Showing posts with label Vidya Balan pregnant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vidya Balan pregnant. Show all posts
No one asks a man when he is impregnating his wife-Vidya Balan
8:48 AM
Sarah Salvadore and Karthik Pasupulate (BOMBAY TIMES; June 22, 2014)
Vidya, the last film you shot in Hyderabad (The Dirty Picture) was a
hit at the box office. Now, you've shot Bobby Jasoos in Hyderabad as
well. Will the city prove to be lucky for you again?
Inshallah! Hyderabad has been lucky for me. The Dirty Picture has been a film that changed my life, but as an actor, I'd like to say that Bobby Jasoos has been my most precious experience. And I've been saying this from the time we started shooting.
What are your most memorable experiences of memorable experiences of shooting for Bobby Jasoos?
My first day of shoot was something I will never forget... I was shooting out side Nampally railway station, where I was disguised as a beggar. I kept putting my hand out and saying, Allah ke naam pe kuch de de baba'... but no one seemed to be giving me anything. So, I caught hold of one woman who was passing by and tugged at her hand, asking her to give me something. She was in a hurry, but she turned around, looked at me and said, 'You look absolutely able-bodied, why don't you do some work?' It was amazing that she just didn't recognise me! I actually took that as a compliment. Later, this beggar picture was splashed across all media.
When my father saw it, he called me and said, 'What are you doing in Hyderabad?' I was sitting with real beggars on the streets and they got really upset, because they have areas and they felt another beggar has come into their area. The assistant director was in a burqa and she told them, we don't want any money, we are just shooting with cameras on the opposite side. We had to assure them that we weren't there for the money!
So, even the beggars you shot with couldn't make out that you are a woman in disguise?
All thanks to the two make-up artistes and the costume designer. They put in a lot of effort. Some of the looks needed to be close to the way Bobby looked, but some needed to look drastically different. That's when the male disguises came in - the beggar look is just one of the 12 looks in the film. So, I just had to sit there and get ready. But my voice and body language changed according to each disguise - for an actor, it's a great challenge and opportunity. Even before I said yes to Bobby Jasoos, I spent a lot of time with Samar and Samyukta. I like getting into the skin of the character and tried picking up little nuances of the character. For instance, I remember learning how to do the namaz even though it's not a big part of the film.
The film we hear has a lot of Hyderabadi lingo... how did you manage?
Yes. We had a coach from Hyderabad, Abbas Mallik sahib and he really trained us in the Hyderabadi diction. It's simple and beautiful, but it's confusing because in Bambaiyya Hindi you say 'tere ko, mere ko'. But in Hyderabadi, you say, 'tere ku, mere ku'. So small differences but that would confuse us a bit. But after that, all of us would be speaking in Hyderabadi Hindi. In fact, when I came back to Mumbai for the New Year and I was at a dinner, I wasn't completing my sentences, because Hyderabadis don't say 'hai'. Everything is 'ho ra, jaa ra, khoobsurat lagti'. So I was getting strange looks from people, thinking what's happening!
Ali: But it's great you know when you say 'ho ra' and people ask `kya ho ra' (laugh). Kahan toh bhi aa gaye...
Ali, what was it like to work with 'the' Vidya Balan?
Ali: (Laughs) I don't know, Vidya, you tell me?
Vidya: Well, we all became friends at the workshop. Aakash Dahiya, an actor, who conducted the workshop made us play games, do theatre exercises, discuss our characters and talk about our lives. By the end of it, Ali, Binaf (Patel) and I didn't want to leave! People had to tell us that the workshop is over and you can go home now. So we enjoyed ourselves a lot and that helped during the shoot. Usually, you start working together and then the ice breaking takes sometime, but here we were already friends, back-slapping each other.
Ali: Both of us (Vidya and I) are terrified of dancing, so we bonded over that.
Vidya: You know, I'm not much of a dancer, and Ali says he's not much of a dancer. But he is a liar because I discovered later that he is amazing.
Ali: Listen, all I do is play guitar on screen! Even in Fukrey, I did that. Thank God, I got rid of that with this film. But yes, we bonded over our dancing skills, or lack of it rather!
Vidya: We were nervous as hell. But Brinda, our choreographer, who is from the South, she really choreographed the songs according to our natural style and comfort level. I really think I enjoyed dancing in the film and I think Ali danced fabulously.
