Hindi cinema is moving ahead by celebrating the ideal woman: Vidya Balan
Actress Vidya Balan says the idea of a “perfect woman” has vanished and women are being portrayed as mere individuals in the world around us. His upcoming film “Jalsa” is another addition to the list of films in which the 43-year-old actor plays flawed women after “The Dirty Picture”, “Ishqiya” and “Shakuntala Devi”. In “Jalsa”, to be released on Prime Video on March 18, she plays Maya Menon, a TV journalist who is constantly in search of the truth with shades of grey.
“Earlier it was the ideal, the ideal woman, today there is no ideal. Because we are being recognized as individuals in the world around us. So, you are going to see a lot of diversity in the representation of women.
Balan said, “Today in films we are accepting the shortcomings, they are great as they are. Because we have realized that the extraordinary rises from the ordinary. We are telling the stories of ordinary women, what happened. ” Interview.
According to the National Award winner, women should be seen as individuals who have dreams and desires, unlike one’s daughter, sister or mother.
“… someone is finding his voice, finding his purpose or someone struggling to meet his needs. But each of us has an identity beyond… we are continuing that We are individuals, we are not women as a category.
He said, “We are not sheep, goats. We are all humans. We are people. Now we are exploring it. But that’s because it’s happening in the real world. Look at the profession we entered.” “
Citing the example of “Gangubai Kathiawadi” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the actor said that he is excited that Alia Bhatt-Starrer emerged victorious at the ticket window. The domestic box office collection of the period drama, which released theatrically on February 25, earned Rs 102.68 crore on March 10, according to the makers.
“There are other filmmakers, writers and actors who have done this. And we are all one step ahead with every film now. Look what’s happening with ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’. How amazing it is that two years later when The cinemas have opened this a female oriented film which has rocked the box office!” Balan added.
Describing ‘Jalsa’, which reunites the actor with ‘Tumhari Sulu’ director Suresh Triveni, he said the film is one of the many “intimately personal stories” that are fast finding space on streamers.
“They are intimate personal stories about ordinary people like you and me. It’s not just larger-than-life heroes. It’s you and me who are being represented on screen. You don’t have to do anything heroic but your days. In today’s life, you can be the hero. We are feeling this in life and that’s why you are watching it onscreen.”
Billed as “a highly engaging and captivating tale of struggle”, “Jalsa” follows the life of a top-line journalist (Balan) and her cook, played by “Delhi Crime” star Shefali Shah. . The film is his third consecutive project to release on Prime Video after “Shakuntala Devi” and “Lion”, and the actor said that he always felt that “Jalsa” is meant for the over-the-top (OTT) platform.
“It is universal in storytelling. It reaches 240 countries at the same time. Also, today people are used to watching content in all languages, so language will not be a barrier. This is the best place to release ‘Jalsa’ Is.” he said.
She said, “I am a greedy actress and I want more and more people to see my work. I want my films to reach people all over the world.”
The actress, who reunited with Triveni after the 2017 film “Tumhari Sulu”, thanked the director for giving her challenging roles. In the comedy-drama, Balan played an aspiring housewife who becomes a radio jockey for a late-night relationship advice show.
“Suresh brought me something completely different from what he did before. He took me out of my comfort zone in ‘Tumhari Sulu’ and he has done it again this time.”
Manav Kaul, Rohini Hattangadi, Iqbal Khan, Vidhatri Bandi, Shrikant Mohan Yadav, Shafin Patel, and Surya Kasibhatla rounded out the cast of “Jalsa”.