The world at her feet

VIDYA BALAN, WHO RECENTLY BEDAZZLED WITH HER ACTING CHOPS IN THE RELATIONSHIP COMEDY DO AUR DO PYAAR, CHATS WITH SUMAN SHARMA ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND MORE

- SUMAN SHARMA

Talking to Vidya Balan has always been a delight. You feel like you are chatting with a real woman, who has lived and observed life closely. She wants to get to know you, would enquire about your family, would ask you about your take on a show or a film and would make sure you're comfortable before starting the interview. There is an old-world charm to her that's disarming, to say the least. And her frankness, her candour, too is refreshing. She doesn't have all the answers prepared down pat. She isn't reading from a script but is analysing your queries and answering them as truthfully as she can. Her observations are taken from life and not books and she candidly admits not knowing all the answers, hinting that we should celebrate mysteries too.

Excerpts from an engaging tetea-tete with the ace actress:

What attracted you to Do Aur Do Pyaar?

Primarily, the idea sounded attractive. It’s a bizarre situation for anyone to be in. I’ve always wondered how people manage extramarital affairs. It must be so confusing. Don’t you fear getting caught? Then I heard this story, and I was like… “Iss tarah ka extra-marital affair toh maine kabhi suna hi nahi hai, na filmon mein dekha hai.” So I thought it was very unique, which also makes it funny. I love the romantic comedy space and after 10 years, I am doing a romantic comedy. Because aaj kal love stories aur comedies dono hi tarah ki filmen zyada nahi ban rahi hain. (Nowadays, rom coms or comedies aren’t that much in vogue).

What’s your take on infidelity?