Vidya Balan

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

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.