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

It was a splendid tribute to contemporary and classic fashion at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week ( WIFW) grand finale Sunday as the ramp came alive with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s vibrant colourful collection. Also present was his favourite muse Vidya Balan .

The ramp was transformed into a vintage set reminiscent of an old British library. Set against a backdrop of life-sized iconic fashion bibles, the all black wooden ramp was bedecked with flamboyant colourful bulbs. The finale opened with a stellar performance by famous performer Kiya from London and Vidya walking with the designer.

Mukherjee’s collection was inspired by paintings of three of his favourite artists – Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin.

“The collection was inspired from the 1960s and 1970s style in the international market.

The silhouettes were sports meets retro-rock on a colour palate which varies from black and white with a mix of super bright colours as well. But the entire range used Indian handicrafts fabrics like textured khadi, a little bit of zardozi, beaten and burnt crystals and lace,” said Mukherjee after the show.

The collection was high on functionality with models sporting the retro-meets- contemporary look. The garments which grabbed eyeballs were modern versions of the flared 1950′s skirts with sporty elastic that made them fuss free and floor-touching dresses.

Vidya, dressed up in traditional yellow sari, was seen cheering for the designer.

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

In dreams begin responsibilities, said Irish poet William Butler Yeats, and Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who has achieved a dream success out of his profession seems to be aware of the responsibility that comes with the status that he has attained. The designer was in the city on Friday along with actress Vidya Balan, one of the most well- known ambassadors of his exquisite saris, to raise awareness about the cultural significance of Indian textiles.

The talk, hosted by Young FICCI Ladies Organisation at Sabyasachi’s Carma store at the Qutub Complex, was a riot of colours as the guests had all turned up in bright traditional saris to support the project titled Save the Sari . It’s a cause espoused by the designer as well, and it provides weavers with ideas, colours and designs to keep the interest of the Indian women alive in the nine- yard wonder wrap.

The ladies, in fact, outshone the beautiful actress and even dismissed the myth that only the Page 3 regulars can add glamour to an event. The actress, who made a splash with her debut feature film Parineeta , essaying a traditional woman’s role in a period drama, seemed to have found her defence in the sari, which has partially rescued her from the attack by the fashion police of which she was a regular victim till not too long ago.

“ Sari is the sexiest garment of all and brings out the ultra femininity in a woman. I am a well endowed person and don’t believe in the size zero battle and saris make me look good,” said Balan who is known for her consistently good performances on screen in nonmainstream roles but has often found herself on the ‘ worst dressed celebrity’ list off screen. Sabyasachi’s favourite muse looked graceful in a green sari teamed with minimum jewellery.

The snacks of the evening, too, came with the traditional tag — on a special request by the designer, the guests were served non- dietary goodies like the kachori s and samosa s, topped off by kulharwali chai . “ Out of all the achievements of my life, seeing the Delhi women dressed in traditional saris is the biggest feather in my cap” said the designer.

The designer’s achievements, however, go beyond that. The proceeds from the sale of his beautiful saris, which were on display at Carma, will go towards supporting the livelihood of the weavers who give shape to the exquisite saris.

The event was hosted by former Miss India Manpreet Brar, who too looked graceful in a turquoise sari.

By Jilawatan

Guess what is Bollywood actress Vidya Balan’s hobby? Well it is a little unusual we agree, but nevertheless true to the actress’ tastes. After suffering much criticism for sporting western outfits in a couple of films, Vidya Balan is back to wearing what she looks best in, the traditional Indian outfit, the sari. And now we hear that collecting saris is her secret passion. Reports claim that the Indian femme fatale has a collection of saris which can take any Indian woman by surprise. Yes, Vidya Balan currently owns more than 500 pieces of the traditional Indian drape.

Her sari collection comprises of a variety of fabrics and the actress says that she tries to take the best possible care of each piece of sari that is currently inside her wardrobe, washing and preserving them well. And if you thought that the only designer’s saris that the actress likes sporting is her favorite Sabyasachi Mukherjee, think again. Vidya Balan has said in an interview that it is not only the Kolkata man, but also several other designers’ saris that she has purchased to add to her existing collection of saris.

