"I play Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant lady in search of her husband. It's a beautiful story, and it was humbling when Sujoy told me he wrote the character keeping me in mind," said Vidya, still basking in the glory of The Dirty Picture.

From wearing a red sari, Vidya is now going around in a pregnant avatar. "It's a good way to make the audience relate to your character and get to know the character better.

If I have acted in a movie, I'll do everything that is required of me to promote it well," she explained. So how tough was it playing preggers? "I've tried to do the best I could.

When I was younger, I had keenly observed how pregnant women walk, and I used to ape them. I'm glad that practice came to some good use now," she laughed.

Talk to her about her love nest gifted to her by Siddharth Roy Kapoor, and she chooses to evade the questions, but says that she believes in the institution of marriage and that a time will come when tying the knot would be the right thing to do. "I'm in a happy space.

I won't delay marriage. I'll give in to it when I'm ready for it.

It's an important institution and would be a very sacred part of my life," said Vidya (less)

"I'm thrilled to actually finally be able to talk about it. It's a project that I've kind of been attached to for a long time.

"It's called Kill Your Darlings and it's a story about a murder that was kind of the catalyst to forming the Beat Generation, so it's a film about Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Lucien Carr..

. who was a really instrumental figure in all of their lives.

"Potentially, I think, it could be a really great film and it's already got a really great cast," Radcliffe said. Actors Chris Evans and Jesse Eisenberg are also reportedly cast in the movie.

Tweet (less)

We expected a good response, but I think it's been far beyond anyone's expectations,? the 34-year-old actor said here at a special screening of the film. ?Don 2: The King Is Back? released in 41 countries Friday, and hit screens in Britain Thursday.

?Everyone liked it. I think you know once the movie works, people like things about the movie, then they like everything about the movie,? said Kunal, who has shared screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan for the first time in the movie.

Kunal made his Bollywood debut with M.F.

Hussain's ?Meenaxi: A tale of two cities?, but tasted success with ?Rang De Basanti? the following year. He has worked in films like ?Hattrick?, ?Laaga Chunari Mein Daag?, ?Aaja Nachle? besides making special appearances in ?Bachna Ae Haseenon? and ?Welcome To Sajjanpur?, and was last seen in "Lamhaa" (less)

When zoOm asked her why she wouldn't like to add Khan to her name instead, she surprised us by saying, "Well, if I change my name to Khan, a certain Kapur will be upset." When we probed, she even confessed that she wanted to get 'dirty' with a certain SRK.

We got it girl. But can we expect your surname to change to Kapur anytime soon? Now that's the 'dirt' we're digging for! (wink) (less)

Asked if she was confident or sceptical about doing the movie, she said, "I had my share of questions. There was one thing that I knew - that if I was going to do it then I must give it my all.

If I felt I won't be able to give it my all then I won't have done the film." "I am glad I did not let it pass and did this film because it has been life-changing for me in more ways than one," added the 34-year-old.

Vidya has bagged the Best Actress trophy for The Dirty Picture at almost all award functions, but ask which co-actor's work she admires besides her and pat comes the reply Priyanka Chopra. "I like Priyanka.

..

she is an actress whose work I like. She is always trying to do something different which I appreciate.

I am not going by any of her particular performance but I like Priyanka." Vidya is touched by the appreciation coming from fans and industry friends.

"I feel humbled that people think I must get Best Actress award. My first award was for my debut (Hindi) film ( Parineeta ).

It will always remain special. It feels nice to receive an award, it is a form of appreciation which remains with you forever," she said.

This year, Vidya will be seen in Sujoy Ghosh's Kahani , where she plays a pregnant lady staying abroad, who comes to India in search of her husband. " Kahani is a mystery film and I won't be wrong if I say that in Hindi cinema we have not had a mystery film for a long time.

Kahani is edgy, pacey and we have got great response from the promos," she said. Tweet (less)

. Is there more in store for Bollywood's thinking actress? Life is currently a bed of roses for Vidya Balan .

She ruled the roost in 2011. And the precision with which she did it almost seems like she had it planned.

She started with No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ) in January last year and ended it with a bang with The Dirty Picture (TDP) in December. Both were biopics; in one, she played the subdued Sabrina Lal, sister of the slain model Jessica Lal; and in the other she played garrulous cabaret girl Silk Smitha .

Both characters were far removed from each other and what Vidya brought to them was her expertise as an actor, making Sabrina and Silk as real as one can get. While other top league actresses concentrated on being some Khan's arm candy on screen or chose money over matter; Vidya, with her immense self confidence, chose the path of National Award-winning actresses like Tabu and Konkana Sen Sharma , in her career choices.

On the personal front, she found love. The producer of NOKJ, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Vidya are now reportedly an item and will marry sometime in 2012, according to the grapevine.

Speaking on the occasion of her 34th birthday, Milan adds, "Vidya is the new braveheart in town. She has raw talent mixed with courage of conviction - this heady mix makes her a director's delight.

Hers is the only way to be in our chaotic industry. I would tell you: 'follow your gut and unleash you talent.

' I can guarantee more memorable performances in store for her, million of fans worldwide and many awards for her shelf!" Reason: replicating that kind of euphoria twice over could prove tough. One is sure that when Vidya celebrated her birthday on January 1, this thought must have most certainly crossed her mind (less)

"I'm comfortable with my body," Radcliffe told Heat magazine. However, the actor also admits he will never be able to compete with Harry Potter co-star Rupert Grint's muscular body.

"I'm not going to try to compete with Rupert on the arms front. His dad is a big guy, so if anyone was going to get the proper muscleman build, it was Rupert.

"You'd have to search pretty hard to find a more handsome ginger. He's also a dude.

I wish I could be that calm. I'm lucky to have found an industry where this level of hyperactivity is encouraged.

Otherwise I'd just be a f****** nuisance," he added. Tweet (less)

Uma Thurman kicked a** and was better than most action heroes. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Amazing effects and great action.

One of the best films to come out of HK in the last decade. House Of Flying Daggers: Beautifully shot and with great sound effects.

Every rain drop was audible. Poetry in motion! Sholay: One of the all time best spaghetti westerns to come out of India.

Best screenplay, super action, 70 mm entertainment and of course, Amitabh Bachchan! Deewar: Although not that much of an action film, the godown action sequence with Peter is so memorable that I'd list the film only for that one fight. And again, of course the angry young Vijay.

Enter the Dragon: The first of the martial arts biggies from Hong kong to throw up a big hollywood star, the legend Bruce lee. Rocky: Raw power coupled with sex appeal gave birth to the ultimate action star Sylvester Stallone and the underlying emotional turmoil of his character makes the film a dramatic treat.

Desperadoes: A small budget film with typical Mexican spaghetti action and the chemistry between its lead pair Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek took the film to another level. Phool Aur Kaante: Rise of another action star Ajay Devgan.

I still remember his entry in it, straddled on two superbikes. Robot: Not only am I a huge fan of the superstar Rajnikanth but also this is the first Indian film I saw with action sequences that had such extraordinary special effects.

Dabangg: Salman Khan on an adrenaline high! Loved the action and his style. Have seen it thrice and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Rambo: Again a franchise of Sly Stallone which was top class muscle and action with a back story of a misled mercenary. Ghayal: No action list can be complete without Sunny Deol.

Street fighting with raw emotions and no frills, cables and special effects. Pure 'Jat' power.

XXX: Van Diesel hits paydirt with this high octane action flick. Perfect blend of high class car muscle, sexy chicks and steroid bodies! All James Bond Movies: When it comes to cool action, gizmos, style and sex, you can't beat Bond! Terminator: Arnold Schwarzenegger .

Big body, big action, big entertainment! Ghajini: Boy next door to pure muscle. Aamir never fails to surprise.