Most detectives on screen have traditionally been men - be it Sherlock Holmes, Karamchand, Byomkesh Bakshi...
Vidya: Well, that's all about to change now! There is no conscious effort at bringing about that change, but I'm going to make a slightly tricky comment here; women are just better at being detectives because our instincts are sharper (laughs).
Ali: I agree! The past few months of working with Bobby Jasoos proved that women are way sharper when it comes to jaasoosi! (laughs) Vidya, who would you use your spying skills on?
Vidya: I have tried spying on Ali for the longest time to find out if he has a girlfriend (laughs)! As people, we are all interested in each other's lives and I too do my bit of spying. But I would spare my husband. I don't spy on Siddharth (laughs).
Vidya, talking of spying, there has been a lot of spying on your personal life of late...
I've accepted it as a given because I am a public figure. I know people are interested and speculate and it's all part of the territory. I don't have a problem with that. But there was this one instance when I thought the lines of decency got blurred. Recently, I got a little upset because of the pregnancy rumours doing the rounds - every other month there would be new stories of me being pregnant.
Are people a lot more intrusive when it comes to the personal lives of female actors?
Yes, that's right! No one asks a man when he is impregnating his wife! I'm fed up because for 10 months, rumours of my pregnancy have been doing the rounds. I've been joking with people saying the next time I plan to get pregnant, I'll invite you! What else do you say? (laughs) I think sense of humour helps me deal with such things. I usually don't know what's being said about me, except in instances like this.
There have been rumours about all not being well with your marriage as well...
The pregnancy rumours I didn't care about because people would know the truth anyway. But this marriage bit irritated me. It was the only time in my nine-year-long career that some thing irritated me so much. I raved and ranted at home. My family and Siddharth helped calm me down. They said, 'We know the truth, so how does it matter...' But I just thought that my husband is not an actor and it's unfair to him to be speculated about. Especially when there is absolutely no basis for the rumour. I'm used to people saying things about me, but it's unfair to drag him in.
So how is Vidya, the wife?
Oh, my God! You have to ask the husband that (laughs).
How is Siddharth, the husband?
He's been my only experience, so I have no one else to compare him to (laughs). But so far, so good.
Siddharth, the boyfriend vs Siddharth, the husband?
I think not very different. He is probably more indulgent as a husband.
Vidya, people count you among the Khans and look to you to carry a film on your shoulders. Do you think the gender lines at the box office have been blurred?
Well, when people say that I take it as a compliment. But I'm a Balan and I'm happy being one. I don't think gender lines are blurring. But I think there are better opportunities for female actors. Better scripts, etc. This year itself, there have been so many women-centric films and each one of them has been different from the other. So the scope is widening. But I think it'll take a long time for us to confidently say the lines are blurring.
We are taking baby steps.
Inshallah! Hyderabad has been lucky for me. The Dirty Picture has been a film that changed my life, but as an actor, I'd like to say that Bobby Jasoos has been my most precious experience. And I've been saying this from the time we started shooting.
What are your most memorable experiences of memorable experiences of shooting for Bobby Jasoos?
My first day of shoot was something I will never forget... I was shooting out side Nampally railway station, where I was disguised as a beggar. I kept putting my hand out and saying, Allah ke naam pe kuch de de baba'... but no one seemed to be giving me anything. So, I caught hold of one woman who was passing by and tugged at her hand, asking her to give me something. She was in a hurry, but she turned around, looked at me and said, 'You look absolutely able-bodied, why don't you do some work?' It was amazing that she just didn't recognise me! I actually took that as a compliment. Later, this beggar picture was splashed across all media.
When my father saw it, he called me and said, 'What are you doing in Hyderabad?' I was sitting with real beggars on the streets and they got really upset, because they have areas and they felt another beggar has come into their area. The assistant director was in a burqa and she told them, we don't want any money, we are just shooting with cameras on the opposite side. We had to assure them that we weren't there for the money!
So, even the beggars you shot with couldn't make out that you are a woman in disguise?
All thanks to the two make-up artistes and the costume designer. They put in a lot of effort. Some of the looks needed to be close to the way Bobby looked, but some needed to look drastically different. That's when the male disguises came in - the beggar look is just one of the 12 looks in the film. So, I just had to sit there and get ready. But my voice and body language changed according to each disguise - for an actor, it's a great challenge and opportunity. Even before I said yes to Bobby Jasoos, I spent a lot of time with Samar and Samyukta. I like getting into the skin of the character and tried picking up little nuances of the character. For instance, I remember learning how to do the namaz even though it's not a big part of the film.
