Vidya Balan, who has more often than not sported Indian apparel at a time when most shied away from it, is credited with making the sari a fashion statement. No wonder then, Madhya Pradesh board approached the actress to be brand ambassador for handlooms in the state. Says a source, “Vidya, who had visited Madhya Pradesh recently to promote her film Humari Adhuri Kahani, was approached by the cultural ministry of the state to grace their prestigious exhibition to be held in Mumbai promoting Crafts and Weaves from remote areas of the state including traditional Chanderi, Maheshwari, silk sarees, dress material, jewellery and khadi products among several others.The MP board later approached her to be ambassador for MP handlooms not only because of her interest in these traditional handlooms, but because she popularised the saree and brought it back in vogue.”