By Jilawatan

A plump Vidya Balan in bright sari, walking the ramp for designer Sabyasachi, certainly didn’t look showstopper material.

What’s happening to Vidya Balan? She is getting predictable and thereby boring by the day. Vidya Balan in sari and Vidya Balan with favourite designer Sabyasachi are two things that fail to grab your attention now. Despite that the actress walked the ramp for Sabyasachi on Day 5 of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. And expectedly she was dressed in a sari!

But what was appalling this time is Vidya’s puppy fat. The actress who has put on considerable weight was certainly not looking showstopper material. Apparently she has gained weight to play her character modeled on the lines of Silk Smitha in her upcoming film ‘ The Dirty Picture ‘. South sex symbol Silk Smitha was known for her flabby figure and thunder thighs and Vidya too is supposed to look like her.

We understand Vidya Balan getting into her character to play the role. But getting on to the ramp is certainly not her cup of tea.

By Jilawatan

The actress has been wearing nothing but saris everywhere. We know why!

Vidya Balan has been repeating her sari look everywhere she goes. We aren’t complaining as she never fails to impress after she discovered designer Sabyasachi. But a little change now and then hasn’t done any harm to anyone.

However, it will be long till any change comes by as far as Vidya’s personal wardrobe is considered. Vidya loves saris designed by Sabyasachi, but she has another reason for draping herself in one each time she steps out. It is believed that the actress, who will be portraying sex siren Silk Smitha in her forthcoming film, has been asked to put on weight to look curvy and voluptuous.

Vidya will start shooting soon for Milan Lutharia’s Dirty Picture and it’s the weight gain that the actress is trying to hide under the multiple layers of her saris. Vidya knows of the fact that an Indian woman looks best in a sari and that’s the funda she has put to use to look beautiful despite adding on a few extra kilos.

However, we know that Vidya’s fans won’t go long without complaining about her similar look. Time for some change Vidya!

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

Now that designer Sabya-sachi Mukherjee is over with the couture week, he’s taken a week off. Unlike fellow fraternity members, his work now is of a more filmi kind – he’s started work on his first directorial venture. “It’s one of my priorities at the moment,” said Sabya. He began writing the script from August 1.

There are two parallel stories and he’ll work on the one which appears stronger in the discussion stage. He says, “It’s all in my head right now. I’m going to take a week off from work and start it with my writer.” He refuses to give the writer’s name, saying, “It wouldn’t be fair on her. She’s quietly writing two other films too, besides this one. I don’t want to upset her apple cart.”

As to the cast, Sabya insists it’s undecided, even as the names of friends Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji do the rounds. But, he says, “I still don’t know if Vidya is there in the film. I’m very strict about my casting. If I think she doesn’t fit the role, she doesn’t fit. And I think Rani and Vidya both understand that. We are not friends because of what we can do for each other.” But, he’ll know soon enough if he’ll work with Vidya in his maiden venture. “There are two narratives. One of them will have Vidya and the other might not have. But, both films will be as vocal as I am about the socio political issues plaguing the country,” he says.

But, hadn’t he initially planned to make a dark love story? “The dark love story flew out of the window,” he says nonchalantly. It’s the changing socio-political fabric of the country that has got him hooked. “It’ll be a movie that makes you want to react,” he says. The Ayn Rand kinds? “I can’t really say. You know, if I ever wrote an autobiography, it’ll be like that movie – “Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai.” Perhaps my movie will be like that and may be called “Sabyasachi Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai!”” he says.

But, despite its seemingly serious theme, Sabya says that he plans to make it a visual delight, though people should not expect any reference to the world of fashion in it. “Just because I’m a designer, people assume it’ll have good clothes. Shayad is mein ache kapde dekhne ko hee nahi mlienge aapko. It’s a movie that’ll reflect all that you feel bad about in the society.” Even though he says it’s neither like “Udaan” or “Devdas”, he does add, “It’ll be a strong, intense film, but one that’ll make you want to change things around. People should sit in a coffee shop and discuss it. I started the khadi movement singlehandedly in my workshop without the government. Just like that, I want people to start talking about issues. I don’t want to be a preacher. Even if 10 people come (I hope more will come) to watch the movie, they should go out thinking – let’s make a change. It’s not a coming of age film, but one that makes one want to make changes around.”

But the designer himself doesn’t plan to make an appearance. “Perhaps if there is a farmer in the film, I’d do that role,” he says.

At the moment, his only focus is his writer. He says, “Today all the big studios are in a mess, because they are clueless. Big star ko le rahe hain, Sabyasachi ko le rahe hain, Rahman ko le rahe hain – fir movie kyun nahi chal rahi hai? Because they are not paying the most deserved – the writers. A good story can sell a movie. Nothing else can. Money should be paid to the writers. The distributors’ system has affected the industry adversely. They’ll say is mein Mallika Sherawat ka scene laga dijiye, waterfall de dijiye, thoda sex daal dijiye … movie chal jayegi. Today, you can’t plant such things. A lot of people must have watched “Ram Teri Ganga … ” to see Mandakini under the waterfall. But today you can’t call the audience just for that. They have easy access to pornography. Sex cannot sell a film, an idea can.”
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By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan has always faced criticism for her weight and lack of fashion ssense, but this time Balan is out to give an answer to the critics.

Not only she has lost ten kilos but has also decided to move to Sabyasachi for her own styling.

Her new avatar was just too adorable as she appeared at hotel Ramada Plaza for the launch of an all-new brand Dabur Uveda – Skincare Expert from Ayurveda. She looked slim and in shape in her red and black salwar kameez.

Her career is also on a roll. She stars opposite the junior and senior Bachchan in ‘Pa’ and also has Vishal Bharadwaj’s next called ‘Ishqiya’, where she will be seen opposite Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi.

