I’m very selfish about my space in front of camera: Vidya Balan

A lot of actors in Bollywood are either taking up work in Hollywood or turning directors and producers. However, actor Vidya Balan says she does not have plans of doing either, at least not at the moment. “I have never been interested in any other area of filmmaking enough, to want to learn more about it. Whether it’s direction or production, honestly, I have no inclination and more than that, I don’t think I have the bandwidth to manage a complete project,” says Vidya.

Calling acting her first and only love, the 38-year-old adds that she is really good at taking instructions. “I want to be handled. I don’t want to handle people. As a director, you have to handle everything and everyone aur woh mere se nahi hoga. I am very selfish about my space in front of the camera. I want to play every role that comes my way. And I can’t do cameo appearances because little se mere kya hoga,” laughs Vidya.

Whether it is playing a adult film actress in Dirty Picture (2012) or the owner of a brothel in Begum Jaan (2017), Vidya has never shied away from taking up roles that defy set norms. She’s won awards and critical acclaim for her off-beat roles but the actor says she has never felt the pressure to excel. “I rather look at it as a compliment and enjoy it. I take it as a blessing that people have expectations from me, but I’ve never let these expectations come in way of my thinking while deciding to do something,” she says. l

Im very selfish about my space in front of camera: Vidya Balan

A lot of actors in Bollywood are either taking up work in Hollywood or turning directors and producers. However, actor Vidya Balan says she does not have plans of doing either, at least not at the moment. I have never been interested in any other area of filmmaking enough, to want to learn more about it. Whether its direction or production, honestly, I have no inclination and more than that, I dont think I have the bandwidth to manage a complete project, says Vidya. Calling acting her first and only love, the 38-year-old adds that she is really good at taking instructions. I want to be handled. I dont want to handle people. As a director, you have to handle everything and everyone aur woh mere se nahi hoga. I am very selfish about my space in front of the camera. I want to play every role that comes my way. And I cant do cameo appearances because little se mere kya hoga, laughs Vidya. Whether it is playing a adult film actress in Dirty Picture (2012) or the owner of a brothel in Begum Jaan (2017), Vidya has never shied away from taking up roles that defy set norms. Shes won awards and critical acclaim for her off-beat roles but the actor says she has never felt the pressure to excel. I rather look at it as a compliment and enjoy it. I take it as a blessing that people have expectations from me, but Ive never let these expectations come in way of my thinking while deciding to do something, she says. l