Hamari Vidya!

The National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan was appointed a member of the reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), to be now chaired by writer Prasoon Joshi. She looks forward to a phase where cinema celebrates present-day sensibilities and realities. She says, “I am very happy to be a member of CBFC and I hope to fulfil my responsibilities as a member to the best of my abilities.

I think beyond that our work will speak about this.”

After portraying some serious roles in movies like ‘Begum Jaan’ and ‘Kahaani 2’, Vidya is back to do a slice-of-life drama in ‘Tumhari Sulu’. Essaying the role of a late night RJ in Mumbai, Vidya says, “My movie ‘Tumhari Sulu’ is directed by Suresh Triveni, which may release on November 24.

I am excited about this, as a character on the silver screen I haven’t smiled or laughed so much in a long-long time. I am Sulochana (aka Sulu) playing a radio jockey (RJ) of a late-night radio show, a housewife who lands up with the unpredictable job of entertaining lonely callers.”

Are women-centric films here to stay? “I have been doing women-centric films from the past eight years. And thankfully more and more movies are being made. And more actresses are doing those films and these flicks are doing well. I think it’s no longer a trend and this is going to stay for long,” avers Vidya.

Amongst Gen Next who do you think are doing well? I like quite a few of them. I like Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, everyone has a different strength. Then there is Kriti Sanon, whom I liked in ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’. I liked Bhumi Pednekar in ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ and 'Shubh Mangal Savdhan'.

Vidya Balan, who often wears traditional Indian weaves, says she feels strongly for the dying art of handloom in the country and would like to spread awareness about the work of weavers. “I love handicrafts and handlooms. I love sarees. I feel that my concept of beauty is tied in sarees. I started loving sarees in my childhood.

When I was growing up my mother used to only wear saree, and much later in life after my sister and I grew up she started wearing salwar kameez. Saree is the tradition of south India. In those days, my aunts used to sport sarees on a regular basis.

And during functions, all the Kanjeevarams would come out from the wardrobe. That’s why I love Kanjeevaram, Banarasi among others. I love earthy colours. I like to be like a queen with jhumkas, flowers and wear saree daily but I can’t. Gaurang is one of my favourite designer,” shares Vidya.

Coming back about her upcoming films Vidya admits that she loves to play Meena Kumari on screen but says, “Right now, I can’t talk about this.”

About Navaratri celebrations
We visit each other’s houses to see Golus. Every day we invite some women home—friends, family or neighbours for Vetlapak, where ladies gather to perform pujas.
Until three years of marriage I didn’t do anything. But this year I am calling people throughout nine days and we will have Vetlapaak.
I am going to wear sarees. These days I don’t need to buy sarees because wherever I go people are gifting me sarees and I decided what to wear for Navratri. I told my husband that he doesn’t have to gift me a saree now (laughs).

Rapid Fire
Your life: Blessed!
Vidya Balan: Love!
Scared about: Losing loved ones!
Message for girls: A woman can do anything she wants. The biggest fact is that you are a girl.
Any role you want to play: Good writers will write for good roles for me (laughs).