She has also been signed by Yash Chopra’s next to be directed by Yash Chopra himself. It is the same project which was supposed to star Aamir Khan along with Preity Zinta.

By Jilawatan

CNN-IBN spotted a slim-and-trim Vidya Balan launching a skin care product in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon and the actress seems to have gone in for a wardrobe overhaul.

Sporting a red and black salwar kameez, the lady seemed far from the icon of fashion disasters that she once was.

Vidya will next be seen with the Bachchans in Pa and the actress seemed particularly impressed with the Big B’s look in the film.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes. He just transforms with every character when he comes on screen. And yet he is Amitabh Bachchan. So the combination was amazing to watch as I shot with him,” she says.

After her disastrous look in Heyy Babyy – courtesy Manish Malhotra – Vidya has opted for Sabyasachi to style for her in her latest.

“Sabya has styled my look in Pa. It’s a very organic look. But organic or ayurvedic, I am all for it,” says she.

Let’s hope it’s a change for the better for Vidya, because the fashion police will be waiting for this one.

By Jilawatan

She asks too many questions, has been christened Giggles by co-stars Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi and is finally settling in comfortably with her Indian good looks, thank you. Vidya Balan unplugged.

In the cruel heat of April, as the sun steadily beats down on the premises of Whistling Woods, Film City, actress Vidya Balan turned out in an off-white saree with a narrow border and moss-green Sabyasachi blouse is a sight for sore eyes. Balan in demure attire complete with Rapunzel locks, reminds one of the elegant simplicity of Hindi cinema best symbolised by Jaya Bachchan in Hrishikesh Mukherjee films. Days of trying to fit into the Western construct considered almost necessary for Bollywood actresses are happily behind her. A change of look for her movies is not ruled out but personally, she is all for Indian elegance. “I love wearing sarees. In fact, I have decided to wear them more often,” she says making herself comfortable in the vanity van. She is currently shooting for Balki’s Pa with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan.

Balan came into movies after a stint in Ekta Kapoor’s serial Hum Paanch and a few regional language films before her impressive debut in Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta. “I was born to be an actor,” she asserts. Quite like her pick of roles, Balan is not glamour-struck in her choice of matinee idols either. “Among actresses who made a lasting impression on me were Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. Jaya Bachchan was fantastic at what she did but was also a commercial success and that is the position one would strive for. I have tried to do films where I am an integral part of the script,” avers Balan. During her school days, Balan was convinced that she would be the next Madhuri Dixit. But soon aftershe was impressed by the power-packed performances of Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. It was during a break for her class XII exam that she watched Arth and was spellbound by Azmi’s performance. “Instead of studying, I kept wondering how they must have done the scenes. I had heard that Shabana did not use glycerine for her crying scenes and I tried all possible tricks to perform the same feat!” Balan reminisces with a laugh.

After a not-too-remarkable 2008—Halla Bol and Kismat Connection did not impress— the actress is looking at newer challenges.

This year she has been busy at work with Ishqiya opposite Naseeruddin Shah and Pa with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan. About working with legendary actors such as Shah and Bachchan, she says, “It is not easy to describe the experience – but when you see them, you realise that these greats are great because their passion, focus and dedication is unshakable. This is the first time I have acted with Mr Bachchan, with who I had barely one scene during the making of Eklavya. Watching him, I have learnt to be more patient. The humility of that man in his approach to work is incredible. He doesn’t take anything for granted even today after 40 years that I think is marvellous. It is very, very humbling.”

Of her stint with Naseeruddin Shah, she recalls, “I have loved Naseeruddin Shah’s work all my life. His daughter was my senior in college and we actually did television together. In fact, xI called up for Hiba once and he picked up…I got so nervous that I put the phone down!”

“Working with Naseer was fantastic. Initially, I was a little shy of him — we did our scenes together and then I went and sat in the corner. I think he realised it and after some time he warmed up to me. They would tease me about my laughing fits -Arshad and he named me Giggles because of it! Even through my laughing fits he was very patient,” laughs Vidya.

The conversation meanwhile has meandered to Pa, the film for which she is currently shooting, though Balan remains tightlipped about it except that “It’s a special film. The script is fabulous and there’s Balki — I loved Cheeni Kum!”

The script is something that Balan is particular about, especially after her mainstream experiments Salaam-e-Ishq and Kismat Connection met with lukewarm response. “It’s nice to do different things to know what you want to do and what you don’t. I wanted to do a purely commercial cinema and the films met the criteria. What a lot of people said after Heyy Babyy and Kismat Connection was that I was wasted in the films, so maybe I need to do roles that are more fleshed-out. The challenge then is greater and I am able to give it my best.”

She is also an actor who likes to prepare – read the script before the shoot and by her own admission, ask a lot of questions. “I would say that I preferred myself in Kismat Connection to Heyy Babyy. They are two films whose script I hadn’t read before I went to shoot. For Kismat Connection, I had thought of reading the script once I reached Canada, but I couldn’t. I went to sleep and woke up the next morning just in time for the shoot! I panicked and started crying,” she recalls. “It was almost a forewarning.”

The competition may be growing but Vidya, who in a short span has landed prestigious projects with top- league directors, is uncompromising in her quest for good films and unhurried as there are enough interesting roles going around. “ I hope that all good directors such as Pradeep Sarkar, Balki and Rajkumar Hirani repeat me in their films but I would love to work with Vishal Bhardwaj, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, Imtiaz Ali, Vinan Matthew and Rituparna Ghosh, Majid Majidi and Woody Allen perhaps?” she says, once again erupting into her infectious laughter.

With her unerring instinct and what is turning out to be an interesting body of work, the list looks very achievable.