The film we hear has a lot of Hyderabadi lingo... how did you manage?
Yes. We had a coach from Hyderabad, Abbas Mallik sahib and he really trained us in the Hyderabadi diction. It's simple and beautiful, but it's confusing because in Bambaiyya Hindi you say 'tere ko, mere ko'. But in Hyderabadi, you say, 'tere ku, mere ku'. So small differences but that would confuse us a bit. But after that, all of us would be speaking in Hyderabadi Hindi. In fact, when I came back to Mumbai for the New Year and I was at a dinner, I wasn't completing my sentences, because Hyderabadis don't say 'hai'. Everything is 'ho ra, jaa ra, khoobsurat lagti'. So I was getting strange looks from people, thinking what's happening!
Ali: But it's great you know when you say 'ho ra' and people ask `kya ho ra' (laugh). Kahan toh bhi aa gaye...
Ali, what was it like to work with 'the' Vidya Balan?
Ali: (Laughs) I don't know, Vidya, you tell me?
Vidya: Well, we all became friends at the workshop. Aakash Dahiya, an actor, who conducted the workshop made us play games, do theatre exercises, discuss our characters and talk about our lives. By the end of it, Ali, Binaf (Patel) and I didn't want to leave! People had to tell us that the workshop is over and you can go home now. So we enjoyed ourselves a lot and that helped during the shoot. Usually, you start working together and then the ice breaking takes sometime, but here we were already friends, back-slapping each other.
Ali: Both of us (Vidya and I) are terrified of dancing, so we bonded over that.
Vidya: You know, I'm not much of a dancer, and Ali says he's not much of a dancer. But he is a liar because I discovered later that he is amazing.
Ali: Listen, all I do is play guitar on screen! Even in Fukrey, I did that. Thank God, I got rid of that with this film. But yes, we bonded over our dancing skills, or lack of it rather!
Vidya: We were nervous as hell. But Brinda, our choreographer, who is from the South, she really choreographed the songs according to our natural style and comfort level. I really think I enjoyed dancing in the film and I think Ali danced fabulously.
Most detectives on screen have traditionally been men - be it Sherlock Holmes, Karamchand, Byomkesh Bakshi...
Vidya: Well, that's all about to change now! There is no conscious effort at bringing about that change, but I'm going to make a slightly tricky comment here; women are just better at being detectives because our instincts are sharper (laughs).
Ali: I agree! The past few months of working with Bobby Jasoos proved that women are way sharper when it comes to jaasoosi! (laughs) Vidya, who would you use your spying skills on?
Vidya: I have tried spying on Ali for the longest time to find out if he has a girlfriend (laughs)! As people, we are all interested in each other's lives and I too do my bit of spying. But I would spare my husband. I don't spy on Siddharth (laughs).
Vidya, talking of spying, there has been a lot of spying on your personal life of late...
I've accepted it as a given because I am a public figure. I know people are interested and speculate and it's all part of the territory. I don't have a problem with that. But there was this one instance when I thought the lines of decency got blurred. Recently, I got a little upset because of the pregnancy rumours doing the rounds - every other month there would be new stories of me being pregnant.
Are people a lot more intrusive when it comes to the personal lives of female actors?
Yes, that's right! No one asks a man when he is impregnating his wife! I'm fed up because for 10 months, rumours of my pregnancy have been doing the rounds. I've been joking with people saying the next time I plan to get pregnant, I'll invite you! What else do you say? (laughs) I think sense of humour helps me deal with such things. I usually don't know what's being said about me, except in instances like this.
There have been rumours about all not being well with your marriage as well...
The pregnancy rumours I didn't care about because people would know the truth anyway. But this marriage bit irritated me. It was the only time in my nine-year-long career that some thing irritated me so much. I raved and ranted at home. My family and Siddharth helped calm me down. They said, 'We know the truth, so how does it matter...' But I just thought that my husband is not an actor and it's unfair to him to be speculated about. Especially when there is absolutely no basis for the rumour. I'm used to people saying things about me, but it's unfair to drag him in.
So how is Vidya, the wife?
Oh, my God! You have to ask the husband that (laughs).
How is Siddharth, the husband?
He's been my only experience, so I have no one else to compare him to (laughs). But so far, so good.