Built a body of dreams! Just to see him shirtless I would see Ghajini, and no, I have no such tendencies! (less)

Vidya Balan's " Kahaani ", which will be releasing soon, will have a novel version. If all goes well, it should release by the end of this year.

Says Advaita Kala , the author of Almost Single , "I had written the story of "Kahaani". I have lived in Kolkata as an outsider and "Kahaani" was set in the city.

Sujoy Ghosh, the director of "Kahaani", wrote the screenplay for the film. Now, I am waiting for "Kahaani" to release as a novel.

" Though Advaita isn't sure if she is the first one to release a novel after a film's release, the author is sure that it is a unique achievement. Advaita started writing "Kahaani" in 2009.

The story was ready by February 2010. "It was a 185-page work.

I have written something that was very detailed. I always thought that "Kahaani" was meant to be a novel.

I wrote it based on my memories of the city. While shooting "Kahaani" in Kolkata, I also made some more additions to the novel.

I was narrating it from a woman's point of view. While my first novel had a more funny tone, this one has a very different voice.

As a joke, I say both my novels are about women's search for their husbands," she says. Does she want to use a still of Vidya from the movie for the book's cover? "That's a decision I'd let my publishers take.

I don't get into all that," she insists. What about criticism that "Kahaani" might be an Indian version of "Kill Bill"? "Let's just wait for the film to release.

That will answer all questions. As for me, I am busy writing my next novel," she signs off (less)

1Enter the Dragon: Bruce Lee A legend in every sense of the word, this film opened my eyes and changed my path. In fact, Bruce Lee inspired my life to the point that I fear if he had never existed neither would I! My favourite martial arts film always.

2Die Hard: Bruce Willis Every young man's Saturday night action flick. Boys wanted to be him, men wanted to copy him and women wanted to be with him! 3Predator: Arnold Schwarzenegger The film that stopped people from trekking in the jungle.

Arnold's most deadliest film till date, it had an amazing concept and visuals that made even the bravest men cringe and the woman run to the kitchen. Awesome action and ultimate climax.

Schwarzenegger's finest! 4Leon: Jean Reno The most touching sniper film Hollywood has ever made. Jean Reno introduced to the world to the soft side of a killer.

It was also probably Natalie Portman's best role ever. One of the only action films to actually bring a tear to many a man's eyes.

5Kung Fu Hustle: Stephen Chow The funniest, most extreme Kung Fu film I've ever seen. The characters were outstanding, the idea superb, the axe dance unforgettable, the old landlady still haunts many husbands, the action and effects brought a new light to the whole martial arts film.

6Ong Bak Hero: Tony Jaa Groundbreaking emotional action. Tony Jaa is an action God, his talent, his skills, his speed is unbeatable.

He makes us martial arts lovers look slow and non-versatile. He is really inspiring.

It's a film I'll never forget. 7District 13: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle and Tony D'Amario Greatest Parkour film that few have seen but it is extraordinary in the world of raw action.

These guys are fearless, insanely brave, immensely talented, and inspirational to all adventurous people. They made a film many action heroes would die for, but would probably die trying.

8 Kick Ass: Aaron Johnson , Nicholas Cage and Chloe Grace Mortez The most unexpected action film in a long time. I love this film because I remember taking my son for it and we had no idea it was going to be this good.

The girl is outstanding and kicks ass more then most guys can. 9Rambo: Sylvester Stallone This list wouldn't be complete without either Sylvester or Rambo in it.

The Italian that brought silent anger to the world of action, he was mean, fierce, and made bandannas look cool. He was the underdog that made everyone sit up and appreciate him.

Raw, real, a genuine all time favourite action film. 10Kill Bill Vol 1&2: Uma Thurman One of Quentin Tarantino's finest and the greatest female action film ever.

I've never seen an untrained Hollywood actress perform martial arts as well as her. The passionate vengeance in this film is addictive.

The world desperately wanted to know what happens next. 11Sholay: Amitabh Bachchan , Dharmendra Deol and Sanjeev Kumar It is the perfect mixture of action, romance, drama, acting and changed millions of lives.

Being a small boy, I remember doing so many household chores just so I could earn enough pocket money to sneak off and go see it over and over again. 12 Bourne Identity Trilogy: Matt Damon The film brought heroism to being a spy.

..

the 007 of recent times. The kind of expensive action these films featured still hasn't been copied.

Matt came into his own in these films and made boys stay at home at weekends to watch it. 13Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang The most cinematic Chinese film ever made.

It changed the face of stunts, brought techniques that nobody knew about in India. I think the world is still trying to copy what they created 10 years ago.

It had talent and grace you'll never witness in kick ass films. 14Khiladi 420: Akshay Kumar The most dangerous action film I've shot in my career yet! The stunts I performed in this film are ones I swore I would never do again.

I'm lucky I survived the first time around! It gave a boost to my career, as people recognised that I was prepared to do anything for my films! 15Kick Ass: Aaron Johnson, Nicholas Cage and Chloe Grace Mortez The most unexpected action film in a long time. I love this film because I remember taking my son for it and we had no idea it was going to be this good.

The girl is outstanding and kicks ass more then most guys can (less)

For 'The Dirty Picture', Balaji has come up with a dedicated promotion plan for B and C centres, given the film's huge mass appeal. "During her tours to Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow and others, to promote the film, Vidya Balan will wear a sari purchased from a local shop", says a source associated with the film.

"Not just that, the most famous local tailor from each city will get a chance to stitch a matching blouse for the actor". The promos of the film in which Vidya is seen in sexy blouses and stylish saris, have been attracting a lot of attention.

Particularly, her look in the red sari on the lines of what Dimple Kapadia had worn in Sagar. Now tailors in these cities have been clamoring for a chance to stitch Vidya's outfit on hearing the news of her visit (less)

Speaking on the initiative, Sameer Rao, CEO, Vinod Chopra Films said, "Our filmography is testimony to three decades of commitment to achieving excellence in cinema. We believe that the starting point for every great film is in an outstanding story.

We are entering into this initiative, in collaboration with Talenthouse India, to discover new screenwriting talent who have the potential to contribute to the creation and development of our brand of cinema." Arun Mehra, CEO-Talenthouse India said, "The internet is buzzing with creativity & talent.

Talenthouse is a platform that looks to source this talent and bring it to the right audience. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has always backed creative excellence and this collaboration with Talenthouse will help him identify that genius from the millions of aspirants.

" The submission deadline for this hunt is 22 nd January 2011. The voting for the entries will begin from 23 rd January 2011 and the winner will be announced on 15 th February 2011 (less)

Sphere: Related Content Posted in (less)

The song that is from the Tamil film, "3" has Vidya swaying to the number whenever she hears it. "It is like, whenever I hear it, I start swaying with the beats and the lyrics.

..

I think that was the initial intention of Dhanush, to get people to sway to his swinging, mad number," laughs Vidya (less)

At a recently held awards night, SRK even performed a medley where Vidya danced with him on Sooraj hua Madhyam. The couple looked terrific together and onlookers claimed they should pair up for a romantic drama.

Shah Rukh in his signature flirtatious manner acknowledged, "I'd love to work with Vidya too. She is a good actor and hopefully we'll work together soon.

" From joking about willing to marry Vidya and making her become Vidya Balan Khan to Vidya loving SRK's photo the most from a recently launched calendar, this couple will be a delight to watch! (less)

..

It will take a while before it finally takes off. When I was offered the role, I thought I might not be the right choice for it, but then I accepted it because it was very interesting," Kunal told IANS.

"Doga" is a comic book character. The story is about Suraj, an orphan brought up by Daku Halkan Singh who treats him like a dog.

To seek revenge, Suraj becomes Doga and hides his identity behind a dog mask. He's a one-man army against organised crime.

The 34-year-old, who is gymming religiously to sport a bulkier look for the role, doesn't believe in crash diets to attain a particular body type. "Well, honestly I don't believe in crash diets or other fads.

