Vidya Balan walks the ramp in NYC!

Page

Next Last

TheBlackJaguar

@TheBlackJaguar

Trailblazer

+ 5

Posted: 17 years ago

Discuss | Get latest news on your desktop

Vidya Balan walks the ramp in NYC!

Actress Vidya Balan, who stormed the Bollywood big-screen with her 2005 debut in Parineeta, recently did the catwalk for the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation's 27th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Long Island, New York. The fashion show was part of a fundraiser for cancer treatment in India. After strutting down the runway in one of designer duo Priya and Chintan's newest creations, Balan curled up in a hotel room armchair to chat with Trisha Sanghavi about contributing to a good cause, visiting New York City, and being a Bollywood star. Have you walked the runway before? Once before, as part of the Salaam-e-Ishq music release where all 12 of us, John [Abraham], Salman [Khan], Priyanaka [Chopra], Anil Kapoor, Juhi [Chawla]... walked on the ramp. It was part of the music release, but besides that, no. How did you feel just before walking on the ramp? Strangely, I wasn't. I wasn't nervous at all. I was, as a matter of fact, that was a different thing. We were all just having fun. Chintan said to me, "If I wanted a model, why would I have called you?" Text: Trisha Sanghavi | Photographs: Jay Mandal/On assignment Also Read: Deepika or Preity: Who makes a better face on TV?

Discuss | Get latest news on your desktop

Back

'I did not prepare for this at all'

Why did you decide to participate in this fashion show? Only because it was a cause that I was doing this for. Particularly, the Nargis Dutt Foundation has been doing great work in the field of cancer treatment. In Mumbai, there are many wards in hospitals that are named after Nargis Dutt because, obviously, the funding comes from the foundation. Here, the unique thing about this is with what happens in the US, they don't just send funds. They actually send out equipment that's required for cancer treatment. So, then you know by doing that I think they make sure the funds are not just siphoned off, which could happen, but here they go into the right hands. Did you prepare for the fashion show in any way at all? No. (Laughs) Chintan told me, he said, "Just go. Have a nice time." So I just walked. I think it's more about interaction with people and I hope I did justice to their work. [Smiles at Chintan across the room].

Also Read: Bollywood's Sexiest Pin-up Girls!

Discuss | Get latest news on your desktop

Back

'I don't think I could have done anything else'

Why did you begin acting? Why do we have water? (Laughs) You know, it's not something I have thought about -- and I don't mean to sound dramatic. I don't think I could have done anything else. I would have been a disaster, so I'm just glad God made it happen for me. I'm a student of sociology. I got my masters in sociology, but I think all of that was somewhere in preparation to you know, because I was acting all along. I was doing television. You know, it just teaches you to believe in the possibility of possibilities and that's what we're required to do as actors all the time. Why do you think Bollywood appeals to so many? That's very difficult to say. I think, one, we have a very unique style of filmmaking. It's truly indigenous. It's reflective of our culture, our music, our dance, the clothes, and everything. Across the world, especially in European and American cinema, you don't get to see such cultural diversity. Maybe in Italian cinema, maybe in Spanish, maybe a little bit in French, but even then, there's a certain homogenisation, whereas Indian film is standup art. Maybe it's a little dramatic culture we reflect in our films. (Laughs). But, nonetheless, its uniqueness is what appeals to people. In the picture: Vidya with Chintan Also Read: What do Katrina, Mallika have in common?

Back

Discuss | Get latest news on your desktop

Back

'I'd like to be known as a good actor... even after I'm dead and gone'

What have you been doing in New York? Lots of things. I've done lots of things. I've spent leisurely afternoons in Central Park and also gone partying with friends. I went for a very fun Salsa Night at some Mexican club, and these are not things I do in Mumbai. Most importantly, I've been walking around the city like I own it. I don't get to walk in Mumbai, so, you know, I've enjoyed that bit a great, great deal. Nargis and Sunil Dutt left their legacy through this charity foundation. How do you want to leave your mark on the world? I really don't know. One, I'd of course, first and foremost, I'd like to be known as a good actor at any given point in time, even after I'm dead and gone and besides that I hope I've left enough children in the world to carry on the legacy. (Laughs). No, but I really don't know at this point in time, as long as I'm able to lead a full life. I don't even know whether, you know, I'm bothered about what happens thereafter. Of all the characters you've portrayed, is there one you can relate to the most? As actors you always connect with, maybe sometimes the complete character, as in every nuance, every trait, every characteristic you identify with, then you're lucky. But a lot of times you don't. But there are certain nuances, certain situations, certain moments that you always relate to. So, I think with every character I've related to a greater or lesser degree. So far, I've never portrayed a character that I didn't believe in at all.

Also Read: Dia Mirza: From sweet to super sexy!

Discuss | Get latest news on your desktop

Back

'Ishq Kiya is a film I start work on next'

How do you go about picking a role? What attracts you to a role? I think it's just my gut. One, in terms of the choice of film, I think, it's very important that my role is integral to the story. So, it's not like if you take me out of the film, the film still moves on. Then, you know, I'd rather not be part of that film. So, which means it has to have substance, it has to be very integral to the plot, even if it's a one-scene, it has to be integral to the plot. Besides that, there are various other things. You think of the director, what kind of rapport you could share with him if you don't already. Who's the banner who's doing the film? Who's your co-actor? Who's, you know, the team of technicians that's working on it? There are other factors, but, most importantly, my gut guides me. What are you working on next? Ishq Kiya is a film I start work on next. It's a very interesting project with Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, and me. It's being produced by Vishal Bhardwaj, and his assistant Abhishek Chaubey is going to be directing it. So for now, that's what I go back to... It is very different for me as an actor. I think it's just a different film. People ask me, "Are you in love with two people?" It's nothing of the sort. Vishal Bhardwaj always comes up with something that you're not expecting, so wait.

Also Read: Meet the hottest cover girl!

Edited by nitica_82 - 17 years ago