Siddharth, the boyfriend vs Siddharth, the husband?
I think not very different. He is probably more indulgent as a husband.
Vidya, people count you among the Khans and look to you to carry a film on your shoulders. Do you think the gender lines at the box office have been blurred?
Well, when people say that I take it as a compliment. But I'm a Balan and I'm happy being one. I don't think gender lines are blurring. But I think there are better opportunities for female actors. Better scripts, etc. This year itself, there have been so many women-centric films and each one of them has been different from the other. So the scope is widening. But I think it'll take a long time for us to confidently say the lines are blurring.
We are taking baby steps.
I want to spy on Amitabh Bachchan and Narenra Modi-Vidya Balan
9:26 AM
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; June 18, 2014)
She is dogged by all kinds of rumours in the recent past. But seemingly unaffected by it all, Vidya Balan is all smiles and upbeat as she candidly talks about her life, films and her secret desires...
Why do you think, all of a sudden, there are so many detective-based films?
I think it’s because of the scams happening in the country. Along with scams, There are so many extra-martial affairs going on, so people need jasoos to handle things (smiles).
What was your first reaction when you were approached for Bobby Jasoos?
When Atul (Kasbekar) called me and told me that he wants to offer a film called Bobby Jasoos, I thought they want me to play a kitty kind of character (Kitty was the assistant of the famous TV detective Karamchand) I didn’t want to do that I was like what if I don’t like it, how do I say no to Dia (Mirza). Only when they told me Bobby is a female detective, that I got excited and the script got me more excited. I totally fell in love with it.
You go out of your way to choose ‘different’ roles...
This has been one of the most exciting experiences for me as an actor. Firstly, I have not played a character like this but the fact that she’s childlike appealed to me. The enthusiasm in her is of a different level. She’s not someone who likes to cry. She’s a happy person and she loves to smile. She’s very spunky, a livewire. She is a girl from Hyderabad.
If you were a detective, who’d like to spy on?
The first on my list would be Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan because I think as an audience we all know his mannerism and yet there’s so much we don’t know about him. Secondly, I would like to do jasoosi on Narendra Modi to know what are his plans for the country. I want to know before everyone does so that I can tell everyone first. Oh, I’d spy on religious gurus too who fool people in the name of religion.
Given the recent rumours of you being pregnant, do you think there should be a pregnancy clause in the industry?
I am all in for the pregnancy clause. I don’t think its wrong at all because if you committed to something, it’s not the kind of job that you can continue to do even when you are pregnant. This a visual medium and your altered appearance becomes obvious on the screen. I am very cognizant of that so I would never get pregnant if I have committed to a film and if I want to get pregnant, I would not do a film. Simple. I think it’s fair because there’s lots that ride on a film and as a complete professional I would respect that.
And what do you have to say about the rumours?
If this was true then you would have been able to see it. There were rumours because I was not keeping well, so people started saying ‘ pregnant hogi’. The day I get pregnant, everyone will get to know about it. We (husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and her) will always want to share our joy with everyone.
Recently there have been a spate of rumours about your personal life...
I am a public figure and people are interested in me. People tend to speculate and sometimes it goes overboard and I do feel bad about it. There are days when I get upset about this but those days are very few. Most of the time I just laugh it out. I am used to it now.
Vidya Balan to now skip the Indian film festival of Melbourne?
7:56 AM
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 30, 2014)
Vidya Balan’s last- minute no- show at IIFA Awards 2014 in the US — apparently due to her ill- health — has now put a question mark on her presence in Australia for a film festival. The actress has been the ambassador of the annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne since its inception in 2012. The festival will be held from May 1-11.
Says a source, “There were pregnancy rumours recently after she turned down Sujoy Ghosh’s film, but Vidya quelled these rumours by denying that she was pregnant. In March this year, she even travelled to the US for intercity promotions of the event. Strangely though, just days before the ceremony in Florida, she pulled out citing health reasons.”
Adds the source, “It appears that Vidya is skipping Melbourne for the festival as well due to health reasons.” B-Town folk expected to attend the festival in Melbourne include Amitabh Bachchan, Konkana Sensharma, Malaika Arora Khan and filmmakers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Vijaykrishna Acharya.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a Victorian government initiative to strengthen ties between the Indian film industry and Victoria.
A spokesperson of the Mumbai representative of the festival says, “Vidya is already back from the festival. She had gone to Melbourne for the launch of it in March. The festival will be opened by Amitabh Bachchan.”