..

I think if you are working towards a body type, you need to give yourself enough time and set realistic goals, so that you don't have to do anything that will harm your body," he added. The 34-year-old, who got recognition after his acclaimed performance in the hit film "Rang De Basanti", went on to do films like "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag", "Aaja Nachle", "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and "Lamha", among others.

Meanwhile, the actor, last seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Don 2: The King Is Back", is currently shooting for the movie "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana". "We live in a country obsessed with food, yet ironically, we have never made a film about food.

This is a film about a large Punjabi joint family, and a magical recipe that goes missing. It's a family entertainer, but it has enough twists and turns and pushes the boundaries enough, for even someone like Anurag Kashyap to be interested.

It's our spin on the family entertainer," he said (less)

Great!," said the actress in an interview. After having been seen in graceful and classy roles like Parineeta and Paa , Vidya suprised everyone when she decided to play a sex symbol in Milan Luthria's The Dirty Picutre , but it was not a cakewalk for her.

"I would have to say that Silk (her character name in the film) has been an extremely demanding, exhausting, tiring and yet very fulfilling and exhilarating role for me to have played." "It's like a workout.

Sometimes you kill yourself during the workout and you feel dead after that. But it's also extremely exhilarating and there is a sense of adrenalin rush after the workout and that is how I feel after this film," Vidya, 32, said.

It may have been an exhausting role but at the same time, Vidya thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing an actress of the 1980s and 1990s. "Films in those times were full of masala and entertainment.

Songs and dance used to start at any point in the film amidst pots, colours and oranges. I have done all that in this film, so all my wishes are fulfilled," she said.

Vidya started her career with Parineeta , an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's book. After that she did glamorous roles in Heyy Babyy and Kismet Konnection , but her fans liked her more in films like No One Killed Jessica .

This is not for the first time that Vidya is doing something unconventional. Even in Ishqiya , she played a woman who oozes sensuality and mouthed expletives to make her role convincing.

She seems to be experimenting further in that direction with The Dirty Picture , which is releasing on Dec 2. In the film, she will be seen romancing Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor.

After The Dirty Picture , Vidya has Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani opposite Emraan. Tweet (less)

Asked if she was confident or sceptical about doing the movie, she said, "I had my share of questions. There was one thing that I knew - that if I was going to do it then I must give it my all.

If I felt I won't be able to give it my all then I won't have done the film." "I am glad I did not let it pass and did this film because it has been life-changing for me in more ways than one," added the 34-year-old.

Vidya has bagged the Best Actress trophy for The Dirty Picture at almost all award functions, but ask which co-actor's work she admires besides her and pat comes the reply Priyanka Chopra. "I like Priyanka.

..

she is an actress whose work I like. She is always trying to do something different which I appreciate.

I am not going by any of her particular performance but I like Priyanka." Vidya is touched by the appreciation coming from fans and industry friends.

"I feel humbled that people think I must get Best Actress award. My first award was for my debut (Hindi) film ( Parineeta ).

It will always remain special. It feels nice to receive an award, it is a form of appreciation which remains with you forever," she said.

This year, Vidya will be seen in Sujoy Ghosh's Kahani , where she plays a pregnant lady staying abroad, who comes to India in search of her husband. " Kahani is a mystery film and I won't be wrong if I say that in Hindi cinema we have not had a mystery film for a long time.

Kahani is edgy, pacey and we have got great response from the promos," she said. Tweet (less)

All of a sudden, we see Vidya Balan opting for different kinds of roles..

. I am on a trip of playing different people - living their lives, fiction or real through the characters I play.

And these are the people who are so not like me. And why shouldn't I play these characters? I am getting these opportunities and I am grabbing them.

A film has to have something beyond the regular song and dance for me. You know what, I want people to come out after watching each and every film of mine and say, 'This is not the Vidya we know' or 'This is not the Vidya we saw last time'.

But you refused Vishal Bhardwaj's offer of Daayan..

. There wasn't much for me to do in Daayan.

And then Vishal did not even inform you that you were not a part of Ishqiya sequel. The producers did.

Was that revenge? I don't know about revenge. But yes, Shemaroo informed me.

Anyways, I had been wondering what I would do in Dedh Ishqiya. If you have seen Ishqiya, the two guys (Naseer and Arshad) had met Krishna (myself) along the way.

They sure would have moved on in the sequel. But theek hai.

I have no hard feelings on not being chosen for Dedh Ishqiya. Coming back to your 'trip' of playing different characters, it seems like this is the same trip Rekha was on.

Or have you become the female Aamir Khan ? To a certain extent, yes. And didn't Rekhaji do it beautifully? She played so many interesting, different yet commercially viable characters.

As for the second part of your question, thanks for the compliment. Whenever I have to take a risky decision, I think of Aamir and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Those two simply defy rules. But on both counts, I still have to go a long way yaar.

Still, how did you do The Dirty Picture? You are such a shy and inhibited person. Were you comfortable sitting with your parents when the promos went on air? Well, I always tell my parents everything I do.

So they knew that in The Dirty Picture, I was playing a role that was..

..

(thinks hard for too long) Blasphemous? No, not blasphemous. Risky is the word.

But they knew that I was in safe hands. They had seen Milan Luthria's work, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

And they knew Ekta since my Hum Paanch days. But yes, I did feel awkward sitting with them when the promos were first telecast.

However cool and evolved I maybe, I am never going to coochie-coo with my boyfriend in front of them. Hence, watching my intimate scenes with the actors, along with my parents was never going to be easy.

By boyfriend you mean Siddharth Roy Kapoor . So, what's his take on The Dirty Picture? No.

He doesn't have any issues with my work. You had to use prosthetics in The Dirty Picture.

How was the experience? Well, all I can say is that I have worked with Amitabh Bachchan in Paa. After that, if I say using prosthetics was difficult, I would sound spoilt.

So I won't say. But you are seriously getting bolder.

What if Raj Kapoor was alive and offered you Mandakini's role in Ram Teri Ganga Maili? I would have loved to work with Rajji. But that's not what we're asking.

..

(Smiles) You! Well, I don't think he would have made Ram Teri Ganga Maili in today's times. But yes, I must say that I would have loved to do his Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

Bipasha had objected to your on-screen pairing with John Abraham. Now that the two are no longer together, would you work with John? Would you want to work with John in Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Wadala? I was always okay to working with John.

I still maintain that. But I still have to meet Gupta for the narration.

Would you be okay to working with Shahid? Depends. The script will be the decisive factor.

Coming back to your boyfriend. There are rumours of you and Siddharth buying a house near Rizvi college in Bandra? Nonsense.

My house in Khar is pretty new. Ek toh sambhal loon.

But the two of you are rock steady. Some time back, there were rumours about the two of you getting married.

If I was in a relationship I couldn't talk about, I would never have been in it to begin with. I am in a very happy space with Siddharth.

Yes, I want to get married. I want to be a bride.

But I am not married yet (less)

"I did not find that act interesting. I felt very sad that I called him my brother.

The world can call Shah Rukh their brother, but I will never call him my brother," the 33-year-old said at the DVD launch here of her movie "The Dirty Picture". After taking away all the awards for her performance in "The Dirty Picture", Vidya is currently busy promoting her next film "Kahaani" (less)

The film, a thriller, begins with London-based, six-month pregnant Vidya Bagchi's arrival in Kolkata amidst the Durga Puja festivities. With nothing to rely on except fragments of her husband's memories, all clues seem to reach a dead end.

"Advaita is writing the story. She is going to write it a bit differently it won't be like the film.

..

as people would have seen the film ..

.the screenplay and would get bored.

She has a plan to write a novel in a different way..

.so that will be another interesting thing to wait and watch.

She has a different take..

