Her oomph and chutzpah in the "Ooh la la" song from "The Dirty Picture" is already a rage. Vidya Balan is now gearing up to mesmerise fans with a live performance with other artists at the music launch of the film in Mumbai Friday.
"Vidya, Emraan (Hashmi), Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor, Bappi Lahiri and Shreya Ghoshal will perform at the event live, " Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures, told.
Asked if Vidya will perform to "Ooh la la", Johar said: "Yes of course!!!"
The event is to be held at the Inorbit Mall in Malad, starting 6 p.m. It is free for everyone.
"That's the novelty value. We wanted to take the film to the public directly so that they can interact with the stars and enjoy the music, " he added.
The actors themselves are quite excited about the colourful music launch.
Tusshar tweeted: "Hello people, on Friday, 4th Nov, pls come to 'The Dirty Picture' audio launch. It's at 6 pm at Inorbit, Malad and free for the public. It should be a first-of-its-kind audio launch where you will witness live performances by the star cast and singers.
"The Dirty Picture", produced by Ekta Kapoor, chronicles the rise to fame, gradual fall and death of southern actress Silk Smitha. The film is releasing Dec 2.
The television campaign for The Dirty Picture has taken a full frontal approach (pun intended) with Vidya Balan's brazen act crossing even those boundaries that seemed unassailable when the first theatrical promo came out recently. While the makers seem to be pushing the envelope with every passing juncture, the latest being her song 'Ooh La La', many in the industry are questioning if Vidya's moves are justified for a film that boasts of such an A-grade setup.
"This is unbelievable," says a prominent director on condition of anonymity. "I understand that the makers of The Dirty Picture are attempting celebrating the life of a sexy screen diva, but what we see is beyond imagination. I guess what we saw so far in true terms was 'just a trailer'. I suppose it will take a while before we come to terms with Vidya Balan's daring new avatar."
A trade guru points out, "The tantalizing promos have done the initial trick. The makers have clearly shown that they have an eye on the box office run. And the fact that something so different is coming from Milan Luthria and Vidya Balan, who are known for a different kind of cinema, has also added to the shock and curiosity value."
"It is a conscious call," says Milan sounding surprisingly cool. "There is always a handful of people trying to become self-appointed moral crusaders and creating issues when there are none. This handful is not even representative of the Indian audience at large so no one takes them seriously. We have the Censor Board whose decision we will follow. In any case, when the audience watches the final film, all this talk will be put to rest."
He adds, "We have made a progressive film here. So much is changing on television that it's shocking. I am merely moving ahead with the times and exploring different genres. I could have gone ahead and made another gangster movie after Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. However, I chose to change genres. I have done that even earlier in my career when Kachche Dhaage and Taxi No. 9211 worked. With The Dirty Picture, I thought it was finally time to come out with something that hasn't really been attempted before."
Milan concurs that the film has generated sufficient interest substantially in advance of its release. "I understand that people are floored, more so because it is Vidya on screen. However, I know the path I have followed. Some language and visuals might seem brazen but while certain directors may have kept it way too carnal and others way too subtle, I have found my own way."
Yet another real-life character gets modified in reel just for the actress
She may not have impressed the fashionistas too much with her personal style, but Vidya Balan has managed to wow the people who matter in her professional life.
How else can you explain B-Town's creative lot actually modifying real-life characters in reel to suit her image.
In Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala, Vidya is being wooed to essay the role of gangster Manya Surve's girlfriend.
While in reality the late don's moll is a widow and mother of two, her character in the movie will now not have any kids. Her widowhood status will also not be given any importance.
Explains Gupta, "We didn't want to stress too much on Surve's girl's past.
The fact that she was married at some point in her life before she met him is of no consequence to the story. We'll barely mention it in passing. And yes, Survey's girl will have no children in my film."
With the character suitably altered, one hopes that Vidya will finally agree to come on board to do her second biographical character in a row after playing Silk Smitha in Dirty Picture.
Incidentally, this role too was substantially altered for Vidya's sake.
Vidya Balan has said that she was comfortable shooting the bold scenes for her film The Dirty Picture.