Interestingly, Vidya Balan had attended the festival in 2012 and 2013 which also had several Bollywood folk in attendance. Vidya remained unavailable for comment.
I'll have a baby but not so soon; not ready for motherhood yet-Vidya Balan
8:04 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 29, 2014)
Recently, there have been too many speculations about Vidya Balan. We decided to catch up with her at her Juhu house. The actress answered the questions without batting an eyelid. Excerpts from the conversation:
You were the brand ambassador for IIFA Awards 2014 in Florida but didn't go for it. What happened?
For the past few months, I am having niggling health issues that I'm trying to sort out. I've been travelling a lot over the last few months and another long distance trip would have been exhausting.
You also surprised everyone by opting out of Sujoy Ghosh's next, Durga Rani Singh...
It was not an easy decision. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, I couldn't believe what I was saying. But I had a valid reason. In our industry, health is the last priority but I couldn't afford to neglect mine any further. If Mohit Suri's Hamari Adhuri Kahani had started in March according to the original schedule, I would have opted out of that film too.
Will Kangana Ranaut, who has replaced you in the film, do justice to the role?
Who am I to decide that? Kangana is a good actress. And Sujoy is a wonderful director, he will make a nice film.
Are you definitely doing Hamari Adhuri Kahani?
Absolutely. We plan to roll in October/November. I am really excited about doing a film for which Mahesh Bhatt has written a script after 14 years.
Let me ask this straight: Are you pregnant?
I'm fed up of these rumours. These days people look at my stomach when they talk to me. Why are actors and actresses treated differently in this industry? Recently, a young actress did something to look different and she was castigated. Haven't male actors got cosmetic jobs done? Inshallah, I will have a baby-but not so soon. I'm not mentally ready for motherhood yet. It's a daunting task to be responsible for another human being.
But you are in your 30s...
Motherhood has nothing to do with age. This is a predicament most working women face today since they are getting married in their 30s. Many of my friends have told me that it's fulfilling to wake up in the morning and look at your baby, clean him/her up--but it's all so consuming. This would leave you with little energy for anything else. I don't know how I'll deal with that.
Has life changed after marriage?
(Smiles) I go to my parents' house everyday and I'm back by dinnertime to be with Siddharth. I am enjoying the best of both the worlds. My sister, her husband and their kids have shifted to Khar. The kids are so fascinating. But as I said, I am not mentally ready to have my own kids yet. Give me some time, please.
The interview will be incomplete without asking you how you felt when your last two films, Ghanchakkar and Shaadi Ke Side Effects, failed...
I was very disappointed, I kept trying to figure out why they didn't click but I couldn't. Lesson learnt: There is no formula for success in movies.
Vidya Balan not pregnant, but just taking a break for a couple of months
8:06 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2014)
We were surprised when we learnt of Vidya Balan having opted out of Sujoy Ghosh’s next edge-of-the-seat thriller Durga Rani Singh as we all know how professional Vidya is. While we had earlier reported that Vidya’s reason for not doing the film is her pregnancy, Vidya clarified to us that her not doing the film had nothing to do with pregnancy as she is not pregnant yet. Ever since she got married to head honcho Siddharth Roy Kapur, she had not taken a break and so she has decided to give herself a couple of months to just holiday and look after her house. Knowing fully well that Sujoy would be paranoid knowing that Vidya was no longer in the film, as they share a great personal and professional rapport, she, in fact, picked up the phone and recommended Kangana Ranaut to him as she simply loved her performance in Queen. Vidya is still committed to her next project Hamari Adhuri Kahani, which will be directed by Mohit Suri and has Emraan Hashmi in the lead with her. She is currently holidaying in the US with her husband. We hope she enjoys these next couple of months just playing herself at home.
Should no-pregnancy clause be included in an actress’ contract?
7:57 AM
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; March 19, 2014)
The buzz has it that Vidya Balan has been replaced by Kangna Ranaut in Sujoy Ghosh’s next film that is ready to go on the floors. Balan’s favourite director apparently finalised another name for the film due to her pregnancy.
While there is no confirmation yet about this, an actress letting go of projects due to pregnancy is not exactly new in Bollywood. It maybe noted here that Kareena Kapoor replaced Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan in the film, Heroine, after director Madhur Bhandarkar learnt that Rai-Bachchan was pregnant.
