‘Women-centric films are here to stay’

She’s an enigma on screen, and watching her perform is always a treat for any cinelover.Vidya Balan’s just released Begum Jaan sees her in a never-before avatar, as a madame of a brothel. Here too she keeps her fans and critics enthralled with her powerful act. Balan believes that the rise of woman-centric cinema is quite a positive trend, and is inspired by women who are real life heroes. In this interview, the National Award winning actress reveals that the camera is her first love and she has no plans of getting behind it.

What drew you towards Begum Jaan?

● It was the character for me! Begum Jaan is just so powerful! She is fierce and has the attitude of a tiger. She is almost intimidating. She is fearless. I have never played a character like this before; somebody who is so comfortable being powerful! I've never seen a character like her on the screen I don't even know a person off the screen who is so comfortable, at all times with being powerful. She is just so strong, almost shamelessly powerful!

You had to use quite strong language for your character in the movie. Was it difficult?

● Can I be totally honest? No! (laughs) It wasn't difficult for me. It wasn't like abusing just for the sake of abusing; a woman who is the madame of a brothel, a woman who comes from that sort of background would naturally have coarse and crude tongue. And I've never got to

abuse in my life frankly speaking, maybe once or twice in Ishqiya, so it was fun! It was like giving vent to all the anger in me.

It becomes essential to bring in the originality...

● Absolutely...To be true to the essence of the world of the character, I had to be in this mode. She is not a 'tawayaf' who would speak chaste Urdu or be poetic, she is not like Umrao Jaan, she is the ma'am of a brothel, someone who caters to carnal pleasure. It is not her job to be all nafeez and mannerly. She trades in pleasure and it is very natural for her to abuse.

How do you find Srijit Mukerji as a director?

● He is an incredible director. I was aware of his work in Bengal but after I worked with him I realised that he is fantastic.What's interesting is his deep understanding of women, in the story of the film because he is the writer director, secondly it was just amazing the kind of preparation he put his cast and crew to, not just the actors, but also the camera department, the arts department, costumes-make-up almost every-body, so when we reached the sets there was no wastage of time in terms of what are we were going to do and how are we were going do it. It was incredible, I have been in projects where there is a lot of preparation, but this is at another level. It commands respect.

So, can we expect you in any of Srijit’s Bengali project?

● I don't know. About that you will have to ask him. He has not offered me anything until now. We are just eating and breathing Begum Jaan. I hope you all will see it and appreciate it.

How was it sharing the screen with Ila Arun?

● Ila ji is the oldest child on the sets, or should I say she was the youngest member. She is so much fun! She has done theatre extensively. It's just her ability to transport herself into the world, or to live a moment, it's so effortless. It's amazing! She can switch between characters so easily! I had great fun shooting with her.

Lately a lot of woman-centric cinema has come up in Bollywood...

● I remember when I did Ishqiya in 2010 there were hardly any movies that were being made which were women-centric. I remember that it was almost an aberration, and now you have like six woman-centric movies in one-and-a-half month. It is a positive trend and it is partly because more and more women are living their lives on their own terms.They are emerging heroes because they have overcome obstacles and stereotypes; these shackles that have always held them back. I feel that it is its representation on screen also.These stories inspire the writers to write such scripts and the audiences are more open to watching them in theatres. It is a great time for female centric-cinema and I think it is here to stay.

How would you rate Kangana as an actress considering the fact that she has been an active proponent in the feminist wave?

● Kangana is a fabulous actor. I have enjoyed her work as an actor. She is so much fun to watch!

Our cinema is changing in terms of the movies that we are produce. Who or what do you think is leading this change?

● It is all of us. I think we are living in a time of change, and it the society, the environment and the things around us that are changing and this reflects in our cinema.

What’s your method of acting?

● I don't think that I have a method since I am not a trained actor. And every film is different, so I would like to sit with the director, spending a lot of time with the director understanding the character, the world and the story. There is no method.

After giving your 12 successful years to the industry, any plans of getting into script writing or direction?

● No... I don't have those talents! Honestly speaking I just love being in front of the camera. I love playing different roles and I think that it’s the other department.

Your advice for anyone looking to start a career in acting...

● That there is no one rule to acting and there is no one road to stardom.You have to create your own path.

If I ask you to describe Vidya in short.

● Indescribable.