It was fantastic working with Rani: Vidya

Vidya Balan clarifies about her number in Santosh Sivan’s Urumi.
Vidya Balan shows no sign of fatigue, as reported by tabloids recently. Did she break down on the sets of Kahani in Kolkata because she was overworked? “That’s completely untrue. Do you see any sing of exhaustion in me? By god’s grace, I’m an optimist. Sometimes one feels a little exhausted, but that’s fine,” she says.
No One Killed Jessica with Rani Mukerji is her next release. Is she anticipating any protests after the release of the film, which deals with the Jessica Lal murder case? “Not really. The case is very fresh in public memory. Everyone’s pretty much aware of it. The film is the director’s representation of what happened. It’s an entertaining dramatic thriller about a case we all know of,” maintains Vidya. Rumours of a cold war with Rani on the sets are rife, but Vidya says, “It was fantastic working with Rani. We had a great time on the sets.”
She’ll soon be seen in her first item number in Santosh Sivan’s Urumi. Pictures from the film show her in fuller form. Did she gain a few pounds for the song? “I know Malayali women are supposed to look voluptuous, but I didn’t gain weight for this. I’m completely thrilled, excited and ecstatic and will let my hair down and have fun. There’s a bit of belly dancing, Mohiniattam and even sword fighting in the song. It’s completely different from what I have done so far. But I’d call it a special appearance more than an item number,” claims Vidya.
She almost always picks a saree for her public appearances. Is it to pre-empt the encore of flak she received for not being able to carry off western attire previously? “I love the saree, especially the Kanjeevaram. It makes me feel sexy and sensuous. But I wear jeans with long shirts all the time. Even while promoting Paa, I wore casuals,” says Vidya.
She’s been inundated with awards ever since Paa. Does that increase the pressure to perform? “No. I look at each day as a new day and a new beginning.”Check out Vidya Balan’s homepage
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