Interestingly, in a recent interview to hitlist, Vidya had said, “I have signed contracts which specify that I can’t get pregnant for the next two years.” But with recent media reports stating otherwise, the no pregnancy clause has come under the spotlight again.
Mukesh Bhatt, who is producing Hamari Adhuri Kahani starring Vidya Balan and Emran Hashmi, says, “It is mandatory to have a no pregnancy clause as the actress needs to show her commitment towards a project. It is a healthy clause and is needed in today’s times.” Bhatt’s film is supposed to go the floors soon. But now with reports of Balan’s alleged pregnancy, the fate of the film is uncertain. He says that he had met the actress just before she left for the US and will be meeting her once she returns to India next week. “I don’t think Vidya is pregnant. She would’ve told us if she was expecting.I have complete faith in her; she will not keep anyone in the dark. And even if she is pregnant, I am happy for her.”
Given that a lot of money is riding on films — as also the fact that they are all being made in a stipulated period of time — the stakes today are higher than in the earlier days, says Hema Malini. The actress, who was pregnant during the making of Satte Pe Satta, says, “Back then, film shoots would go on endlessly and it was not always possible for an artiste to wait for the producer to finish shooting. Today the no pregnancy clause should be made mandatory, but only for a certain time period, say a maximum of six months. If the artiste gets pregnant before the film goes on the floors, she should inform the producer. But if the film gets delayed for other reasons, then it’s wrong to expect the actress to wait. She can’t be held responsible in such a situation.”
Some more industry people are
drumming up support for the clause. When Aishwarya was replaced by
Kareena in Heroine, actress and activist Shabana Azmi had tweeted, “Insurance companies in Hollywood insist on many clauses, including no-
pregnancy to safeguard their huge monetary investments It’s not
sexist at all.”Madhur Bhandarkar, who allegedly incurred losses to the tune of Rs 4 crore when he realised that Aishwarya wouldn’t be able to do the film due to her pregnancy, had vented his frustration to hitlist, “The entire event would not have taken place if the actress would have informed the state of her health … an impending maternity. The truth was hidden from us.” Indeed, when a huge sum is invested in pre-production — which includes workshops and developing the heroine’s look — a pregnancy can put a spanner in the works. But interpersonal relationships are equally important say some industry insiders.
For instance, producer Ramesh Taurani says that in Bollywood, work is centred around the rapport between the concerned people, and contracts are secondary. He says that it’s alright for an actress to give importance to her personal life. “At the end of the day, it is just about a film and I don’t think it’s a big deal. If a film hasn’t gone on the floors, the question of monetary loss does not arise at all.”
It may be pointed out here that Kareena Kapoor, who walked out of
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela soon after her marriage, allegedly prompted filmmaker Sanjay
Leela Bhansali to say that he didn’t want a married heroine to play
Juliet in the film.Kareena makes a valid point: “We are constantly trying to ape the West. If we want the no pregnancy clause to be included in the contract, then actors here should be insured just like they are in Hollywood.”
Lawyer Ameet Naik, a legal consultant to many producers, says that a no pregnancy clause is a must. “The idea is to secure the producer for making a significant investment for his film’s production. The lead actress of a film conceiving during the filming schedule can cause irreparable damage to all stakeholders of the film. Also, there is no insurance cover for such a contingency.”
After 12 years of marriage, Juhi Chawla continues to work in Bollywood, and she is yet to see such a clause. “Today’s world is contract driven. Soon they may have to be signed by all newly married actresses.”
Kangana Ranaut replaces pregnant Vidya Balan in Durga Rani Singh
8:01 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 18, 2014)
We
were the first to tell you that Sujoy Ghosh was making his next
edge-of-the-seat thriller once again with the powerhouse performer Vidya
Balan, along with Irrfan. But we have now learnt from sources that
Vidya is on her way to becoming
a mother and had to thus drop out of the film leaving her friend with
the most formidable task of finding an actress, who could match Vidya’s
acting skills. We are delighted to know that Sujoy has finalised
Kangana Ranaut, who has proven that she is a stupendous actress post Queen, and
would have been an obvious choice for any director searching for
high-quality acting skills. Further, what was uncanny was the title of
the film Durga Rani Singh. Kangana’s name in Queen is Rani, her upcoming
film is titled Revolver Rani and now she will be a part of Durga Rani
Singh. Looks like Kangana for sure has some past lucky connection with
some Rani. Well whatever be the connection, we wish both Vidya and
Kangana the very best and eagerly await both, the baby and the film. Vidya Balan to back out of Sujoy Ghosh's film as she needs time for herself?
