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| She has been nominated six times for the Filmfare awards in her small career of seven years in Bollywood, and her recent performance at the box office generates hope for many such nominations in future.
Had it been anybody else in her place, they would have been on the seventh heaven by now. But for Balan, the success of her last two releases hasn’t been able to sway her away into overconfidence. She knows that being grounded is the key to success, and is leaving no stone unturned in her way. Vidya who is nick named as Lady Khan of Bollywood say’s “I’m just too happy when I hear these kinds of compliments and they make me realise that I’m on the right track. However, I don’t get carried away as I don’t want to fly high and be overconfident.”
Box-office queen, bold, brave it was difficult for her to earn these epithets after all the criticism she faced before seeing this tremendous success “The only difficult thing was to decide whether I should walk the path taken by others or make my own road For example, when I signed Paa, I wondered whether any other actress had played a role of the mother of a 13-year-old boy at that stage of her career. I couldn’t imagine how it would turn out, whether people would like it or not. Again, Ishqiya was something I’d never done. My character was aggressive, sexually blatant and cunning and had negative shades. At times I felt like turning around and asking someone if I was doing the right thing. My family said, “If you feel this is right, do it.” This definitely boosted my confidence.” |
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| By taking unconventional route and playing female leads she took a huge risk. Vidya's position as a bankable actor was greatly discussed after the success of 'The Dirty Picture' but her critics pointed out that she could be just one film wonder and 'Kahaani' is her real test where no Naseeruddin Shah or Emraan Hashmi would be present to ease off her shoulders. But, Sujoy Ghosh's 'Kahaani' became a huge hit and Vidya got established as safe box office bet. Vidya say’s it was her family that helped her “I definitely understood one thing – if a hundred people tell me a thousand things, I cannot please them all. My family including my parents, my sister Priya and her husband asked me, “Why have you joined films?” I said, “To become an actor and bring different characters to life on the screen.” They explained, “Till now no one has criticized you as an actor. Do what you have come here to do and do it well.” I took that advice to heart. I realized nothing was bound by any rule.”
Indian woman avatar has also worked in her favour “I’m an Indian woman and I am proud of it. For one, my face and body structure are Indian. Then the characters I’ve have played have all been Indian. Today’s cinema is very near the truth; we’re showing today’s reality. People watch cinema because they feel that if the actor on the screen can do it, then they can too! People have started identifying with the characters. There is an emotional identification. Our lives have so many colours and we want filmmakers to show that.”
Roles were specially written for actors of the calibre of Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil can she achieve the same heights or it will be difficult for her to maintain the position she have achieved “I don’t think about all this. Because when I did Paa, people said, “You’ve done Amitabh Bachchan’s mother’s role! Now you will have to be careful with your choice of work. Shabana Azmi inspires me. But I’m working in a different era and there are advantages to it also. In those days, women-oriented films were essentially categorized as art films. But today they have commercial value. It’s a huge change. I can never think of comparing myself with them. They are legends. It will take a long time for me to reach anywhere near them. |
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Exotic but not
vulgar
I believe if you hesitate with sexuality on screen, then it may be perceived as vulgar. For example, when foreigners roam around in fewer clothes, you never find them vulgar because they are just as they would have been in their home country. It’s part of their culture. But if you wear a short skirt and then try to keep yourself covered, it can appear improper. If I had been hesitant while playing Silk (The Dirty Picture), fearing it might go overboard, then there could have been a problem. But if I were about to fall into the well, then I’d rather take a plunge whole-heartedly. It’s important to work uninhibitedly.
Real woman
I entered the industry as a woman with an author-backed role in Parineeta (2005). The way women were perceived then in the film industry, didn't excite me ever. But now I am happy that our industry is in that stage where the change has already happened and it is manifesting itself in a bold way.” I never planned on doing just women centric roles. But films like The Dirty Picture, No One Killed Jessica and now Kahaani inspired me to take up the challenge and put myself in the shoes of these real, ordinary women who have remarkable courage. I hope that the industry comes up with powerful 'girl' roles as well, though it's too late for me to fit in to one now.
Sensuous me
I have never had a plan to boost my career with 'meaty' roles. I was in the right place at the right time when the right roles came by and thankfully; I made the right decision to do them. Yes I've done roles that have strong sensuality. But then, every woman has an innate sense of sensuality. It's just that today; women are asserting it and are not shy expressing themselves as they used to be. And like others, I believe in celebrating my sensuality too. I enjoy it in different ways. Also, the way it is perceived differs -- The Dirty Picture was different from Ishqiya in its sensuality. So if my sensuality makes me different, I'm all for it.
Wish list of male co-stars
I would like to work with those who I have already worked with and those who I haven’t. I would love to pair with Abhishek (with whom she was seen in ‘Paa’)… It’s been long. I am very greedy to work with good actors and directors. I would like to work with Hrithik Roshan because I haven’t worked with him. I grew up watching all SRK films where he plays the ultimate romantic hero. Every woman wants a Raj (SRK’s character in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’). That’s why I have always wanted to work with SRK. Whenever we work together, I would like it to be a nice relationship story and ofcourse Aamir Khan. |
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