie’s director Rajkumar Gupta, and the group spent a long time talking about the case, the movie and its filming. Sabrina was overwhelmed when she saw the trailer of the movie and told TOI, “There are a lot of situations, little incidents that happened then and are part of the trailer, and they bring back a flood of emotions. But the trailer makes me want to watch more.” Sabrina added that despite the movie having two mainstream actresses, she never bothered about the movie becoming more masala than reality. She says, “UTV was at the helm – if it were someone else, and I won’t take any names, I surely would’ve been worried. After meeting Rajkumar and reading the script, I was never worried. I was also not involved with any other decisions on the movie. I was only there for the inputs.”

By Jilawatan

After Madhuri Dixit, Tabu and Amrita Rao, MF Husain has found a new muse. The 94–year-old artist has reportedly watched Ishqiya (2010) 12 times already — he had earlier seen Dixit’s Hum Aapke Hain Kaun…! (1994) 70 times—and is fida over the gorgeous Vidya Balan. He wants to paint her and wants her in his next directorial venture.

The actress admits that they have spoken and Husain has been extremely generous with his compliments. “I was so overwhelmed when I heard this, I remember reading about him painting Madhuri years ago. And a painting by Husain saab would immortalise me, though I don’t know how to react to the word ‘gorgeous’,” Balan laughs.

She admits that though she has been exposed to his art, she hasn’t seen his two earlier films, Gaja Gamini (2000) and Meenaxi—A Tale of Three Cities (2004). “But I will definitely watch both the films before we meet,” she asserts. “I’d love to work with him and I’m hoping we can get started on the movie by next year.”

Inspiring Sabrina
Meanwhile, Balan who is being felicitated at every award function for Paa or Ishqiya, has almost wrapped up No One Killed Jessica in which she is playing a character reportedly inspired by the late model’s sister Sabrina Lall. Lall, for 11 years, continued with her crusade for justice and was finally vindicated when the accused, Manu Sharma, was found guilty and got a life sentence.

Contrary to rumours, Balan says she hasn’t met Sabrina Lall yet. “She’s never visited the sets, I’d have known if she had, but she’s definitely the face of the Jessica Lall case,” Balan asserts. “Her fight has proved that you have to be the change you want to see in the world.”

In her own way, Balan points out, she too has fought to live and work on her terms. It wasn’t easy veering away from the
conventional stereotype and choosing to do films like Paa and Ishqiya. “But I defied the rules and today I am in a unique position where little kids address me as ‘Paa ki maa’ and young men see me as Krishna whose ‘gaalis’ are sexy,” she laughs.