.her thought process is totally different to the film, which will be good," Ghosh said in an interview.

Ask the director if he is fine with this idea of novel, and he says, "Ya..

its ok. As all she (Advaita) has in her mind is to write it.

I am sure she will not do anything that will harm the film." The film will hit cinema houses on March 9, while the novel should release by the end of this year.

Tweet (less)

..

remember it's all about the joy of giving this festive season. Eat, drink, give and make merry.

Have a Merry Christmas!" action star Akshay posted on his Twitter page. Former VJ Maria Goretti, wife of actor Arshad Warsi, has been cooking up lots of goodies for the festival.

She tweeted: "Dear Santa, peace, happiness, laughter and love to all my tweefriends..

. Please give them what their heart loves the most.

..

Merry Christmas." Lara, who is due to give birth to her first baby with tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi in February 2012, is excited about the festival.

"Christmas officially starting today!! Midnight mass..

. presents wrapped and ready to go under the tree, big family lunch tomorrow! Yeah!! Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful christmas! "May you always remain in the spirit of giving.

..

Of your time, your love and of yourselves!" tweeted Lara. Shilpa, who recently announced her pregnancy, said: "Missing London, roast turkey, Yorkshire puddings and mince pies with custard (yum) and decorating the christmas tree, usually Christmas is always there.

This time it won't be a white Christmas, but its still time to be merry..

. ho ho ho a very merry Christmas to all of you my tweetos.

..

Enjoy!" Actress Shruti Haasan wished: "Merry Christmas tweeple!!! Hope you have a fabulous, warm, joyful, X-mas with your family and friends! Lots of love," while filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh tweeted: "Christmas tomorrow. Put out your socks and I hope all of you get all the love and happiness life has to offer.

" Tweet (less)

During our college life, we all friends used to do all the nautankis and these stand-up items. And my favourite role would always be of a pregnant woman.

So the walk and all came to me very naturally," Vidya, 33, told reporters here. Vidya ruled Bollywood as Silk last year and it seems she wants to take it forward with Kahaani as she is aggressively promoting the movie.

If she dressed like her character for the promotion of The Dirty Picture , the actress appeared with a baby bump at the Kahaani promotional event. Kahaani , scheduled to release March 9, is not the first film to feature her as a mother -- in Paa and Heyy Babyy too she had played a mom.

Besides her hard work, Vidya can't stop praising director Sujoy Ghosh's efforts and said: "He is very energetic. We managed to shoot continuously for 64 days without any break.

Sujoy would not let the mood drop." Vidya, who started her career with Pradeep Sarkar and went on to work with acclaimed directors like Priyadarshan, R.

Balakrishnan and Abhishek Chaubey, hasn't got an opportunity to repeat her directors. When asked about this, she said: "I don't make any rules.

I would be happy to work with the directors with whom I have already worked. Few times it didn't work out.

May be in future I will work with them. I am very greedy.

" Her recent was with director Milan Luthria - they teamed up for The Dirty Picture and the film became a super-duper hit. Tweet (less)

It crossed 350,000 views on the website within 10 hours. The buzz for the trailer is so strong that even Bollywood beauties like Sonam Kapoor and Raveena Tandon couldn't resist from raving about Vidya's bold and sultry look in the film that talks about the life of late southern glamour girl Silk Smitha.

"Oh my god, just saw the promo of The Dirty Picture . Vidya Balan, I bow down to you.

You are bold, provocative and brilliant," tweeted Sonam, while Raveena wrote: "Saw the trailer of The Dirty Picture !! Super Hot! Vidya's done a super bold act! Looks beautiful too!" If the ladies are swooning so much over it, one wonders what the men have to say! The first trailer of Karan Johar's much-talked- about production venture Agneepath was launched at an event in Mumbai Monday and it has so far registered over 400,000 views on YouTube. Hrithik Roshan's rippling muscles and intense persona and Sanjay Dutt's evil get-up as villain Kaancha Cheena caught the eye of many.

A mixed bag of people, including actors, filmmakers and film critics, lauded the look and feel of Agneepath , a remake of Karan's father's 1991 movie of the same name. " Agneepath - Brilliant trailer.

Looks like a film that has had a perfect casting and it will take an earth-shattering opening..

.great intensity of Hrithik Roshan is evident in his performance and Sanjay Dutt looks truly terrifying," trade analyst Komal Nahta posted on his Twitter page.

Actor-director Roshan Abbas wrote: "Blown away by the Agneepath trailer! Dharma (Productions) does things in a spectacular manner!" Director Sujoy Ghosh was left smitten by Sanjay's look as he wrote: "(I) saw Agneepath trailer. (I) was really apprehensive being a staunch fan.

..

but this is good. This is new and exciting.

Sanjay Dutt rules!" The action-packed first look has proved to be a worthy window to what is being called a "tribute" to Yash Johar's Agneepath , which helped Amitabh Bachchan win a national award. In three days, three new trailers came out including that of Rockstar , which released on Wednesday along with Salman Khan-starrer Bodyguard .

The trailer of director Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar , which has Ranbir Kapoor in the title role, has also received a promising response online thanks to its crisp packaging, music and Ranbir's different looks. Even before tinsel town could get over Vidya's new look and attitude, chocolate boy Ranbir left many gaping.

"Really have to share this - Rockstar is by far the best and the most captivating trailer that I have seen. Ranbir looks like a powerhouse performer!" actress Bipasha Basu tweeted.

Southern actor Siddharth wrote: "Still reeling from the Agneepath promo and here comes Ranbir and Rockstar ! What a superb first look! (I) saw it three times back to back! Awesome!" Ranbir seems to have entered an experimental territory with the film, about an aspiring musician who walks a path of self-destruction to achieve his dreams. So, if making a movie is an uphill task, so is packaging its trailer.

Tweet (less)

All of a sudden, we see Vidya Balan opting for different kinds of roles..

. I am on a trip of playing different people - living their lives, fiction or real through the characters I play.

And these are the people who are so not like me. And why shouldn't I play these characters? I am getting these opportunities and I am grabbing them.

A film has to have something beyond the regular song and dance for me. You know what, I want people to come out after watching each and every film of mine and say, 'This is not the Vidya we know' or 'This is not the Vidya we saw last time'.

But you refused Vishal Bhardwaj's offer of Daayan..

. There wasn't much for me to do in Daayan.

And then Vishal did not even inform you that you were not a part of Ishqiya sequel. The producers did.

Was that revenge? I don't know about revenge. But yes, Shemaroo informed me.

Anyways, I had been wondering what I would do in Dedh Ishqiya. If you have seen Ishqiya, the two guys (Naseer and Arshad) had met Krishna (myself) along the way.

They sure would have moved on in the sequel. But theek hai.

I have no hard feelings on not being chosen for Dedh Ishqiya. Coming back to your 'trip' of playing different characters, it seems like this is the same trip Rekha was on.

Or have you become the female Aamir Khan? To a certain extent, yes. And didn't Rekhaji do it beautifully? She played so many interesting, different yet commercially viable characters.

As for the second part of your question, thanks for the compliment. Whenever I have to take a risky decision, I think of Aamir and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Those two simply defy rules. But on both counts, I still have to go a long way yaar.

Still, how did you do The Dirty Picture? You are such a shy and inhibited person. Were you comfortable sitting with your parents when the promos went on air? Well, I always tell my parents everything I do.

So they knew that in The Dirty Picture, I was playing a role that was..

..

(thinks hard for too long) Blasphemous? No, not blasphemous. Risky is the word.

But they knew that I was in safe hands. They had seen Milan Luthria's work, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

And they knew Ekta since my Hum Paanch days. But yes, I did feel awkward sitting with them when the promos were first telecast.

However cool and evolved I maybe, I am never going to coochie-coo with my boyfriend in front of them. Hence, watching my intimate scenes with the actors, along with my parents was never going to be easy.