7:53 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 14, 2014)
Since Thursday, the Bollywood grapevine has been abuzz with whispers that Vidya Balan has pulled out of both the films she had in her kitty- Sujoy Ghosh’s next costarring Irrfan Khan and Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani with Emraan Hashmi and Rajkummar Rao. Her last two films, Ghanchakkar and Shaadi Ke Side Effects, did not live up to the expectations and rumour has it that the actress wants to evaluate her future plans.
When contacted, Mahesh Bhatt, the producer of Suri's film, told Mirror, “As far as Hamari Adhuri Kahani is concerned, Vidya is still on board. She asked for the details before she left for the US. Why would she make inquiries if she didn’t want to do my film?”
But a close friend of Vidya spilled the beans. “Vidya may do the film with the Bhatts as it has been pushed back because of Emraan’s son’s health issue. But she is definitely taking a break.”
The first collateral damage of Vidya’s decision is Sujoy Ghosh’s next. Ghosh, who was scheduled to roll with the film in May, is obviously not a happy man.“Vidya has told him that he can go ahead with another actress, but Sujoy says that he will wait for her. But, that will of course leave Irrfan with a gaping hole in his date diary in May,” said the source.
So, why the sabbatical? “She’s exhausted after back-to-back shoots and promotions for both films. She wants to do only endorsements for a while,” revealed the source.
An equally strong rumour doing the rounds is that Vidya is pregnant. The actress who has put on a few kilos recently had denied it and the friend maintained that she is not in the family way.
Vidya will next be seen playing a detective in Bobby Jassos.
Both Vidya and Sujoy remained unavailable for comment.
A married actress is hotter because she's like the forbidden fruit-Vidya Balan
8:10 AM
Roshni K Olivera & Seema Sinha (BOMBAY TIMES; February 14, 2014)
Vidya Balan married corporate honcho-producer, Siddharth Roy Kapur, a year ago, so who better than her to talk about shaadi ke side effects? Excerpts from a fun conversation with the chirpy actress, who visited the Bombay Times office on Wednesday...
Tell us about your shaadi ke side effects.
It’s all good. Marriage is something I’d recommend everyone to try if you find the right person, of course. I’m enjoying being married. Just living with Siddharth is fun. We sometimes feel like flatmates because we are in and out. We have not had that much time together, therefore I still feel like we are honeymooning... without the guilt!
No negative side effects?
I had been warned that a lot of changes happen after marriage and I kept waiting, thinking it’s just one month so maybe it’s too early for the changes to surface. Then I said it’s two months, then six months and after that, it’s been 14 months and nothing has changed. He’s the same person and I’m not bipolar, so he didn’t come in for any surprises either! Someone asked me if he is my best friend and I said, ‘Yeah, maybe a best friend with benefits’. He’s going to kill me for this! But, yes, it is wonderful to be able to say anything (and I really can say anything!) and he’s very accepting and non-judgmental. What has changed post marriage is that I now know aate-dal ka bhav, but please don’t ask me. I know that onion prices have dropped.
How would you rate yourself as a wife?
If it’s the stereotypical wife, I don’t rate at all. If it’s just a partner, then I’ll go to the other extreme, be immodest and say 11 on 10.
So, you are not a nag?
Not at all! I’m someone who believes in ‘live and let live’ and that applies to everything. I think I really lucked out because we are similar in a lot of ways. Like, you’ll never see our house out of order because we are both minimalists and we are both very organised.
If you are expected to do an intimate scene in a film, would you discuss it with Siddharth first?
Siddharth and I respect each other’s professional space and decisions. Of course, as a partner, I would tell him that there’s something like that, but there has not been an opportunity yet. It’s like I’d tell my parents myself rather than them seeing it in a film. All said and done, it can’t be comfortable for your family or your partner to see you like that and I understand and appreciate that. So, I would definitely tell him, but so far there has been no opportunity... shit!
Have your equations with your co-stars and colleagues changed now that you are married to a corporate honcho?
I don’t think so. At least, I have not noticed anything, but there are some people who he has a good equation with and who I didn’t know earlier but I do now, thanks to him.
Did you have any expectations before marriage about how your partner should be?
