‘Love to do a Punjabi film’

Neha Saini

In a backlash to Pulwama terror attack, amidst the calls for banning Pakistani artistes in India, national award-winning actor Vidya Balan had said that a tough stand needs to be taken. On her recent visit to Amritsar, the actress confessed that art should be kept away from politics. “I stand by what I said and in that moment when so many of our soldiers were killed, I felt emotional. There is no end to hatred and I feel that peace needs constant efforts.”

Taking part in FICCI FLO Amritsar’s Change of Guard ceremony, the witty and wonderful actress also talked about how she called up her father-in-law to learn some Punjabi before coming to the heartland of Punjab. “Ajj Mein Tuhade Pind Aayi,” she said, pausing to check if she pronounced it correctly. “I am very excited. I always wanted to come here and explore the city, visit Golden Temple and its special because my mother is travelling along with me. I’d love to do a Punjabi film as well, though nobody has offered me to play a Punjabi character till date,” she said.

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Giving some powerful performances in the past, Vidya will be seen playing the role of former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi in a web series that she announced recently.”I can only say that the project is really happening and I look forward to it. I started doing women-centric films when no one was making them. Today, we are demanding our pound of flesh in the industry. It will be exciting to see how things turn out in future.” She was also offered the moveie on Jayalalithaa, titled Thalaivi, before Kangana Ranaut was signed on for the film. Her other project this year is Mission Mangal, along with an ensemble star cast, including Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu and Kirti Kulhari.