By boyfriend you mean Siddharth Roy Kapoor. So, what's his take on The Dirty Picture? No.

He doesn't have any issues with my work. You had to use prosthetics in The Dirty Picture.

How was the experience? Well, all I can say is that I have worked with Amitabh Bachchan in Paa. After that, if I say using prosthetics was difficult, I would sound spoilt.

So I won't say. But you are seriously getting bolder.

What if Raj Kapoor was alive and offered you Mandakini's role in Ram Teri Ganga Maili? I would have loved to work with Rajji. But that's not what we're asking.

..

(Smiles) You! Well, I don't think he would have made Ram Teri Ganga Maili in today's times. But yes, I must say that I would have loved to do his Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

Bipasha had objected to your on-screen pairing with John Abraham. Now that the two are no longer together, would you work with John? Would you want to work with John in Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Wadala? I was always okay to working with John.

I still maintain that. But I still have to meet Gupta for the narration.

Would you be okay to working with Shahid? Depends. The script will be the decisive factor.

Coming back to your boyfriend. There are rumours of you and Siddharth buying a house near Rizvi college in Bandra? Nonsense.

My house in Khar is pretty new. Ek toh sambhal loon.

But the two of you are rock steady. Some time back, there were rumours about the two of you getting married.

If I was in a relationship I couldn't talk about, I would never have been in it to begin with. I am in a very happy space with Siddharth.

Yes, I want to get married. I want to be a bride.

But I am not married yet (less)

"May I just say that singing Rabindra Sangeet for the first time was the greatest revelation. The beauty of the language, the lyricism of the tune and its 'dhun' (music) are outstanding.

"This particular, world famous number Ekla Cholo , expounding to all that if no one came to you on your calling, walk alone!! And what a fabulous song has been incorporated by Vishal-Shekhar. Truly awesome and worthy of all award," he wrote.

Tweet (less)

" 'The Dirty Picture' had a shocking opening of Rs.32.

62 crore. This has put the film in the enviable list of top 10 first three days ever," Girish Johar, head of distribution of Balaji Motion Pictures, which has produced the film, told IANS.

Even a filmmaker like Ram Gopal Varma , who has so far made only male-centric movies, can't stop raving about the film by Ekta, who seems to have a knack for picking real stories and turning them into box office wonders. "I want to give 2 million 15 lakh 17 thousand 3 hundred and 26 and a half kisses to Ekta for proving that Dirty is Clean and Clean is Dirty," he tweeted.

Ekta has always been a trailblazer - when she entered the TV business, she was crowned television czarina following her long-running successful soaps like "Kyunki..

.Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" and made saas-bahu sagas the staple diet on TV.

When she forayed into the moviemaking business, she left the small screen melodrama far behind and carved a niche by doing real life stories with films like "Shootout At Lokhandwala", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", "Ragini MMS" and now "The Dirty Picture". And she has also brought forth Vidya.

In a way, Vidya is Ekta's prodigy as she brought the actress into the limelight with her comedy show "Hum Paanch" as Radhika, a geek, in 2000. After featuring in song videos, the actress enjoyed a dream debut in Bollywood with "Parineeta", but she was jolted back to reality by mishaps like "Kismet Konnection" and "Heyy Babyy".

But just like her mentor, Vidya bounced back as a single mother in "Paa" and took her boldness a step further with her sensuous avatar in "Ishqiya". "The Dirty Picture" is her boldest performance so far - she sheds clothes and inhibitions to play a sex symbol.

Though critics are not so happy with director Milan Luthria's treatment of the subject and too much focus on Vidya's skin show, the 32-year-old actress has no regrets. "I am not coy or 'chui mui' type," said the actress in an interview and persisted that she is "unapologetic" about her dare bare act and that "she loves the limelight and enjoys the attention she gets.

" An unofficial biopic of southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, "The Dirty Picture", which released with an A-certificate, may not fit the bill of a family watch, but critics are raving about her performance. It won't be an exaggeration to say that just like her dialogue in the film "itihaas awah hai ki mardon ki duniya rahi hai, aurton ne aa kar hungama macha diya", she has created a furore in the male-dominated arena as Silk.

Usually male actors are seen in the commanding position during film promotions, but here Vidya singlehandedly marketed the film and played the 'hero'. In fact, Vidya's co-star Emraan Hashmi too feels that the film has broken stereotypes about actresses.

"Can't thank all of you enough for the overwhelming response to 'The Dirty Picture'. The film's emerged a real game changer," he tweeted.

Echoing the same, writer-director Saurabh Shukla told IANS: "Vidya Balan is no doubt a marvellous actress and she has proved it once with 'The Dirty Picture'. Bollywood is indeed a male-dominated industry, and even society is; hence fewer woman-centric films are made.

But with 'The Dirty Picture', Vidya is likely to turn the tables." Once in a while woman power is palpable in the Hindi industry.

Vidya and Rani Mukerji-starrer "No One Killed Jessica" was a big hit despite the fact that it was a real story and had no glamour or titillating element to it. Earlier, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut's "Fashion" was a box office success and helped in dispelling the notion that actresses were merely showpieces.

Even Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag's off-beat film "Dor" was another woman-centric film that did well. Ranjan Sinha, a Bihar-based distributor, says "The Dirty Picture" has nothing much to offer in terms of the story, but it has got a good response.

"It is a bold film. There was a lot of curiosity among people.

Vidya is indeed a great actress and her acting is once again very good. With 'The Dirty Picture' she has climbed up the popularity charts in Bihar," he added (less)

It's been said that the actress has a deep connection with India. She spent part of her childhood living in the Almora district, now in Uttarakhand and was named Uma by her dad, who is a Sanskrit scholar and a Tibetologist.

Uma will feature in five episodes of the musical drama. Produced by Steven Spielberg, the series also stars Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and British actor Jack Davenport.

Tweet (less)

"May I just say that singing Rabindra Sangeet for the first time was the greatest revelation. The beauty of the language, the lyricism of the tune and its 'dhun' (music) are outstanding.

"This particular, world famous number Ekla Cholo , expounding to all that if no one came to you on your calling, walk alone!! And what a fabulous song has been incorporated by Vishal-Shekhar. Truly awesome and worthy of all award," he wrote.

Tweet (less)

Shooting with Mithun Chakraborty for " Dadagiri " till afternoon, a store visit in the evening, a three-minute stopover at Kalighat for darshan before driving down to a recreational park to rehearse till late for an event - Vidya packed in a lot into her Thursday's Kolkata schedule. A vermillion bindi on her forehead, a coffee coloured sari paired with a blouse that had a plunging neckline, golden bangles, slippers and nailpaint - the star looks quite in character for " The Dirty Picture " when one meets her in her vanity van before her rehearsals begin.

"Kolkata always makes me feel nostalgic. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, I pointed out to each of the places where I had shot "Parineeta" and "Kahaani" in an attempt to showoff my knowledge about Kolkata.

I have vivid memories of a beauty parlour on Park Street where I would go to get my pedicure done while shooting in Kolkata. Even the vanity van where I am now seated is the one that I used while shooting "Kahaani".

" Considering that she has been in the city on the last day of the 17th edition of the Kolkata Film Festival, does she remember the time when she was the thaali girl of KFF much before her meteoric rise to fame from her humble days as a beginner in Goutam Halder's "Bhalo Theko"? "Of course, I remember going to Nandan with Goutamda and the stalls there. I remember Angshu Sur, who used to head Nandan.

..

" her voice trails off. A crazy schedule, however, meant not being able to make it to KFF now.

But what she doesn't miss out is shaking a leg with Mithun Chakraborty on the sets of "Dadagiri" to a song that had the Disco king Bappi Lahiri singing "O la la". "It was a fabulous experience.

