Can’t imagine life without acting

Vidya Balan has proved her credentials with one sterling performance after another - ‘Nobody Killed Jessica’, ‘Ishqiyaan’, ‘The Dirty Picture’, ‘Kahaani’ and now ‘Bobby Jasoos’. And she says “I try hard to do something different every time and make sure I don’t disappoint my fans”

On a midsummer afternoon PVR Theatre is packed to the brim for the theatrical release of Reliance and Born Free Entertainment’s new release ‘Bobby Jasoos’.

Surprising, because such crowd is only associated with a Khan, Roshan or a Bachchan, never for a heroine. But then Vidya Balan is no ordinary heroine. She has proved her credentials with one sterling performance after another and now ‘Bobby Jasoos’.

Once all the actors settled in their seats the event took off with the showing of the trailer. The excitement was palpable in the theatre. Loud whistles and applause follow the screening. When the frenzy settled, Diya Mirza came on stage and introduced the film. Next, partner and boyfriend Sahil introduced the technical and creative team. By now the stage is full and there is no place even for the cameraman and people had to forcibly vacate the stage.

It is not an appropriate time or venue but I grab Vidya Balan in a corner for a quick chat. Balan is distracted with so many people smiling and waving at her but professional that she is, she focuses and answers bang on!.

‘Bobby Jasoos’ seems like another special film coming from Vidya Balan stable.

(Smiles) I hope so. I try hard to do something different every time and make sure I don’t disappoint my fans. At the same time I want to do films that I enjoy and have fun.

Was playing a detective a lot of fun?

Absolutely, I don nine disguises in the film and while other actors grumble about changing so many costumes, I enjoyed it thoroughly; it was great entertainment like being on a picnic.

So which is your favorite disguise?

Difficult to pick one because all of them are specific characters with reference to the script but playing all the male characters was great fun. It’s strange but in the past whenever I’d shoot with heroes who had to wear a moustache or a beard, they always complained of the gum biting into the skin but I had no complains. I happily wore the moustaches/ beards/ caps/ lungi/ pyjamas whatever they gave me and my body language changed accordingly.

What made you say yes to the role considering Born Free Entertainment is not a top grade banner?

I decide my films on the basis of my role and the director. The producer is important too but not in grade but in merit and temperament. I have known Diya and Sahil for a long time and we wanted to work together but waited for the right script to come our way. Then ‘Bobby Jasoos’ happened and everything fell into place. They are the most caring producers I have worked with and make no discriminations on the sets which I admire greatly. On a cold night when we were shooting outdoors and shivering, Diya personally served hot soup to everybody on the sets. It is these little gestures that make a person special.

You have a very special supporting cast in ‘Bobby Jasoos’.

I was fortunate to have super actors like Rajendra Gupta and Supriya Pathak who play my parents in the film, besides Kiran Kumar and Tanvi Azmi and so many debutants. We were all alert and wanting to give our best as long as the camera was on and off the camera, we had a great time too. We have become friends and I hope the equations won’t alter as all of us get busy with our new projects.

Does equation with husband change over time, why are there recurrent rumours of disharmony in your marriage?

I don’t know who spreads these stories, seems like they are not happy about us being happy. It is futile to discuss these matters. There is no need for clarification when there is no misunderstanding. Siddharth and I are too busy to be bothered with rumours.

There are rumours about you being pregnant too, is it true?

That happened because I was not committing to a film. I have a right to take my time and not saying ‘Yes’ does not mean I’m pregnant but if that is the conclusion media wants to draw I cannot do anything about it. As far as I know I’m not pregnant but if media knows better, they can enlighten me. (smiles)