Vidya Balan in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (LRMB)
Its been more than one year since Vidya Balan, 24, made her debut in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parineeta, as the demure but spunky Lolita. The film won critical and commercial acclaims and Balan's performance drew the attention of not just critics but Bollywood producers.
Surprisingly, we haven't seen Balan on screen since then. One hopes that has more to do with the discretion that she is exercising in picking her roles, as she steps into the turbulent mainstream of Bollywood, and less with the time that she is spending basking in the glory of her first performance, collecting awards not more challenging roles.
Vidya Balan in 'Parineeta'
Balan herself realizes the dangers when she admits that it is "...time for another reality check"
She plays Jhanvi, Munna's love interest and a radio jockey, in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (LRMB). It is difficult to discern what may have prompted Balan to opt for the role considering how sharply the film is likely to be focused on Munna (Sanjay Dutt).
Explaining the rationale for her decision to take on the role, in a conversation with CNN-IBN, Balan admits to being a huge fan of Munnabhai having seen the film numerous times in theatres and on TV. The film she says, "Is not a cult...it is a genre in itself."
She considers herself lucky to have got the role in LRMB and explains passionately, "...it is not a sequel (to Munnabhai) it is an episode on Munna's life."
Allaying fears about an inconsequential role like, the one essayed by Gracy Singh in Munnabhai, Balan says, "...there is substance to the character...I play a radio jockey and an interesting one in fact."
Somewhat more lightly she promotes the film by saying, "Everyone is in love with Munnabhai and he is in love with me!"
Balan takes her roles seriously, even if they might appear frivolous. For her role in LRMB she spent time being trained by Radios jockeys.
Vidya Balan plays the role of a radio jockey in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (LRMB)
"One always thought that playing a radio jockey was so simple...you just had to stand in front of the mike but when I went there and saw what it took it really scared the living daylights out of me," she said. "...I went a couple of times and interacted with them and I realized what I had to do. Then it became a little easier."
Vidya Balan is also due to be seen in yet another relatively minor role in Mani Ratnam's Guru which features Abhishek and Aishwarya in lead roles. Once again Balan is unfazed by the fact that she gets to play second fiddle to Aishwarya, so impressed is she by the character she plays and the fact that the film gives her an opportunity to work with Mani Ratman.
"Anyone would have wanted to work with Mani Ratnam....When I heard the character it completely blew me..." she said. "It is a small character in the film...but I think what is important is if you get characters like these even once in your career...and with a director like Mani Ratnam it makes it so much more special."
Clearly Balan is tentative about entering mainstream Bollywood. She wants to become a star but is not prepared to let go of good character roles.
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