I had shot with Mithunda in "Guru" and already had a rapport with him," she recalls, before speaking about her quiet visit to Kalighat at night. "When I stand in front of the idol, I never ask for anything for myself.

I just say thank you. My sister, Priya, has recently had twins - Ira and Ruhaan.

The three-month-old darlings are the best blessings in my life. I went to seek blessings for them from the goddess," she says.

What did she ask for herself? "Nothing. In any case, I have never planned much in life.

" Not even marriage? "Not in the recent future," she replies, adding, "I have been living with my parents for so long that the very thought of having to wake up without them in the house makes me feel edgy. Of course, I believe in the institution of marriage.

But I am in no hurry to settle down now." And neither is her better half in any hurry.

"As of now, I am happy with the work I am doing. I do one or two films a year and have not signed on anything new post-"Kahaani".

I want to go for a two month-long break once that releases. My health needs attention and my mother has made me promise that I will take this break.

I couldn't have done it earlier because of prior commitments. So, from January to March, I want to relax.

I want to sleep, eat on time and spend time with the kids," she says. Deciding not to sign on new projects means having to say no to many directors.

Doesn't that rub people the wrong way? "It's never been difficult for me to say no. I have never given excuses like I don't have dates.

I have never over-quoted to avoid a project. I simply say that while the script might be good, I can't connect with it.

My strategy is that while I wouldn't want anyone to waste my time, I shouldn't be doing that either with others," she insists. Is Bollywood open to accepting such forthrightness? "I have landed in trouble for doing this.

People sound okay when I am upfront. But there have been occasions when they have come with two projects to me.

If I have turned down one, they never came back to me with the second offer even though I might have connected well with that script. Once a filmmaker called up another director (I was working with him then) and asked him to throw me out of his movie because I had turned down his script! The person I was working with had earlier been this director's assistant and he was asked to throw me out of the movie as a gesture of gurudakshina.

That director later went on to call me names on print but, I guess , I am capable of handling all this now," she says. What about controversies? Is Vidya capable of handling them, especially the recent one involving Silk Smitha's brother? "From Shakespeare to Robi Thakur, everyone has written stories about people and incidents around them.

There is no creativity minus reality irrespective of how flowery or abstract you make it. In my movie's case, the film isn't about Silk Smitha per se.

There were so many other dancing stars in the 80s including Nylon Nalini, Cotton Kamini, Polyester Padmini, Rayon Revathi and so on. Silk happens to be the most nationally popular dancing girl of the 80s.

So, people are making direct associations. But my character might actually have so many different inspirations," she says.

What if some director wants to make a movie on an actor whose name is Vidya and on a script that has some parallels with her real life travails? "There will always be a slight difference between the reel and the real. Even my family might know 99 per cent about me but there will be this one per cent about me that nobody will ever know.

Being in this profession, I am fine with biopics or movies inspired by real-life-characters." So, what is it that she is uncomfortable with in this industry? Or more precisely, what is that one word in the film industry that she considers to be 'dirty'? "It's the word insecurity that fame brings along with it.

It can drive people to drugs, bad behaviour and self-destruction." How does she avoid being insecure or to give up on projects when she knows that a talented lot might be waiting to nudge her out? "It is never easy to not be insecure in this profession.

But I've believed that I'm here to act and have treated fame as a fringe benefit (well, a rather large benefit, I suppose). There are times when I too have made mistakes when I signed on movies because I was told that my time is now and I have to tread the beaten path.

However, I don't regret making those choices now because I needed to go through this process of evolution. Finally, it's about a realization that in a world of individuals, one can't be the best.

I live from one moment to another and retain my honesty of purpose," she says. Finally, what does she think sells in today's world? There was a time when Neha Dhupia's quote "Only sex and SRK sell" did the rounds.

How would Vidya redefine the quote today? She pauses to think for a while and then says, "Only conviction sells." If that were the case, why then would insecurity seep in? "Well, when we are insecure, we really don't have that 100 per cent conviction.

Once we have it, we can tide over everything." (less)

However, she was also told that Bebo will have as hard-hitting a role in Heroine as she did in 'The Dirty Picture'. What did Vidya have to say that? "It can't get dirtier than 'The Dirty Picture'.

They could make a 'Heroine' but no one will be able to make 'The Dirty Picture'." Vidya Balan and Kareena Kapoor had a fall-out ever since Vidya was linked with Shahid Kapoor shortly after Shahid and Bebo's break-up.

Well, let's see if Vidya's taunt does get to Kareena, who is still basking in the glory of being the first to act with all three Khans reigning Bollywood today. At the same time, Vidya who is being given a pat on the back for her woman-centric choice of movie was compared to the Khans of Bollywood, and Vidya said, "Instead of me adding Khan to my name, the Khans can add Balan to theirs.

" So we guess Kareena's claim-to-fame of being the first person to work with the Khans has just been waived off by Bollywood's Balan (less)

We expected a good response, but I think it's been far beyond anyone's expectations," the 34-year-old actor said here at a special screening of the film. Don 2: The King Is Back released in 41 countries Friday, and hit screens in Britain Thursday.

"Everyone liked it. I think you know once the movie works, people like things about the movie, then they like everything about the movie," said Kunal, who has shared screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan for the first time in the movie.

Kunal made his Bollywood debut with M.F.

Hussain's Meenaxi: A tale of two cities , but tasted success with Rang De Basanti the following year. He has worked in films like Hattrick, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachle besides making special appearances in Bachna Ae Haseenon and Welcome To Sajjanpur , and was last seen in Lamhaa .

Tweet (less)

"I am ecstatic with all the compliments that have come my way even though the film's release was a month ago. What touched my heart most was the acknowledgement coming from my parents.

"They said to me that within five minutes of The Dirty Picture , they forgot that the girl on screen was their daughter and instead took home Silk. It was a big relief when my parents said that since right through the film's making, I was wary of their reactions," Vidya told PTI.

While the Milan Luthria-directed film is one of the biggest successes of 2011, the first woman centric one to do such huge business, Vidya says that the film was not intended to be such in the first place. "During the making of the film none of us ever thought that The Dirty Picture was a woman-oriented film being made.

The central character was a woman but then we didn't want that to put any limitations or restrictions in our story telling." "We believed that we all were working towards making a good film and that's about it.

In fact Mahesh Bhatt said to me that The Dirty Picture showed how much respect Milan and I had for women due to which we could tread a fine line and still come out unscathed." After the hectic work and promotions for the film, it is now time for the 34-year-old to relax a little.

With the festive season on, Vidya is finally chilling out and going through all the compliments that have accumulated so far. "Now I just want to sit back and enjoy for a while.

It is so gratifying and humbling to go through all the messages from family, friends, industry and media. The phone continues to ring and that is such a blessed feeling.

I felt bad that I hadn't responded to all of them but I am doing that now." The actress is on a small break before kick-starting the promotion of her next film Kahaani , directed by Sujoy Ghosh.

Tweet (less)

Great!," said the actress in an interview. After having been seen in graceful and classy roles like Parineeta and Paa , Vidya suprised everyone when she decided to play a sex symbol in Milan Luthria's The Dirty Picutre , but it was not a cakewalk for her.

"I would have to say that Silk (her character name in the film) has been an extremely demanding, exhausting, tiring and yet very fulfilling and exhilarating role for me to have played." "It's like a workout.

Sometimes you kill yourself during the workout and you feel dead after that. But it's also extremely exhilarating and there is a sense of adrenalin rush after the workout and that is how I feel after this film," Vidya, 32, said.

It may have been an exhausting role but at the same time, Vidya thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing an actress of the 1980s and 1990s. "Films in those times were full of masala and entertainment.

Songs and dance used to start at any point in the film amidst pots, colours and oranges. I have done all that in this film, so all my wishes are fulfilled," she said.

