Vidya Balan is the latest big name being linked to Deepa Mehta’s upcoming film adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s novel, Midnight’s Children.

The actress recently confirmed that she has met with the acclaimed director to discuss the possibility of playing Rani Mukerji’s sister in the film. Balan is reportedly very excited at the prospect of working with Mehta – especially given a previous attempt at collaboration a couple of years ago with a project titled Stella fell through – and though no role is confirmed yet, has put on record her statement that she “would love to work with her [Mehta]”.

However, rumour has it that bad blood between Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji – who was cast in the film at the wish of Midnight’s Children author, Salman Rushdie – may once again affect Vidya’s dreams of working with Deepa Mehta. Allegedly the relationship between the actresses has been icy ever since Pradeep Sarkar chose Rani over Vidya for a role in his second Hindi film Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, despite Vidya’s stellar performance in Parineeta.

Mehta, it seems, isn’t taking sides, saying: “I see them as sisters. They are both lovely. I am dying to work with them together.”

As reported earlier, Midnight’s Children will also star Irrfan Khan, Seema Biswas, Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das. Filming will reportedly start in September.