The star said that her lack of concern was down to being in the "trusted hands" of director Milan Luthria.
According to IANS, Balan told reporters: "I have never enjoyed being a woman more than I did while shooting for The Dirty Picture. I wasn't uncomfortable doing bold scenes because I knew I was in trusted hands."
Balan portrays the rise and fall of South Indian screen siren Silk Smitha in a film which also stars Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi and Naseeruddin Shah.
Speaking at the theatrical launch of the film, the actress said: "I have worked with Naseer before but this time it was easier… I was less nervous this time."
On working with Hashmi, with whom she has an intimate scene, she said: "I was wondering how it would be with Emraan, but it was fun."
The project has been made by the same team behind the 2010 release Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.
Vidya Balan, who is portraying Southern siren Silk Smitha in Ekta Kapoor's The Dirty Picture, can be seen in a sensual avatar in a red hot sari. Tusshar Kapoor holds her sari by one end and Vidya swirls away from him stripping off her sari.
The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi. It's a biopic on sex icon Silk Smitha. The actor was found dead in her Chennai apartment in 1996.Vidya Balan, who is portraying Southern siren Silk Smitha in Ekta Kapoor's The Dirty Picture, can be seen in a sensual avatar in a red hot sari. Tusshar Kapoor holds her sari by one end and Vidya swirls away from him stripping off her sari.
The film, directed by Milan Luthria, will be released on December 2 which is Smitha's birth date. Ekta Kapoor (producer) refers to her as one of the muses in the film. Ekta told HT: "It's a beautiful coincidence since she is one of our muses, along with other Southern actors like Shakeela, Nylon Nandini and Polyester Padmini."
"My film is not inspired by any one of them, but is a reflection of an era when they used their sexuality to carve a niche for themselves in the male-dominated South film industry. Many frowned upon them, but they were survivors and their power over the masses cannot be denied," she added.
The Dirty Picture is touted to be Ekta's boldest film till date leaving behind Ragini MMS, Shor In The City and Love Sex Aur Dhokha.
Nervous as hell about his first screen kiss it seems Tusshar Kapoor is not destined to kiss Vidya Balan for The Dirty Picture in a hurry. As per the script the torrid smooch between the couple is mandatory.
However when it came to actually shooting the kiss a series of circumstances have somehow aborted the proposed kiss. It started with the lack of rehearsals for the sequence.
The latest setback was a dragonfly attack in Hyderabad on location just when the long-due kiss was to be shot.
The much-discussed seduction sequence between Vidya Balan and Tusshar Kapoor was to be shot before Vidya Balan left for a brief holiday. And now everyone is wondering when the kiss would actually happen.
Says Tusshar, “Yeah, I don’t know why. The kiss with Vidya just hasn’t happened so far. I was very nervous about doing the intimate scenes.
The director Milan Luthria assured me Vidya and I would be comfortable in the intimate moments after rehearsals. But the rehearsals for the love scenes didn’t happen. We both got busy with other things. Then there was dragon-fly attack and we had to pack up abruptly. ”
Now Tusshar has suddenly signed a new film, Samir Karnik’s comedy about star-crossed Rajasthani-Punjabi lovers, played by Tusshar and Kulraj Randhawa which would now have to be accommodated into his Dirty Picture schedule, along with the sequel to Kya Kool Hain Hum.
So where does that leave the fugitive kiss?
Laughs Tusshar nervously, “Hopefully we’ll shot the kiss soon. If God and the dragonflies allow.
Vidya Balan has reportedly been told to wear butt-pads to enhance her hips for the biopic of South Indian star Silk Smitha.
The actress is playing Smitha in Ekta Kapoor's upcoming Dirty Picture.
Since she has taken on the part, the star has reportedly been encouraged to put on weight to resemble the tragic Bollywood icon.
According to Mumbai Mirror, Balan will have to wear the cosmetic enhancers as production begins on May 30th.
She was recently told by director Milan Luthria that she needs to become more "comfortable" with her body for the role, as Smith was known for her easy on-screen sensuality.