Vidya started her career with Parineeta , an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's book. After that she did glamorous roles in Heyy Babyy and Kismet Konnection , but her fans liked her more in films like No One Killed Jessica .

This is not for the first time that Vidya is doing something unconventional. Even in Ishqiya , she played a woman who oozes sensuality and mouthed expletives to make her role convincing.

She seems to be experimenting further in that direction with The Dirty Picture , which is releasing on Dec 2. In the film, she will be seen romancing Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor.

After The Dirty Picture , Vidya has Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani opposite Emraan. Tweet (less)

Such lack of inhibition in d promos of Dirty Picture is amazing"); Mahesh also complimented the "Parineeta" actor for her stupendous acting. However, besides praising the actor, the director had generous words to say about the makers and other actors in the film like Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi .

He wrote on a microblogging site, "Dirty Picture is a blockbuster! Vidya Balan,Naseer & Emraan set the screen ablaze with their outstanding performances. Milan Luthria and Ekta Kapoor need to be applauded for their audacity.

This film is a game changer." Well, Vidya seems a favourite with all (less)

When contacted, Pritish Nandy said, "Jhankaar Beats was one of our very first hits. It started a new genre: Slice of Life films.

We were wary about a sequel. Now, Suresh Nair has finished scripting Jhankaar Beats Again.

This makes the decision easier. Since, now we have a script, we all feel confident.

I haven't heard its final version but Sujoy thinks it rocks and I am happy to take it ahead." Explaining why the sequel took eight years, director Ghosh said, "Characters need to grow for a story to move forward.

They have to experience life. There has to be something important happening with them for me to tell.

Otherwise, why would you listen to my story? For me, the story is of utmost importance." (less)

And now, Mumbai Mirror has learnt that the Big B along with filmmaker Ghosh and Kahaani's leading lady Vidya Balan is gearing up to voice a full fledged album of Tagore's song. "I basically took to filmmaking for five reasons: Satyajit Ray , R.

D. Burman, Anand Bakshi, Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.

After working with the Big B in Aladdin, I decided Mr Bachchan would be a part of every film I make. I've two scripts Borivali Fast and Kabuliwala ready for Mr B.

I had no role for him in Kahaani. So I persuaded him to sing in Bengali, a language he is quite familiar with.

And Bachchan Saab sang Ekle Cholo like a dream," recalled Ghosh. And since, it would be a 'pity' to limit Big B's Rabindra Sangeet singing skills to just one song, the director along with Vidya Balan has decided to take it forward.

"It's the logical progression from what he has done in Kahaani. Only the deaf would ignore what his rendition of Ekle chalo tells us," said Ghosh (less)

. Is there more in store for Bollywood's thinking actress.

..

Life is currently a bed of roses for Vidya Balan . She ruled the roost in 2011.

And the precision, with which she did it, almost seems like she had it planned.She started with No One Killed Jessica in January last year and ended it with a bang with The Dirty Picture in December.

Both were biopics; in one she played the subdued Sabrina Lal, sister of the slain model Jessica Lal; and in the other she played the garrulous cabaret girl Silk Smitha . Both characters were far removed from each other and what Vidya brought to them was her expertise as an actor, making Sabrina and Silk as real as it can get.

While other top league actress' concentrated on being some Khan's arm candy on screen or chose money over matter; Vidya, with her immense self confidence, chose the path of National Award winning actresses like Tabu and Konkana Sen Sharma in her choice of cinema. A leading film magazine editor says, "January-March 2012 will be the busiest phase of her career.

She will be grabbing trophies, not with one hand, but two. She is, in fact, competing with none other than herself.

" On the personal front, she found love. The producer of NOKJ, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Vidya are now reportedly an item and will marry sometime in 2012 says the grapevine.

Filmmaker Milan Luthria, who directed Vidya in TDP, says, "To me, Vidya is like Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini and Sridevi. She has the face, the figure, the oomph and the charisma, the talent and the star quality.

" Speaking on the occasion of her 34th birthday, Milan adds, "Vidya is the new braveheart in town. She has raw talent mixed with courage of conviction; this heady mix makes her a director's delight.

Hers' is the only way to be in our chaotic industry. I would tell you - 'follow your gut and unleash you talent.

' I can guarantee more memorable performances in store for her!" And as Vidya gets ready for her next release Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani in the month of March 2012, one cannot help but feel that TDP, that brought her the roses may also prove to be a thorn in her side. Reason: replicating that kind of euphoria twice over could prove tough (less)

Vidya plays Silk Smitha in the movie directed by Milan Luthria, and everyone is talking about her 'sexed up' avatar. However, when we had met Vidya last, the actress was looking gorgeous having lost weight and dressed in white.

While talking about'sexy', Vidya was quick to say, "Sexy is not what you are; sexy is what you do!" The girl re-iterated, that a simple action of hers in a mobile related TV commercial - putting the tip of her finger in her mouth - got her some great compliments from guys. "So sexy is simply about what you do and how you do it," she had told us.

Well, let's hope Vidya has managed to show you the bigger picture of what 'sexy' really is (less)

"I am ecstatic with all the compliments that have come my way even though the film's release was a month ago. What touched my heart most was the acknowledgement coming from my parents.

"They said to me that within five minutes of The Dirty Picture , they forgot that the girl on screen was their daughter and instead took home Silk. It was a big relief when my parents said that since right through the film's making, I was wary of their reactions," Vidya told PTI.

While the Milan Luthria-directed film is one of the biggest successes of 2011, the first woman centric one to do such huge business, Vidya says that the film was not intended to be such in the first place. "During the making of the film none of us ever thought that The Dirty Picture was a woman-oriented film being made.

The central character was a woman but then we didn't want that to put any limitations or restrictions in our story telling." "We believed that we all were working towards making a good film and that's about it.

In fact Mahesh Bhatt said to me that The Dirty Picture showed how much respect Milan and I had for women due to which we could tread a fine line and still come out unscathed." After the hectic work and promotions for the film, it is now time for the 34-year-old to relax a little.

With the festive season on, Vidya is finally chilling out and going through all the compliments that have accumulated so far. "Now I just want to sit back and enjoy for a while.

It is so gratifying and humbling to go through all the messages from family, friends, industry and media. The phone continues to ring and that is such a blessed feeling.

I felt bad that I hadn't responded to all of them but I am doing that now." The actress is on a small break before kick-starting the promotion of her next film Kahaani , directed by Sujoy Ghosh.

Tweet (less)

..

and to the nutter..

.to the friend.

. .

to the actress..

to the (Vidya) Balan..

happy happy birthday..

keep entertaining," Ghosh posted on Twitter. Co-produced by Ghosh, "Kahaani" will see Vidya as a pregnant woman in search of her missing husband.

After her sexy and bold avatar in Milan Luthria's " The Dirty Picture ", the movie will see Vidya in a completely different and unglamorous role. Sharing screen space as the male lead will be her co-actor from "The Dirty Picture", Emraan Hashmi .

" 'Kahaani' trailer this week. lets see how that goes.

. and many thanku to all of you who happy new yeared me.

i happy u back a little bit more," Ghosh added (less)

Her look, her body language - Vidya makes the dirty look pretty in "TDP". In Milan Luthria's movie, I play Vidya's mentor.

I'm the only male character in the movie with whom Vidya doesn't share a so-called relationship. She trusts me and knows that if everything else goes wrong, I will be there for her.

It's a friendship that doesn't have any sexual connotation. So much is now being said about Silk Smitha's brother, V Naga Vara Prasad, wanting to watch the movie and now having sued Milan Luthria and producer Ekta Kapoor for making the film without the family's permission.

Do you think his actions are justified? Where was this man all this while when we were making this movie? This film isn't a biopic and why on earth would we need to show it to him? It's ridiculuous to surface now and make such allegations. Since you are so involved in the project, why are you absent from the film's promotion? That's only because I am busy shooting in Ludhiana for a film titled "Love Shuv Te Chicken Khurana".

