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EXCLUSIVE: Vidya Balan: My body My rules.... tagline is true not just for Begum Jaan but for me too
Vidya Balan gets candid about her upcoming release Begum Jaan.
If there is one actress who has lived her life on her own terms and is considered the torchbearer of women empowerment and the feminist wave in Bollywood, then it is undoubtedly Vidya Balan. The actress, unaware of her actions, started a trend of sorts and gave us films like The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, Ishqiya among others, that are today considered landmark films, given that they were riding solely on the shoulders of a woman. It was a feat in itself considering Bollywood has always been a victim of male domination. And while everyone is thankful to Vidya, the actress is unaffected by it. She clarifies that she is just trying to empower herself, and if in the process she inspires someone, then it is great.
In a heart-to-heart conversation ahead of the release of her film Begum Jaan, Vidya Balan gets candid about the movie, box-office success and failure, women empowerment and more! Read on...
Begum Jaan trailer opened to great response. Was it overwhelming?
I am very happy undoubtedly. Because I actually don't think about these things. It is very heartening. It definitely makes me hopeful for the possible success of the movie. Over the past couple of years, I have learnt not to focus on numbers. I am happier for it. In between, it had become only about the numbers. It takes away the joy from the promotions. You keep thinking about it constantly. It feels good that the trailer did well across the board.
Does it affect you when your film doesn't do well?
Ofcourse! But thankfully I am so selfish about being the actor part of me because I really feel blessed of living my dream of being an actor. So on set, I don't think about anything. Whether this film will work or whether the previous one didn't work. I just sink my teeth into the role and I thoroughly enjoy it.
But does that add more pressure on you while shooting for your next film?
I never choose a film on the basis of whether people going to like this film. I ask myself a few questions. As an audience, would I want to watch it? Would I want to tell that story as the character offered to me? If it fits these criteria's then I take up the project. Because you never know what the audience likes and dislikes. I am a part of the audience at the end of the day. If I react instinctively, then I think that even audience will like it. But I do go wrong sometimes. Previously everytime a film didn't work, I had thought that I had gone wrong. I don't think that anymore. I just think that the film didn't work. That doesn't mean you made a wrong decision. In the past few years, that is what I have learnt.
When the movie does well, it is overwhelming right?
When my choices are right it is heartening. It boosts your confidence. I believed in something and that gets appreciated. You went ahead and did your best and now the world feels the same. That feeling is unparalleled. When a film does well commercially, it is a huge high!
Was there any particular prep that went into Begum Jaan?
Actually, all the other girls come from different parts of the country, so they have a different accent. I just have a little tinge of Urdu. But my voice is two levels low. Maybe hence people are feeling that I have made a conscious effort. We wanted Begum Jaan to be a representative of India and therefore we deliberately didn't keep any accent. She is shamelessly powerful, where she rules. She is the King or Queen. I don't know if she is a lioness or a tigress, may be both. So my body language had to reflect that she owns and commands this place.
Could you relate to the tagline - My country, My body, My house, My rules?
Absolutely related to it. The tagline only came after the shoot. Having said that, sometimes you feel something and you are not able to articulate it. Then you read something and then you feel that oh my god, these were the words that have been pulled out of my mouth. I think that is what happened with me. This is not only true for Begum Jaan but for me as Vidya Balan too. I pretty much strive to live my life on my own terms.
Have you watched Rajkahini?
Srijit didn't have a script with him. He wanted me to do the Bengali version, which I couldn't do. Later, he came and said, 'I don't have a script to show you, but I have a film'. I watched it and I decided to do it in just two days. It is pretty quick considering the amount of time I take. I think, chew, ruminate, but this time I just said yes. I found it extremely powerful and ruling.
How did you find Rituparna Sengupta's performance?
She was mind blowing! I am blessed in a way that I don't remember films, my own as well. So when I really like a performance, it's what the feeling it left me with. I cannot break down a performance on basis of body language or expressions or emotions. She left me feeling like... I ended up doing the film. But I consciously blocked that part out so I could create a fresh new Begum Jaan. I think I managed.
Manisha Koirala recently told us that women above 35 don't get meatier roles. But you have been clearly changing the norms. Do you think Bollywood is now undergoing a paradigm shift?
It is opening up. But I keep saying this when people ask me about women empowerment, I am not here to change the society. I am not here to champion the cause of women's empowerment. If at all I am concerned with empowerment, then it is of my own. If that by example inspires or encourages someone to live their life on their terms, then great, but I am not here to do that. Because I believe, that change starts with an individual. So I am not bothered by the fact that I am 38. I feel I have lived great 38 years so far and there is a long way to go. Which is why I am still getting interesting parts and that has been the case for the past 8-9 years. But it is nice to know Manisha Koirala said that. I still remember, when I was a model I did an ad with her. She was the star and it was a night shoot, and I couldn't take my eyes off her. Manisha Koirala is one of the most beautiful faces. Not knowing that someday she will know my name.
When do you begin shooting for Tumhari Sulu?
Will start a couple of weeks after Begum Jaan. It is a fun slice of life film. I am really looking forward to it. Last year, it was very intense in the kind of films I did. So this year it will be a little breezy year.
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