Balan had confessed after signing up that she has reservations about playing Smitha, who died in September 1996 at the age of 35 after failing to become a producer.
Kapoor has said that she expects "unbelievable critical acclaim" for the picture and has also predicted that Balan will receive an award for her portrayal of Smitha.
Bollywood star Vidya Balan has revealed that she was mistaken for Kim Kardashian on a recent trip to Australia.
The actress told Mumbai Mirror that the incident took place at a Melbourne gay club, where she was partying with friends on a night out.
According to the paper, a clubber at a venue in Melbourne's Commercial Road district approached the Hindi film star and stated: "I am gay, but you are really hot. By any chance, are you Kim Kardashian?"
The actor, who was recently advised to show more skin in her work, is reported to have not known how to react after being asked if she was the reality television star.
"I didn't know what to say, so I just smiled," said the 33-year-old.
The star recently had the chance to share the stage with actor Hugh Jackman at an industry event in Mumbai.
"I never thought I'd get the opportunity to shake a leg with him, Bollywood style," she commented.
Balan was involved in a doctored bikini image scandal last month after her head was superimposed onto the body of a model for a fake magazine cover.
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has urged Indians not just to switch off lights during WWF's Earth Hour 2011 campaign, but to go beyond the hour and protect the earth from the issue of climate change.
The Earth Hour will be celebrated Saturday at 8.30 p.m.
"As the effects of climate change become more prevalent and more powerful, it is up to each one of us to take ownership of our collective future. WWF's Earth Hour has inspired millions across the globe and has created mass awareness on the colossal issue of climate change. It is inspiring and encouraging to see how a step as simple as switching off lights for an hour can unite the entire world towards a single cause. I too switched off lights last year, and will do so this year as well," Vidya said in a press statement.
The critically acclaimed actress, also added a plus sign to the '60' logo of Earth Hour. The plus signifies a commitment to add a positive act in everyday life to benefit the environment beyond just the 60 minutes.
"For Earth Hour 2011, I pledge to not just switch off but to go beyond the hour. To be mindful of conserving resources, everyday, not just for an hour. From this year on, I pledge to use energy smartly. And urge you to do so as well.
"Each one of us has the power to make a difference. We just need to be conscious of it and make wise choices. When each of us take simple steps, together these actions add up. I am supporting the fight against climate change by adopting some of these steps. It's time you do too," she added.
Earth Hour 2011 is expected to be a culmination of over one billion people around the globe, in more than six thousand cities across 130 countries worldwide.
The spotlight is on acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan at the ongoing 2011 Indian Film Festival (IFF): Bollywood and Beyond, which is screening a special retrospective of acclaimed Indian actress Vidya Balan's finest films from "Parineeta" to "Ishqiya".
Over over 30 films will be screened at the fest, including 15 Australian premiers. The 10-day festival, which is screened in Sydney (March 9-19), Melbourne (March 11-20), Adelaide (March 22-29) and Auckland (March 24 to April 3), kicked off this week at Hoyts Cinema Paris in the Entertainment Quarter, next to the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Vidya starrer "No one killed Jessica" and British producer Leslee Udwin's "West is West".
Since making a dream debut in "Parineeta", Vidya has mesmerised audiences with her powerful performances.
"The most exciting thing as an actor is to do diverse roles. A film has to be engaging and entertaining as for me cinema is ultimately about hope," said the 33-year-old, who is looking forward to the June release of Sujoy Ghosh's thriller "Kahani" in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman, and Milan Luthria's "The Dirty Picture", based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema's ultimate sex symbol.
For Vidya, who has travelled the world, Australia's Gold Coast, known for its sunny surfing beaches, is the favourite locale to shoot. "I had the most chilled out time in Surfer's Paradise. I also enjoy shooting in Toronto, which has a lovely energy with cultural activities all around," she told IANS, recalling the time she had while shooting for "Heyy Babyy" in Sydney.
She feels the more independent voices Indian cinema embraces, the more universal appeal it will have.