It's not that I wasn't called for the promotion of the movie. In fact, Vidya and the team are supposed to be in Kolkata for participating in Mithun Chakraborty's quiz show titled "Dadagiri".

But they called up my unit in Ludhiana but the dates just couldn't be adjusted. I wish I was present when Vidya comes to my hometown but I really have no options.

This Hindi movie is very important for me. It's the directorial debut of Sameer Sharma, who wrote Ramgopal Varma's "Bhoot" and Ashutosh Gowariker's "Swades".

He also gave language inputs for Rituparno Ghosh's "Raincoat". Anurag Kashyap is co-producing the movie that also stars Kunal Kapoor and Vinod Nagpal.

Kunal plays my nephew in this feel-good film. Huma Quereshi, who has acted in Anurag's "Gangs of Wasseypur", is paired opposite him.

In this film, I play a lazy man who just doesn't understand why people need to work to survive in life! From driving a taxi in Kolkata to playing a central character in a Hindi film now - you've come a long way. How have your goals changed in life? It's been a very long journey for me.

I have had my share of fair-weather friends who want to be very pally with me now. Bollywood has changed and today, actors like me, are being offered lead roles in movies.

That's a huge bonus for performers who are not aspiring to be stars. Recently, I was at Sameer's office and was supposed to do a workshop with him.

Anurag was also present and he wanted me to watch "GOW". I told Anurag that I needed to do the workshop but he called Sameer, smiled and said: "Let him watch "GOW".

He doesn't need a workshop". For someone who struggled every inch to make space for himself in the industry without any godfather, such compliments are huge.

Today, as much as before, I'm still excited about good roles. I'm in talks to do a Sonu Sood production.

In the pipeline is Hriday Shetty's "Chaalis Chaurasi" with Naseeruddin Shah. In Tollywood, I am doing a Bengali film directed by Satabdi Roy and Indranil Ghosh's film too (less)

Reportedly, the actress, who cited date issues, has opted out of the Sunny Deol starrer, Ghayal Returns , as she wants to gauge the box-office reception of The Dirty Picture, before signing any other film. A source informed Mumbai Mirror that since Vidya has decided to walk out of the film, the makers are now in talks with Bipasha Basu .

Apparently, Ghayal Returns, to be directed by Ashwini Chowdhury, was supposed to go on floors in November. However, the film has now been postponed to early next year.

The source explained, "Vidya was finalised for the role opposite Sunny Deol. However, the actress has now opted out of the film.

She is currently busy with Ekta Kapoor's The Dirty Picture. She wants to wait till The Dirty Picture releases to see how it is received, before she signs any other project.

That's the real reason she has opted out of Ghayal Returns. However, she claimed to have date issues and so, left the project.

Anyways, Vidya is currently shooting for Sujoy Ghosh's film Kahani." Since Vidya has opted out, the filmmakers have been in search of a replacement.

And it seems that Bipasha, who is already doing another film with the director, has met with the makers to possibly fill in for Vidya. Despite repeated attempts.

Vidya and Sunny remained unavailable for comment (less)

The film, a thriller, begins with London-based, six-month pregnant Vidya Bagchi's arrival in Kolkata amidst the Durga Puja festivities. With nothing to rely on except fragments of her husband's memories, all clues seem to reach a dead end.

"Advaita is writing the story. She is going to write it a bit differently it won't be like the film.

..

as people would have seen the film ..

.the screenplay and would get bored.

She has a plan to write a novel in a different way..

.so that will be another interesting thing to wait and watch.

She has a different take..

.her thought process is totally different to the film, which will be good," Ghosh said in an interview.

Ask the director if he is fine with this idea of novel, and he says, "Ya..

its ok. As all she (Advaita) has in her mind is to write it.

I am sure she will not do anything that will harm the film." The film will hit cinema houses on March 9, while the novel should release by the end of this year.

Tweet (less)

Vidya Balan told reporters, "I am doing a song in 'Ferari Ki Sawari'. It's a Vinod Chopra production which is a home ground for me.

So when I was offered the song I had every reason to say Yes. It's a lovely song, I liked it I hope people like it when it happens.

" (less)

Great!," said the actress in an interview. After having been seen in graceful and classy roles like "Parineeta" and "Paa", Vidya suprised everyone when she decided to play a sex symbol in Milan Luthria's "The Dirty Picutre", but it was not a cakewalk for her.

"I would have to say that Silk (her character name in the film) has been an extremely demanding, exhausting, tiring and yet very fulfilling and exhilarating role for me to have played." "It's like a workout.

Sometimes you kill yourself during the workout and you feel dead after that. But it's also extremely exhilarating and there is a sense of adrenalin rush after the workout and that is how I feel after this film," Vidya, 32, said.

It may have been an exhausting role but at the same time, Vidya thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing an actress of the 1980s and 1990s. "Films in those times were full of masala and entertainment.

Songs and dance used to start at any point in the film amidst pots, colours and oranges. I have done all that in this film, so all my wishes are fulfilled," she said.

Vidya started her career with "Parineeta", an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's book. After that she did glamorous roles in "Heyy Babyy" and "Kismet Konnection", but her fans liked her more in films like "No One Killed Jessica".

This is not for the first time that Vidya is doing something unconventional. Even in "Ishqiya", she played a woman who oozes snesuality and mouthed expletives to make her role convincing.

She seems to be experimenting further in that direction with "The Dirty Picture", which is releasing Dec 2. In the film, she will be seen romancing Naseeruddin Shah , Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor .

After "The Dirty Picture", Vidya has Sujoy Ghosh's "Kahaani" opposite Emraan (less)

" Though the role is small, Tarantino was concerned about choosing a suitable actor for the part as the character is vital to the story. Django Unchained follows the story of Django, a freed slave who under the tutelage of a German bounty hunter Ace Woody becomes a bounty hunter himself.

"After assisting Woody in taking down some bad guys for profit, he tracks down his slave wife and liberates her from an evil plantation owner, variety.com reports.

The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as the film's villain, Calvin Candie; Jamie Foxx as Django; Christoph Waltz as Ace Woody, the bounty hunter on Candie's tail; Kerry Washington as Django's wife, Broomhilda; and Samuel L. Jackson as an outspoken slave.

Tweet (less)

I am very happy. Emotionally and mentally I am in a very happy space, by god's grace.

I am not thinking about marriage as of now, but I'm sure a right time will come for it also. I believe in the institution of marriage.

I will not ignore it for a longer duration, but yeah, for now, I am keeping it aside. I will definitely get married," said Vidya.

The actress is said to be dating CEO of UTV movies Siddharth Roy Kapoor. After the super success of her "Dirty Picture", Vidya is promoting her forthcoming film "Kahaani", directed by Sujoy Ghosh.

She will also be seen in Nikhil Advani's "Chand Bhai" opposite Akshaye Khanna. Vidya admits it's the greed for good roles that keeps her on her toes.

"I am a very greedy actor. I want to play different people, I want to do different kinds of films.

Even if it means that the hero is the protagonist, as long as I have enough to do in the film I am more than happy doing it," the 33-year-old actress said during the launch of the first look of her new film "Kahaani". "I am very happy with the kind of films being made today and that I am getting a chance to work in them.

They are appealing to the audience as well, which is most important. Women-oriented films are being made since years, but it is only today that they are tasting success," Vidya added while sporting a fake baby bump during the launch.

She is not restricting herself to women-oriented films, says the actress who has done films like "Parineeta", "Ishqiya" and "Paa". "I have not made any boundaries or limitations for myself.

I have not dictated myself that if the script is women oriented only then I will work in it or anything. If the film is good, if the role is good I will definitely do it," she said (less)