One question we would like to ask Vidya is why does she choose to stick to only Sabyasachi Mukherjee when it comes to sporting a sari at an event. We would advise her to try some other designers too!

By Jilawatan

Rani Mukherjee is currently working with Vidya Balan for their upcoming movie No One Killed Jessica. But the latest buzz is that the two Bengali beauties are not the best of buddies on the set.

Crew members revealed that Rani, who is a senior actress with many awards in her kitty, maintains a distinctive behaviour that inhibits Vidya from talking to her. Vidya is not very keen to break the ice either. The two beauties give their shots and then scurry back to their vanity vans.

Although no one has seen the two actresses fight, the cold vibes on set is apparent. So, what is the reason behind this strife? Reports suggest that designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee ditched Vidya for Rani Mukherjee for his directorial debut, and since then the two actresses are not in talking terms. Rani, on the other hand, asked the director of No One Killed Jessica to make certain changes to the script, which would cut Vidya’s role short. As the saying goes ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’.

By Jilawatan

One thing about Vidya Balan is that she loves experimenting with different roles. And this was quite evident in the roles the actress picked for the US president Barack Obama, which she would like to see him enact.
Vidya chosed Amitabh’s character in ‘Paa’, SRK’s role from his super successful film ‘Chak De! India’ and the romantic role of Naseeruddin Shah in ‘Ishqiya’.

Vidya wanted to meet Obama
Buzz has it that the ‘Paa’ actress Vidya Balan was all keyed up about meeting the US president’s Barack Obama in Mumbai, if given a chance but knows that it’s not possible.

While speaking about his visit and the characters that she would like Obama to play, Vidya stated, “It would be a pick out of three…I’d love to see him play Amitabh Bachchan’s character in Paa for sure. It’s a challenge, but I’m sure he’d be up to it. I also see him fit the bill as Shah Rukh’s inspiring role in Chak De and also that of a helpless romantic as Naseeruddin Shah was in Ishqiya.”

Apart from films, the actress if given an opportunity would like to take Obama to the film city and show him, what happens behind the scenes of Hindi films.

Vidya and Rani don’t share a cordial relationship
Both Vidya and Rani together might share a great friendship with their favorite designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, but it’s believed that they don’t like talking to each other.

According to the latest reports, Vidya and Rani might be playing sisters in their upcoming film ‘No One Killed Jessica’, but the two co-stars don’t even interact with each other or discuss their scenes.

Incidentally, sources have revealed that Rani throws her attitude of a super senior and seems to carry that tag around and makes it difficult for her co-stars to approach her.

Speaking about Vidya and Rani, sources stated, “Rani and Vidya have shot most of their scenes together. There were times when they were the only actors on the sets but still they would not sit and chat after the director called cut. Not even the breaks on the sets inspired them to interact with each other or discuss their scenes.”

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actresses Vidya Balan and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s friendship is no secret and the actress recently admitted that she stalks him all the time.

“Sabya is the only designer I stalk these days,” confessed the actress, who was sporting a crème Sabyasachi sari with red blouse at the opening show of Pearls Infrastructure Projects Ltd (PIPL) Delhi Couture Week.

After facing a lot of flak from fashion brigades for her wardrobe, Vidya was bailed out by Sabyasachi who reinvented her looks and style. After that, the actress makes heads turn whereever she actress goes.

So, be it award functions, press conferences or a movie, Vidya, who is here to support him, sure knows who to stalk now.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood actresses Vidya Balan and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s friendship is no secret and the actress recently admitted that she stalks him all the time.

“Sabya is the only designer I stalk these days,” confessed the actress, who was sporting a crème Sabyasachi sari with red blouse at the opening show of Pearls Infrastructure Projects Ltd (PIPL) Delhi Couture Week.

After facing a lot of flak from fashion brigades for her wardrobe, Vidya was bailed out by Sabyasachi who reinvented her looks and style. After that, the actress makes heads turn whereever she actress goes.

So, be it award functions, press conferences or a movie, Vidya, who is here to support him, sure knows who to stalk now.