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, on his first visit to Australia, told IANS: "It is a privilege to have 'No one killed Jessica' as the opening film of this festival. The landscape of cinema is changing and how the audience receive the film, connect with the emotions and identify with this journey is important for me."
Australians and Indians have been coming with friends, partners and spouses to the festival, which is showcasing a sizzling mixture of comedy, romance, action and drama - from hardcore blockbuster "Dabangg" and the critically acclaimed "No One Killed Jessica", to "West Is West".
Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali film "Abohomaan" and Ananth Mahadevan's Marathi film "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal" too is a part of the bouquet.
As festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told IANS: "This year we've made a conscious effort to bring you films that eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema; a hugely exciting seismic, cultural shift that must be shared. The aim is to showcase just how absolutely versatile and unique is our film industry. We have ventured beyond Bollywood to include some of the finest regional films."
The credit for bringing Indian films into mainstream cinemas in Australia goes to Mind Blowing Films, which has also been promoting Australian locations to Indian film producers and directors.
The festival director called on the Diaspora to ditch pirated two dollar DVDs sold at South Asian spice stores and support filmmakers by watching their works on the big screen.
Audiences also warmed to "West Is West", a sequel to Udwin's much loved "East Is East", which opens in India next month (April).
Udwin, who now lives in Copenhagen, told IANS: "I always knew there was going to be a sequel. People recognise that this film is about their story. It is a crowd pleasing film with a heart and spirit, which makes the audience cry and laugh. It is where comedy and tragedy fit in the same frame, an absolute reflection of life. In fact, I feel there is a trilogy in `East Is East'."
Also screening is the winner of the Western Union Short Film Competition, "Mumbaikar Ganesh" by Indian director Collin John D'Cunha.
"Acknowledgment of 'Mumbaikar Ganesh' means a lot to me as I am able to share my work with family and friends in Australia through this festival," said Kush Badhwar, the cinematographer who was born and brought up in Sydney and is now working in Mumbai.
The festival closes with producer-actress Juhi Chawla and director Onir's "I Am", an innovative film that explores the issues of homosexuality, prostitution and child abuse.
M. F. Husain has reportedly expressed anger at reports that he intended to paint a nude portrait of Vidya Balan.
The artist, currently a citizen of Qatar, famously upset members of India's Hindu community after depicting deities in an allegedly sexual manner.
Husain told The Times of India: "I would never ever even think like that. I have done several paintings of Madhuri Dixit but I have always captured her personality. I respect Vidya as an artiste and would never ask her or any artiste to pose nude for me."
He also revealed that he does not want to paint a life-like portrait of Anushka Sharma.
"Anushka has inspired me to do a painting of the quintessential Punjabi kudi [girl]," the artist said. "She was outstanding in Band Baaja Baaraat. She made the transition from a playful girl to an upright woman brilliantly."
Vidya Balan may reportedly get engaged to Siddharth Roy Kapur.
According to The Times of India, the actress is rumoured to be in a relationship with the head of UTV Motion Pictures, with the pair said to be close to deciding to wed.
A top industry source told the newspaper: “Vid and Sid are close. And in the past weeks they have been spotted spending quality time with each other on two occasions.”
The critically-acclaimed actress recently worked in Siddharth’s No One Killed Jessica. The film corporation executive is not comfortable talking about his friendship with the actress as he is allegedly waiting for his divorce to come through.
However, Balan’s secretary commented: "Vidya has to first know Siddharth well enough to marry him. One doesn't necessarily marry people one is friendly to or has dinners with."
Vidya Balan has not agreed to expose for a painting for acclaimed artist M.F. Hussain, says a close friend of the actress.
"The story is fabricated to damage her reputation and it hasn't gone down well with the actress who has always maintained a dignified stance both in her personal and professional life," said the friend.
Hussain finds Vidya's persona especially her face very sensual and cultured and a newspaper reported that she will bare all for his painting.
But Vidya, who will feature in Ekta Kapoor's "Dirty Pictures", has always maintained she would take up projects only with an aesthetic sense.
