In this throwback interview, Vidya Balan talks with Subhash K Jha about 2005’s Parineeta and more.
One keeps seeing you doing glamorous photo shoots. Are you trying to move away from the Parineeta image?
It has been a year since Parineeta. Yes, I’ve been doing photo-shoots with a difference because people want to see the other side of me. But I’m only doing what I ‘m comfortable with. There was this one picture which I shot for a magazine where the outfit was too revealing. I went around hiding the magazine from my father after that. I don’t think being glamourous requires taking off your clothes. Rekha in all her finery is so glamorous and Aishwarya Rai is the epitome of grace; I admire the way she conducts herself.
You’ve been saddled with the image of a typical Indian girl.
That’s my USP and I do not see any reason to shy away from it. Even if I tried to be someone else, I’d be a disaster. Even when I play a radio-jockey in Raj Kumar Hirani’s film I wear kurtas, skirts and other desi accessories. I wish I were born 40 years ago and could live life in a sari.
Saif and you look more like siblings than lovers on screen in Parineeta?
That’s probably because of our long noses. Earlier when I did a music video with Palash Sen people said I looked like his sister. Now Saif… I just hope the nose doesn’t come in the way of our passionate love making scenes.
How does it feel to be seen as belonging to the Chopra camp?
It’s better to be called a part of a camp than to be associated with bad films. Mr Chopra didn’t believe in me before Parineeta. He signed me for three films after that. I’m proud of that. I’m often asked if I will play a strong character in Eklavya again. But there are so many kinds of strengths to project on screen. The shades differ in both films.
One keeps hearing about your entry and exit from projects.
I think I’ve been very honest with every producer who has approached me so far. What I really need to do is to learn to be more tactful while declining offers due to date problems. I’ve had a very big producer telling me I had no business turning down his assignment because I’m a newcomer. But as an individual I have the right to say no rather than be evasive.
How has the experience of working with Sanjay Dutt been?
I heard about my affair with him. (Laughs) I wonder where that came from! I think we were linked because he’s the only hero with whom I’ve done three films so far. But I don’t think anyone took this link-up seriously. Whether it’s John, Saif or Sanju, I have not stayed in touch with either of them outside work. People take my link-up with Dada (Parineeta director Pradeep Sarkar) more seriously. I’ve come to terms with the rumours about us doing the rounds. I guess I’ll just have to live with that.
You have worked with a wide spectrum of actors, ranging from Amitabh Bachchan to Madhavan.
I can’t call Mr Bachchan my co-star. That’s a little exaggerated. As for Madhavan, I was supposed to have worked with him in a couple of Tamil films a while ago. Those films didn’t work out. Now we’re finally doing Guru. My equation with Maddy is completely coloured by my affection for his son Vedaant. He’s an adorable child with the most beautiful big blue eyes.
How did it feel when Mr Bachchan singled you out as the face to watch out for in the future?
It’s was a humbling moment. Even if he had just noticed me I would have considered it to be a big compliment. But to have him say such wonderful things about me is unbelievable. Amitji and I don’t have too many scenes together in Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya. In fact, we’ve just three scenes. But we watched the edit together. When he entered he greeted me with a ‘Namaste’. Then he held my hand and said I was exceptional. I started giggling. He said, ‘All of us are in love with you’. I was at a loss of words. It made my parents so proud. I’ve learnt from him how important it is to be generous to the people around you. I saw the same kind of humility and generosity in Sanjay Dutt during Parineeta and Eklavya.