I didn’t set out to find Siddharth or anyone for that matter, and I think that’s when it happened. Until I was looking, I was only looking in the wrong direction and when I stopped looking, he literally walked into my life. So, that’s it. When you don’t have expectations of how you want your partner to be, you just let each other be. I’m someone who is really finicky about my things and I found someone who’s like me. Just that he’s finicky in a relaxed manner, I’m not that relaxed.
You just said you were looking in the wrong direction. What did you mean?
Where you shouldn’t be looking! Seriously, I had never seen myself as married. It was only after I met Siddharth that I felt that way. Earlier, I kept thinking that I’d never feel what everyone says one feels when you meet your soulmate. I don’t know about soulmate because I’m not sure I believe in that. But when it came to Siddharth, I just knew that I was going to be with him forever, or at least that was the intention.
Does marriage affect an actress’s prospects at the box office?
I don’t think so. The way the world is going now, a woman is hotter after marriage to men. They like the forbidden fruit even more now. If you are playing a 16-year-old at 30, then it might be a problem, but if you are not, it’s fine.
You’ve done serious films like Kahaani and also light-hearted films like Shaadi Ke Side Effects. What do you enjoy better?
Both, and they are different. Like in Shaadi Ke Side Effects, it’s real, relatable; it could be about you, about people you know. It has been a very breezy experience as actors. We were allowed to play it out the way we wanted to, by the director Saket Chaudhary. That, for an actor, is such a joyous experience! We had a lot of fun except when there were babies and we couldn’t make noise then.
Talking about babies, what about rumours of you being pregnant?
I’m not pregnant. I’d have to meet Siddharth to get pregnant! (Laughs) Jokes apart, I’m not yet ready to share Siddharth. Besides, I’m committed through this year, so motherhood will have to wait.
After bagging the best actress award for three years, did you miss not getting an award this year?No. I’m happy to be applauded, but I’m also happy to applaud other people’s performances and there’s a lot of great work happening. I had only one release last year and the film didn’t do too well and that’s fine. The only thing is that I couldn’t go to the award functions as I was busy shooting for Bobby Jasoos.
Some felt that Priyanka Chopra should have got the award last year for Barfi.
Priyanka did a wonderful job and there will always be different opinions. I’m not a martyr... I am happy that I won the award.
Given
that in the last few years, roles have been written for you, do you
think you are now competing with the heroes? Even on Koffee With Karan when he asks his guests to rate actresses, there’s Kareena, Priyanka, Katrina, but you are never on that list...Do you know I have never been on any list? And I’m quite good with that because I have never understood this up and down of one year being No.1 and something else the next year. I don’t think my competition is with the heroes. I don’t think I’m competing with anyone. I don’t mean to sound Zen, but genuinely, when I stopped competing with anything is when I started enjoying my work and that brought out the best in me. I'm living in a universe of my own and I’m enjoying that. I love to appreciate other people’s work. For example, Deepika (Padukone) is doing wonderfully now and I’m really enjoying her work. I think there are lots of stars in the sky and there’s space for each one of us.
You haven’t worked with any of the three Khans... ever wondered why?They haven’t worked with me either. I have never been offered a film with any of the three Khans. Initially, I used to wonder why, but now I don’t. Someone will have to think of a really exceptional script. Also, I’m enjoying the kind of work I am doing. Invariably, when you have these superstars, it becomes difficult to justify anyone else’s presence. In recent times, I can only think of Deepika, who was fabulous in Chennai Express. She got that kind of a role but she more than justified it.
Earlier, all the girls just wanted to work with the Khans, but that has changed now...
I can’t talk for other girls. There are only three of them (Khans) and there are so many girls. So, I guess you realise that doing good work is important and you can’t just wait for that. Good work can happen anywhere.
After The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, you were called the fourth Khan...
While that’s very flattering, I will also say that I’m not happy being one among four!
You are very comfortable in your own skin today...
Most people have heard me say this that I lost my bearings for a while because I was trying desperately to fit in. I have always been me, but at that time, I was being pressurised to be a certain way and I did try hard. But I was getting slapped around left, right and centre. Then, in 2008, I reclaimed myself. I felt no one seems to be happy with me, so let me at least do what makes me happy. It wasn’t a moment’s decision; it took me weeks and months after talking to myself and my family. After that happened, people began to reclaim me too. I was just being myself and they liked what I was in the first place.
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