"The news is absolutely hysterical. We are in the month of February and not April. Vidya has always maintained a dignified image and is one of the most respected stars in the industry. The reports are fabricated by parties with vested interests and if ever Vidya does decide to get a painting done, it will strictly be her face. Hope this puts an end to the speculation," said the friend.
Vidya Balan has said that she is not fazed by comments about her looks, nor worried about ageing.
The 33-year old actress admitted that there was pressure on women to look young forever but said it was something that did not concern her.
"I don't think about ageing at all. I have lived a very happy life so far and I look forward to it. It may bother me if I am 50 but it is a long way [off]," Balan told PTI.
"I think women get better with age," she added. "Look at Rekha and my mother, they are getting better with age, be it beauty, brains or sensuality."
Referring to the criticism that she once received about her style, the actress said that it was something to which she no longer paid any attention.
"I take comments on my looks in my stride. There could be days when you are badly turned out or have a bad hair day but I don't care about it anymore," she added.
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is quite up the popularity list these days. The actress is winning accolades left right and center not only for her stellar performance in the recently released flick No One Killed Jessica, but also is high on the list of the hottest vegan celebrities.
Vidya Balan, who is known for her food fetish is actually a pure vegan and she has topped the list with the former union minister of state for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor's name too featuring alongside hers in the list.
Vidya ,who looks too hot to handle despite being the target for her dressing sense sometime ago has certainly scaled heights and proved to her detractors that she is one of the most good looking people around tinsel town and along with that she houses a beautiful heart within that looks with kindness to animals.
However, the title hottest vegan won by Vidya is courtesy the PETA authorities who have placed her above the other celebrities on the list like Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, R.Madhavan, Lara Dutta, Mallika Sherawat, Shahid Kapoor besides the international hotties like Natalie Portman and Bryan Adams.
Well, seems like Vidya is all set to rock throughout this year with all the love and adulations being showered on her from various quarters. We do congratulate the beauty on this achievement too!
Vidya Balan sets the tone for a serious interview with her outfit - a sobre coloured sabya, little make up and thick glasses.
She talks about her film No One Killed Jessica and how the big names in the industry attended the premiere. She is candid in admitting that she pours all her resources into the characters and she does all the necessary homework before she reaches the sets.
When all her contemporaries are happiest essaying parts they can relate to and rejecting parts that's just not them, Vidya revels in playing characters that are so removed from who she is that there is none of her on screen.
She sees no fun in Vidya playing Vidya. That explains why this well-behaved Iyer girl agreed to play the porn star Silk Smitha in Dirty Picture.
With No One Killed Jessica already getting a positive buzz from the industry, it seems the actress is all set to begin 2011 on a high.
Vidya Balan has discovered a new side to Delhi. During her extensive shoot in the capital for "No One Killed Jessica", the Bollywood star walked through crowded streets and markets, even in old Delhi, and was quite surprised to find that people did not stop to watch the shooting. Delhiwallahs are as busy as Mumbaikars, the actress said.
"I always thought Delhi was a bit more relaxed than Mumbai where nobody walks aaram se (in a relaxed way). But through my walks in Delhi during the shoot of 'No One Killed Jessica', I realised that people don't have time to look at you. Life is as fast-paced here as in Mumbai, " Vidya told.
The 32-year-old essays the role of Sabrina Lall in the film, based on the murder case of model Jessica Lall, who was shot dead by Manu Sharma in 1999. For many scenes, Vidya had to shoot in perennially crowded areas like Connaught Place and Bhikaji Cama Place in the capital, but says she was surprised that no one waited to see the shooting, unlike earlier times.
"I give complete leeway to the fact that I was dressed differently - very plain and simply. I saw a mad rush of people in CP and Bhikaji Cama, but people didn't have time to stop and look at us. I had always heard that Mumbai is more used to stars and Delhi isn't used to stars, but even here, no one cared! This is one new side of Delhi that I got to explore, " she added.
Vidya spent a-month-and-a-half shooting in Delhi for the Rajkumar Gupta film, and says the experience was heart-warming. The film releases Friday.
