Indian actress Flora Saini says she learned a lot while working with Bollywood star Vidya Balan in their upcoming Begum Jaan.
The period drama, set during India’s partition in 1947, is directed by Srijit Mukherji and features Balan as a brothel’s madam.
Saini was recently seen in Nagesh Kukonoor’s Dhanak.
“We all had a one month workshop, including her. Initially, I was a little intimidated by her during the workshops but not on sets. It was absolutely a learning experience working with her,” Saini said.
The film is an adaptation of the 2015 Bengali film Rajkahini, which was also directed by Mukherji.
In the film, Saini plays one of the women in the brothel. The movie also stars Gauhar Khan and Besharam star Pallavi Sharda.
“Begum Jaan is a rustic film, and Vidya has no inhibitions as an actress. For us, that was a huge morale booster. It is a heavy duty, intense film. So there were scenes where Vidya’s character had to be really cruel and harsh to us,” she said.
“There were days [Balan] used to come and hug us after the shoot, often even cry saying she felt bad and won’t be able to sleep at night without letting us know,” Saini added.
Saini has featured predominantly in South India films. She credits Kukonoor, who also directed her in Lakshmi, for bringing out her best work.
“I was so happy with my work in Lakshmi but I wish it had got that [huge] kind of audience. Nagesh Kukonoor is a blessing. If not him, people wouldn’t have known my work. He is a school in himself,” she said.
Saini now hopes Begum Jaan will take her places.
“[Mukherji] had seen Dhanak and liked my work in the film. I got a call from him and we met for the Begum Jaan. Now, whenever it is set for release, I hope more people see it and my work reaches a wider audience,” Saini added.
