Vidya Balan has always tried to be pretty different from regular Bollywood actresses. Single at thirty, Vidya Balan may or may not be flirty, but she has been linked to just about every male star that she has worked with. Vidya is now all set to lure two men —Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi — in her next film, Ishqiya, a far cry from her role in Paa (Accolades are still pouring in for her ma act in Paa) and one thing that everybody is talking about is her character Krishna, which is said to have negative undertones.

While Vidya loves crossing borders with her roles, she’s back to her old ways, with sarees finding favour with her during public appearances. “Yes, I’m back to doing what I like. Moreover, Indian woman are built in such a way that they look sexy as well as sensuous in a saree,” she says.

On the career front as well, it seems she’s finding work of her choice. Her next film is No One Killed Jessica with Rajkumar Gupta, for which she’ll soon start shooting. Then, she has Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Chenab Gandhi and a project by Gulzar, who’s getting back to direction after Hu Tu Tu. “I hope this run continues and I get to do good films,” she says.

LETS DO SOME HEART TALK WITH GEROGES ACTRESS AND YOU ARE SURE TO FALL IN ISHQ WITH HER:

All the girls are gossiping about you. All the women want to be like you, and all men want a piece of you. Shall we call you the 'Obsession the Year'?
(Laughs out loud) That's very flattering. Thank you so much. I don't know how to react to that but it does pay off to be a bad girl sometimes.

Can you recall your flirty days?
Oh yes! I think flirting is a very healthy way to any relationship. I can't recall any one instance of my days when I used to flirt. Probably, there are too many. (laughs).

Are you a director's actor?
I think I'm fortunate to work with people who are as passionate about their films as I'm passionate about acting maybe, much more. Both Vishal Bhardwaj and Vidhu Vinod Chopra eat, drink and breathe cinema. That is the beauty of it. And thus a good film is made every time they are behind the camera. So yes, you become a director's actor when you work with them.

Do you like older men or younger men?
Naseer saab is much older. He is very cool, but I wouldn't dare say anything about him. And Arshad is a dear friend (laughs). So how do you expect me to answer this one?

Your saris are too mesmerizing and you carry it off so beautifully, in the film, on the red carpet or at home. So has Vidya Balan re-defined the word 'beautiful?
This is getting too flattering (laughs). Thank you so much. I don't really know how to comment on this one. I'm overwhelmed on your comment.

You have been written off many times Vidya. But then, how seriously do you take the media, who again sing your praises?
To each their own. I think compliments are always welcome. Because some people haven't written me off is the reason that I'm out here today. If people didn't like me, I wouldn't be getting work. It's all about faith, and each one has their own opinion. I am not affected by anything the media or people say about me. I focus more on the positives, really.

Your performance in 'Paa' is being appreciated a great deal now, but before the film came out, everyone was only talking about the Bachchans. Were you okay with that?
It was being pitched as a father-son film and it is truly the most unique thing for a real-life father and son to go through a role reversal. But as far as my role was concerned, I knew that once people saw it, they would realize what it was about. I wasn't worried about that at all. And of course the kind of response I have received has been really overwhelming.

Can't you help feeling a little vindicated now that everyone is suddenly saying great things about you?
I try and look at it more positively it's my faith in my choices It isn't about proving anyone right or wrong. Again, it is a matter of attitude. I think Bernstein said it, 'Keep away from those who belittle your ambition, truly great are those who make you feel you too can be great'. If someone is belittling your ambition, then keep away from them.

How do you define your own originality?
I'm not trying to be different. I make use of the best opportunities I get. Some may work and some may not. But I'm extremely passionate about my profession, and I truly live in it.