"I actually walked through the streets of Delhi for the film. It's been a different and heart-warming experience because it wasn't like just shooting in one location. I had to walk through streets wearing absolutely plain clothes and shoot with hidden cameras to look like one of the people in the crowd.
"I won't be able to specify the streets I traversed, but I know I have been through both - Puraani Dilli and New Delhi. I have really explored Delhi like I could never have done alone and I don't think any Delhiite has explored Delhi the way I did during this shoot, " she said, sounding overwhelmed.
The actress who hails from Tamil Nadu loves Delhi's winter.
"It always feels so good to be back in Delhi, especially at this time of the year. It's so charming... we don't have this kind of weather in Mumbai. The streets are so much calmer during these days than the rest of the year. So I really like it."
Vidya Balan has said that she refuses to give up acting when she gets married, unlike some other Bollywood actresses.
The 32-year-old star of upcoming film No One Killed Jessica said that, regardless of her relationship status, she has no plans to leave the industry.
"Acting is a part of who I am. I don't think I will remotely give it up for anything or anyone," Balan told IANS.
The actress said the idea that a woman has to give up her career after marriage is an old-fashioned one.
"In our profession, in the earlier days, the moment you got married, you ceased to be an object of desire, which is why a lot of actresses retired," she said. "Today, no longer."
Praising women who go back to work after having children, Balan added: "I think today women continue to work at every age. It's fantastic."
Vidya Balan, who debuted in Bollywood by portraying a very docile and sober character in Parineeta, has become a favorite choice for the filmmakers these days when it comes to playing a real life character.
Recently, Vidya has played the character of Sabrina Lall, the elder sister of Delhi based Jessica Lall, who was murdered on April 29, 1999 in the movie No One Killed Jessica. The 32-year-old actress is also set to play the South actress Silk Smitha's character in Milan Luthria directed film 'A Dirty Picture'. Vidya will be playing the hot seductive actress Smitha, who acted in more than 200 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.
Now, the latest reports suggest that the simple and sweet looking Vidya has now got the offer to play the yesteryear classic Bollywood beauty Madhubala, who died of serious illness at only 36 years of age.
Everyone is aware of the fact that dancing diva Madhuri Dixit is often considered to be the best actress to play Madhubala. It is because of her close similarity with the actress and her dancing talent. However, Madhuri has now almost left Bollywood and she has become 43! So, the makers have probably settled on Vidya Balan, who is the most suitable actress to play Madhubala from this generation and age is also not a bar in her case.
Earlier in 2009, there was a buzz that director Shashanka Ghosh is planning a film based on the love story of Kishore Kumar and Madhubala. He was supposed to have considered Balan's name for playing Madhubala whereas Aamir Khan was supposed to play the legendary singer Kishore Kumar.
Moreover, she has got the experience of playing real life characters so people can easily identify with her in such roles. We hope she takes up the challenging job and after so many years we can revive the memories of Madhubala!
Vidya Balan is to work on a new production alongside Saif Ali Khan.
Balan, who won critical acclaim for her work opposite the actor in Parineeta, will feature with Khan in a new project, reports NDTV.
A source revealed that the two stars would share screen space in Dream Sequence: "Initially, Deepika Padukone was to do the role. The casting of the duo together after Love Aaj Kal had its appeal.
"But the actress begged off when she heard that the chote nawab was having second thoughts and that Abhay Deol would fill in for him." The project is to release under Balaji Motion pictures and will be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
"The actress, director and producer are keen to work together in this film and are currently working on the dates, " added the source.
Mariah Carey 'enjoyed working with mother'
Mariah Carey has described the "lovely experience" of working with her mother on her latest album, and hopes to record more material with her in the future.
Patricia Carey - who usually performs opera - recorded vocals on her daughter's festive compilation Merry Christmas II You, on the tracks 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Halleluiah Chorus'.
Mariah revealed to People that there may be more duets between the pair in the future: "Many people know that my mother is a trained opera singer, so I guess it was only a matter of time before we both got onto a record together.
"It was a lovely experience being in the studio together, and I'm very happy that I have this documented for the rest of my life."
