Vidya Balan Impressed with Manushi Chhillar’s Winning Reply

Vidya Balan is ecstatic about Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar's answer in the final question-answer round at the Miss World contest in China. 

"Manushi's answer underlined what we were trying to say in my recent film. People have acknowledged that a mother and homemaker's contribution is always undervalued and it has diminished further after women started stepping out to earn," says Vidya,

She added further, "People only value what they pay for. If they started paying a mother a salary, the family would go bankrupt. Manushi's answer was bang on. It's not the cash; it's the respect and love you must show towards the mother for what she does silently, every single day. Universally, the energies are coming together. Maybe, mothers and homemakers will get their dues now."

Tete-a-Tete With Vidya Balan on Tumhari Sulu

Settled in a cozy white cabin on a hot Wednesday afternoon in Mumbai, Vidya Balan is like her character in her new film, Tumhari Sulu - warm, fun, happy and carefree.

The actress sips water from her mason jar as she complains about the heat in the city.

With an infectious smile, she candidy discusses her film .

You said Tumhari Sulu is a breezy film and you were dying to shoot it. How was the experience?

It was exceptional.

Firstly, because of her character, I identify with her a lot. I am just like her - restless and waiting to try out new things, to move on, get ahead, looking for reasons to smile, laugh.

She laughs at herself and at others. I could identify with that trait.

She is one of those who will say, 'Main kar sakti hoon' (I can do it).

She is happy being a homemaker but she also wants to try different things. It was so refreshing because my past few films have been serious.

It was all in the script and (director) Suresh Triveni has done a marvellous job. He brought the character alive.

Working under his direction was an amazing experience. Every unit member was invested in this film because Suresh kept the environment like that.

Since Sulu's character is relatable. Is that one of the reasons why you signed up for this film?

With every character, I need a point of identification. Only then I can play her.

I found Sulu very relatable because I come from a middle class family. I know what it is like when you are happy with what you have.

I have grown up with my family in Chembur (in suburban Mumbai). It wasn't like we had to travel abroad, have cars; we were absolutely content with whatever we had.

It never struck me that I should move out of that place.

I love that bit about Sulu. She is not a housewife who is bogged down by responsibilities, family or is lonely. She has a zest for life. Sulu is an enthu cutlet!

What is the most interesting thing about Sulu?

You think of her as someone who is sexy, sultry and intimate, especially since she is an RJ. You imagine her a certain way.

You don't imagine her to be someone clad in a sari; even if she is in a sari, you think of her wearing a low-cut blouse, with her hair blowing in the breeze. But she is not sexualized that way (laughs).

Does being sexy come naturally to you?

As a matter of fact, I thought we would shoot and then Suresh would get the sensual bits dubbed later.

But he was shocked that I even asked him about that.

I told him, 'You want it to sound sexy, na?'

So he asked, 'Did you hear yourself?'

I was like, 'Really...?'

It was kind of effortless. I didn't think about anything. I just tried talking in a slightly husky tone.

How was it working with Manav Kaul?

Incredible!

I had seen him in Kai Po Che and felt he was amazing.

But I didn't interact with him. I met him for the first time during the film. He was chilled out. The minute we met, the ice broke.

There was a certain trust. We weren't in competition and we weren't insecure. He wasn't insecure that the film was called Tumhari Sulu.

Your last release Begum Jaan did not do well. Were you disappointed?

It's always disappointing.

But thankfully, this time, it didn't feel it much because the movie released on April 13 and, the next day, I had to start my sittings for Tumhari Sulu. We began shooting the film on April 26. So there was no time to think.

I thought to myself that I should always do this. On the day one of my films release, I should start the prep for my next movie (laughs).

I always hope the films do well though I don't have a figure in my head.

Do you agree that content is king?

Content isn't the king, it's the queen!

I feel very, very blessed about the audience's love and expectations from me.

Today, more than ever, there is no one type of a film working. You have Judwaa 2 andGolmaal Again on one side and you have Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Bareilly Ki Barfi on the other. Then, you have Newton and Lipstick Under My Burkha as well. All the films are completely different.

People aren't saying they will watch only this genre or actor. They are demanding good content.

Do you believe that promotions help in bringing in the audiences?

Actually, promotions don't bring in audiences.

People watch the trailer and decide if they want to watch the film. Promotions are a way of hammering into people's minds that we are coming on so and so date. This is so that, if they like the trailer, then they will land up in the theatre.

I don't think promotions serve any other purpose and people are understanding it slowly.

I enjoy promoting a film but we should stop doing it. It has become too much. It is the same thing over and over again.

I feel you don't need to promote anymore films today. Doing 20 interviews and talking about my character isn't exciting. During Lage Raho Munnabhai, getting a Sanjay Dutt talk about his character was a big thing. Now, we are everywhere.

But actors and producers feel insecure. They feel that what if the promotions have the slightest impact...

