Vidya had a great time with Rani

But Vidya Balan is literally on top of the world after winning the Filmfare Best Actress Award for the very role that she took up reluctantly, but which she now describes as “one of the most gratifying experiences.” “I really didn’t understand what was happening during the shooting of Paa. It was only when I watched the film in its entirety that I realised how special it was,” says Vidya, who was in the city recently for the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Award function, “I was reluctant at first because, for one, I was asked to play mother at that stage in my career, and secondly, the idea of Amitabh Bachchan playing a 13-year-old boy was hard to imagine; it was almost daunting and intimidating. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. In a relationship between a mother and a child, the expression of love has to be completely uninhibited. I wasn’t sure if I could express those emotions — cuddling, hugging and kissing him knowing that the 13-year-old boy was Mr Bachchan. But the moment I saw him in makeup, I couldn’t see Amitabh Bachchan anywhere. That was when I transformed into being Auro’s mother.”Ask her about the recent reports of her doing Mani Ratnam’s next film opposite none other than the actor with whom she shared a passionate kiss with in Guru — Madhavan — and the pretty actress is left wide-mouthed. “That’s a big surprise, but a pleasant one,” she says, looking rather taken aback. “But if Mani sir approaches me, I would love to do it. I’d love to do a nice love story with him; he is the master of love films — no one gets those romantic moments better than him.”Whether she gets to sizzle with Madhavan or not, Vidya Balan is eagerly waiting for December when No One Killed Jessica releases. “It’s the first time Rani Mukherjee and I are getting together and it was wonderful working with her. Working on the film was an enriching experience,” she smiles. Based on the Jessical Lal murder case, the film is a thriller with the director’s interpretation of what might have happened, with certain amount of fictionalisation. “For now, Chennai will see me only in this film,” shesays, clearly refuting rumours of a Kollywood entry. “There are no Tamilfilms on the anvil; I’ve received some offers, but somehow, itdoesn’t work out in terms of scripts or dates. I hope something does workout because my parents too are keen on me doing a Tamil film,” she says.Speaking about Tamil films not happening, one may think the actress isstill smarting from her jinxed attempts in Run and Manasellam, but no, she saysshe’s happy she was rejected. “I’m glad because better thingswere in store for me. By better, I don’t mean Hindi cinema, but just thatI got better opportunities — the opportunity to grow as a person and anactor.”With everyone eager to hear things first hand onmicroblogging sites, Vidya Balan says she prefers to let the birds do thetweeting. “I would like my work to speak for me. Beyond my work, I havenothing much to say,” she signs off. Check out Vidya Balan’s homepageFollow us on Twitter for more stories