Vidya Balan talks about her journey with Hashtag

Vidya Balan returns to theatres with Neeyat, directed by Anu Menon, after her successful stint on digital with three super hits. Vidya is a very choosy actor and is one such actor who never takes up projects easily. Vidya answers a volley of generic questions with Likpika Varma.

After a long time coming on the big screen, what are the emotions you have right now?

I am excited and nervous, I am just praying that people should come to the theatres. Nowadays, you cannot predict anything, let’s hope it does well. I feel this film should be seen on the big screen. Some of the sweeping shots of the castle won’t allure you watching on your mobile phone or small screen.

When you watch a thriller film what are the ingredients you look for?

Unpredictability, and when you feel it’s going in a certain direction with a lot of red headings, then it becomes more interesting. You try to figure out what exactly is going to happen. The joy is when the storytelling outsmarts you.

I am competition with myself- VIDYA BALAN

Do you like to make changes to the script?

As we know various drafts are written before finalizing the script, we just like to work on the script together. Sometimes we work on it for betterment. Sometimes the energies of one and all involved in the filmmaking, but at times we turn blind to the flaws. So that’s the process which keeps us going.

What keeps you going?

I am hungry to work on something exciting also while working on the sets. Everything should interest and allure me. Since our industry is going through a tough time, people are not able to judge what to make and what not to make. Films are being offered but I have to get that feeling so to choose. I believe when the time will come, it will happen.

What is that particular skill you want to earn apart from acting?

I have always wanted to learn how to swim. Maybe I would like to learn an instrument. Also maybe horse riding.

How much do you believe in luck or hard work?

I believe fortune favours the brave, but you have to follow your instinct and do it. Luck is not something external, if you make the right decision then it will serve you very well. Then you will be lucky.

Do you look at any competition with anyone?

I have no competition with anyone. I have never compared my work to anyone else. My journey is mine, you learn as you experience it. For example, when you refuse to do any film and it does well, many question me how do you feel, I just respond by saying I don’t feel anything. Because I feel if I was in the film, it wouldn’t have been successful or the film or vice versa. It works both ways.

I am hungry to work on something exciting also while working on the sets. Everything should interest and allure me.

How do you feel, when you get a film which must have been offered to someone else and then offered to you?

I don’t feel anything. I guess – Daane Daane par likha hai khane wale ka naam. I remember reading reports about the film Namkeen, the first choice was Rekha ji and then Sharmila ji ended up doing its luck.

But Ishqiya came to you after it was offered to others, any comments?

Ishqiya was one film which came to me after being offered to many. It was my luck, guess it was an excellent opportunity and whatever you are destined for will come to you.

What are the challenges you face when you are taking up a role?

It’s just like I am trying to challenge myself and do it to the best of my abilities. I am well aware that sometimes it does well and may not work other times. The only thing I do is follow my instinct. I am meant to go through a film for whatever reason. Sometimes it may be a roaring success and sometimes it may be heartbreaking, all of which happens for a reason. I am constantly looking for challenging roles. But I have done 20-odd films, so it’s tough. Thankfully, I had the fortune of doing varieties of roles. At times when scripts are offered to me it fails to bring forth newness, which is why currently I have not said yes to any film. I have been grappling with an idea that I have not seen myself yet. But I have a film called ‘Lovers’ that will be released. I have said yes to one film that will start next year and will share it once I sign it.

1. I have no competition with anyone. I have never compared my work to anyone else. My journey is mine, you learn as you experience it.
2. I am meant to go through a film for whatever reason. Sometimes it may be a roaring success and sometimes it may be heartbreaking, all of which happens for a reason.
3. I believe fortune favours the brave, but you have to follow your instinct and do it. Luck is not something external, if you make the right decision then it will serve you very well.