I love the way I am: Vidya Balan

Non-conformist Vidya Balan — who plays Big B’s doting mother in Paa — talks about tackling showbiz on her own terms

If there is one Bollywood actress who cuts a virginal and take-her-home-to-meet-the-parents picture, it is Vidya Balan.

Her debut feature, Parineeta, in which she played an obedient and ethereal beauty, would make any Stepford wife proud. But in real life, the South Indian beauty is none of that.

For starters, she announces at the start of our conversation that although she plays an understanding mother and a loving wife in the drama Paa, she is convinced that her maternal instincts are in constant hibernation.

“I am petrified of kids and I am the most non-maternal person you will ever find. Like, when I was in school, my friends were fantastic with kids, while I used to stand on the sidelines and watch them interact,” Balan says over the phone from Mumbai.

She may have been clumsy around kids then, but her convincing performance as an unwed mother in Heyy Babyy (2007) went down well with Bollywood buffs.

“That’s the best part about acting. What you see of me on the big screen in Heyy Babyy, all you see is the glossed-up version.

“I still remember the way the baby used to wail each time I took it in my arms. I just didn’t get it. Quite simply, the baby and I didn’t share that so-called unconditional love bond. In fact, after the shooting of Heyy Babyy, I had decided I would never play a mother again on screen. But then Balki came along.”

For the uninitiated, Balki refers to Paa’s director, R. Balakrishnan, who made his debut with Cheeni Kum.

“Balki is one of the few visionary directors and he knew what he wanted right from the beginning. His convictions were staunch and he didn’t waver at any point. Like when he narrated the story of Paa, I didn’t know how to react. I had so many doubts because I knew I would be not just playing a mother — but the mother to Amitabh Bachchan.”

Balan plays mother to a prosthesis-shrouded Bachchan afflicted with progeria. A bold move many may say, as Bollywood is notoriously ageist. Actresses try their best to ward off motherly roles, lest they get typecast.

“I knew I was taking a huge risk. I had several sittings with Balki and I took a long time to say yes to the role. I discussed it with my manager, my sister, my brother-in-law… But I knew somewhere in my heart that this is a role of a lifetime and my gut was saying ‘do it’.”

The self-titled instinctual player adds that she loves to tackle showbiz on her own terms. Her curvy figure and her sartorial choices are widely dissected (read: criticised). “There used to be a time when I used to be affected and bothered by these criticisms. But now, thanks to all that, I am less vain today.

“FYI — I love the way I am and as far as reed thin is concerned, I think people are blessed with certain kind of bodies and we should just learn to embrace our curves. Remember, we are not men.”

A champion for all those bountiful beauties out there, Balan says she is yet to fathom the size-zero trend gripping Bollywood. “I just don’t get it. I don’t know why we should all follow the asexual body type — you know, the flat-from-everywhere types. I like my curves and I celebrate my curves, what’s wrong with that? Look at Zeenat Amman —
she is still considered the sexiest woman.

“Look at Rekha. She exudes sensuality even though she is covered from head-to-toe. To me, that’s real beauty.”

The Lage Raho Munnabhai star adds that she is a non-conformist in almost all spheres of her life.

Balan is one of the few actresses who has successfully penetrated the highly-clannish Bollywood industry with hits including Lage Raho Munnabhai and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. In the latter, Balan played a schizophrenic housewife.

“It has not been easy, but I feel incredibly blessed with the kind of roles that have landed in my lap. Unlike the norm, I don’t socialise after work or attend parties if I don’t know the host too well.”

True to her word, Balan is rarely papped at glitzy social dos.

“I prefer my work to do the talking. And so far I have succeeded.”

Balan, who finds yesteryear’s stars Zeenat Aman and Rekha sexy, says, “I like my curves and I celebrate my curves, what’s wrong with that?”

Balan, one of the few actresses who has successfully penetrated the highly-clannish Bollywood industry, in her debut Bollywood film, Parineeta.

Did you know?

Vidya Balan owned up to her box-office debacle Kismat Konnection. The movie, featuring Shahid Kapur and Balan premiered in Dubai in 2008. “With Kismet Konnection, I think we were all busy having fun on the sets. It was like a big party everyday. So I guess the movie suffered because of that.”

When asked if Paa was a Bollywood off-shoot of the Oscar-winning drama The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: “Paa is not like The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. The Hollywood movie was based on a fantasy while Paa is based on reality.”

Balan on her dream role

She may be known for her holier-than-thou roles but Vidya Balan’s dream role is a far cry from her picture-perfect stereotype. “I am dying to play a prostitute. You know the foul-mouthed, crude women on the streets. There is something so raw about them. And no, I am not talking about the sophisticated, polished call girls.”

Working with the Bachchans

As intimidating as it may seem, Vidya Balan is one of the few actresses who has enjoyed the chance to act alongside both Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in the same film. In Paa, she plays Bachchan Sr’s mother and Bachchan Jr’s wife. 

“Working with Amitabh Bachchan was an intimidating prospect. But the moment he put on his make-up, he was transformed into the 13-year-old Auro. That helped me a lot in forgetting that I was acting with a legendary actor.

“Working with Abhishek was a wonderful experience. He is one of the most generous actors that we have today. He complements your performance.”

Don’t Miss it: Paa hits cinemas across the UAE on Thursday.