Tuesday Oct 9 4:10 PM
Ramesh Shah, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network
Lately, Vidya Balan has earned a reputation for getting into controversies over refusal of roles or disagreeing with costume designers. The actress clarifies about some of the misunderstandings
Excerpts of an interview:
Tell us about BHOOL BHULAIYA?
That's my next release. I play the catalyst in the film that opens the door to a chain of events. I am very excited about the film. It's a psychological thriller in true sense. I loved being directed by Priyadarshan.
You were criticized for your look in HEYY BABYY?
As a team, Manish Malhotra (fashion designer for me in HEYY BABYY) should have worked better. I think it was the collective responsibility of Manish Malhotra and myself.
You had put on lots of weight in the recent past?
Yes.
Why did you allow it to happen?
I think I had allowed things to drift. I should have looked after myself more. But it's fine now. I am gyming a lot now and keeping as fit as a fiddle.
You had problems with Aki Narula's clothes while shooting for Ramesh Taurani's film in Canada?
Such things happen. It's not a big deal. I don't know why the media went ballistic about it. Aki left the clothes and came away to India. I didn't like some of the clothes because I felt that they didn't go with the character. So, I went to shop on my own. That was fun.
All is not well between you and your mentor Pradeep Sarkar?
Yeah. Dada (Sarkar) was offended when I refused LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG (that role has been done by Konkona Sen Sharma).
How long will his heartburn last?
That I can't say. But knowing Dada, I am sure that he will come around.
Why did you turn down Laaga...?
Dada wanted me to shoot in January '07 but I had committed those dates for HEYY BABYY a year before.
Why couldn't you adjust the dates?
That was next to impossible. Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan and Riteish Deshmukh were not free for a long time after that, and I surely cannot compel them.
You refused Sudhir Mishra too when he offered you to play the lead in KHOYYA KHOYYA CHAND (that role has been done by Soha Ali Khan)?
I had a few questions on the role.
Sudhir didn't take it well?
That's right. But I hope that he understands one day. There was no personal agenda. An actor does have queries sometimes.
On Shaji Karun's SURYAMUKHI, which you didn't accept?
I loved that role and wanted to do it. But the film got delayed. When they finally decided to start shooting, I was leaving for Jaipur for BHOOL BHULAIYA shoot. That's the only reason. Surely, I can't be in two different cities at the same time.