Most stars are tired of promotions but, if they don't do it and the film fails, they feel kar lena chahiye tha (should have done it).

How was it grooving to the recreated version of Sridevi's Hawa hawai?

We haven't recreated it. It is impossible to recreate a Sridevi song. I was happy I got to do it because, all my life, I have danced to Hawa hawai. It is an energetic song on which you want to dance. And whether you like it or no, you cannot help but think of Sridevi.

I remember Shekhar Kapur's quote at that time. My sister told me Shekhar Kapur had said, 'I didn't know what to shoot -- Sridevi's face or feet because if I did a close up of her feet, I realised I was missing out on her face and vice versa'.

I wonder what would it be like to be on the sets of that film. If there was a time machine, I would want to go back in time and visit the sets of Mr India and watch Sridevi dance.

We plan to show the song to her.

I have told her that I am not recreating your song, just paying tribute to you. She was very happy. She is so gentle and lovely.

What was your husband Siddharth Roy Kapur's reaction to the trailer of Tumhari Sulu?

He loved the trailer and me in it. He hasn't seen the film yet. I have and I think it's good (smiles, taps the table saying, 'Touch wood!').

What's next?

I haven't decided. I was reading scripts until two weeks ago. I will take a call after Tumhari Sulu releases. I am a little torn between two films -- that's always the case with me.

There were reports of you being approached to play Indira Gandhi in a film. Any truth to it?

I was approached a long time ago but I said no. Unless the permissions are sorted, I will not invest that kind of time and energy in the film. It will be painful and heartbreaking if it doesn't release.

I am dying to play Indira Gandhi.

Vidya Balan not Interested for Remakes

Remakes may be the latest trend in Bollywood but the actor Vidya Balan believes one should not tamper with an old classic.

There were reports that Vidya was offered to play Sridevi's role in a remake of 'Sadma'.

"I would not do it (remake a film). I can't dare to make or do something again. I was offered 'Sadma' remake and I said no to it. As I feel one should not touch a film like 'Sadma', why tamper with it? These are timeless films. One can reinterpret it but I am not one of those who would go for it," Vidya said at a film event.

Vidya said Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Anand', Ramesh Sippy's 'Sholay', Mahesh Bhatt's 'Arth' and Shekhar Kapur's 'Mr. India' were her favorite films during a conversation with film critics.

The National award-winning actor, meanwhile, is looking forward to her next film, 'Tumhari Sulu'.

She plays a carefree housewife who turns into a late night radio jockey.

The film was earlier slated to release on November 1 but the makers have shifted the date to avoid a clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, 'Padmavati'.

'Tumhari Sulu' will now release on November 24.

“Parineeta” Girl strengthening her Bong Connection

Vidya Balan has always been vocal about her love for Bengal, especially Kolkata. The fact that she shot for several of her movies there — including her debut 'Parineeta' (2005) — has further strengthened her bond with the city and its language. In fact, the actress is not only fluent in Bengali, but also enjoys conversing in it.

Vidya has now started dubbing for the Bengali versions of her commercials. Sources say that the actress says, "Kolkata, its people and their language instill a sense of familiarity in Vidya, and she enjoys every bit of it. Vidya has been slowly picking up the language since so many of her films have been shot in Kolkata. She also converses with her Bengali filmmakers in the language apart from members of the crew. She is now confident enough with her Bengali and has been dubbing herself for her Bengali versions of the commercials."

Vidya Balan comfortable with bold scenes

She is at her boldest ever in “The Dirty Picture”, but actress Vidya Balan says she never felt a sense of discomfort shooting for the movie as she was in the "trusted hands" of director Milan Luthria. "I have never enjoyed being a woman more than I did while shooting for ‘The Dirty Picture’. I wasn’t uncomfortable doing bold scenes because I knew I was in trusted hands," said Vidya. The actress, who reprises late southern siren Silk Smitha’s rise and fall as a glamourous star in the film, spoke at the theatrical launch of the film. The movie also features Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi and Naseeruddin Shah.

"I have worked with Naseer before but this time it was easier. I was less nervous this time," said Vidya, who had teamed up with the veteran actor in "Ishqiya". On working with Bollywood’s serial kisser Emraan, with whom she has locked lips in the film, she said: "I was wondering how it would be with Emraan, but it was fun."

The trailer promises viewers that Vidya would indeed be seen in a never-seen-before avatar in the film. The film is set for release Dec 2.

Vidya Balan feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops

It is well known that actress Vidya Balan is playing South Indian hot siren Silk Smitha in her upcoming biopic titled The Dirty Picture. Currently, the Bollywood star is busy shooting with Emraan Hashmi for director Milan Luthria’s movie in Hyderabad. Now, it is reported that she does not want to wear sleeveless tops for the flick. Vidya Balan is fully aware of the sexy image of Silk Smitha and she does not have any problem in breaking away from her demure persona to emulate the sexy actress.