From playing hockey in Chak De India to playing a mother in Kidnap. What a transition?
(Laughs) It was a real sweet thing what Mr. Sanjay Gadhavi did. He called me on my birthday to wish me and that is when I had just finished shooting Chak De.
He said, "Happy Birthday to you. There is a gift I'd like to give you if you'd like to take it. Why don't you come to the office and meet me. There is a film I am doing and it's the only love story in the film. Why don't you come down and read it with me. It's opposite Sanjay Dutt".
I said, "Ok. I'll come down and read my part". Gadhavi then adds, "It's a part of the mother". Initially I did question Sanjay Gadhavi whether my part was good or not but he assured me that it was a nice. I've known Gadhavi for a really long time.
I remember the first audition that I ever did in the industry was for his film Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and we've been in touch ever since. It was obviously a pleasure working with him now in Kidnap.
Tell us about your rapport with your husband in the film Sanjay Dutt. I heard you guys don't get along well together.
Ha ha ha. Initially I was nervous. I've never met Sanjay Dutt before and he's like this 'deadly Dutt' a 'deadly giant'.
So rugged from the exterior but sweet and soft spoken from the inside. He made me really comfortable with everything. He told me to just chill around and do whatever I felt like doing on the sets. No need to get worried about anything.
Take us a bit into your flashback story.
There is some of my story in the flashback and also in the present. The flashback shows us as a couple and in the present, we are not a couple any more but due to some unfortunate circumstances we have to come together and how from hating each other we eventually come together. It's a small little flashback.
When I opened the papers this morning, I hear this story about your kissing scene with Sanjay Dutt. Why such a fuss Vidya?
I don't know. I can't understand what the controversy is all about. I can't really say anything. I haven't seen the film yet but the kissing scene is there.
It's a scene, which is really well shot, and you may miss it as it's just there for a split second. It's a miss kiss and it's barely there. It's stupid to talk about something like this. Secondly, it's about two people falling in love.
I mean, doesn't a kiss normally happen with two people who love each other so much or what? The Press needs to grow up a little bit and don't make like a big deal out of it. I keep telling Gadhavi that I'm dead sure that half the crowd is going to miss the scene anyway as it comes right after the intermission.
Did Sanjay Gadhavi call you after reading the news?
He was under the impression that I told the Press about the kissing scene. But I cleared the misunderstanding that it wasn't me. I don't think it's a big deal anyway.
But Kidnap isn't the only film which has kissing scenes. Gadhavi's Dhoom 2 also landed up in a big controversy.
Absolutely. As far as I can recall, there was a nice romantic scene in Siddharth Anand's Salaam Namaste and Bachna Ae Haseeno had Ranbir kissing all the beautiful ladies. So what's the big fuss really?
If your daughter in the film looks so sexy, I bet the mother will be worth a watch.
(Laughs) If you're talking about bikinis in Kidnap then 'No'. That's not happening. In terms of a glam mom, she is completely glamorous and sexy. My look is more from Chanel to Armani to Zara kind of a feel. So it's very rich.
I'm obviously playing a character much older than my age. So she can't be all over the place you know. She looks nice because she is a rich man's wife and a well kept woman of today. And I am not wearing a bikini (laughs).
Did you get a chance to share screen space with Imran Khan?
None at all with Imran and only one scene with Minissha.
Will you be seen throughout in the film or are there only bits and pieces of you?
Yes I am there throughout the film. Actually, I'm going to watch it in a day or two and then I'll be able to tell you better (laughs).
What are your expectations from Kidnap?
Very high. Right now I'm nervous. When Sanjay Gadhavi says that you have done a good job in the film means that he is happy with your performance. But I am very critical about myself that until I see it, I'll always find something wrong with me. I am restless right now too.
You've worked with SRK and now with Sanjay Dutt. Two of Hindi film's best actors around. Are you over the moon?
Of course. Sanjay Dutt has been an inspiration. SRK is so much of energy; so much of focus and just the aura around him is immaculate. You receive so much from him as an actor.
In terms of Sanjay Dutt, he was going through a very bad patch in time and there was a time when I didn't even know if the film would see the light of the day or not but Sanju baba never got any of his worries on the sets.
He was still the kind and a gentle person that he is. He would do his job and then go back home. I've never seen Sanjay Dutt scream or yell. He was very patient.
Do you think Kidnap should be dedicated to Sanjay Dutt?
I think the film belongs to him and every single person who has worked on the film. I don't think one person can make or break a film really. But a big part of Kidnap is Mr Sanjay Dutt. I respect him totally for what he has gone through and the way he has come out shining, Kidnap truly belongs to him if not dedicated.
Even though you haven't got a scene with Imran in Kidnap, how do you rate him after Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na and now Kidnap?
Imran Khan is a complete rockstar. You put him in anything and he'll do justice to his role. He is so much like his mamu Aamir Khan. He does a lot of homework, works on his look and body language. And he is so so good looking. I've seen girls going crazy about him.
Any clichéd message for your fans?
(Laughs) Please watch Kidnap. I loved the script and I'm sure you'll love the film. People keep on asking me, 'Comedy ka daur chal raha hai aur aap yeh kaunsi film kar rahe ho?' But I only reply back by saying, 'Good films are in whether it's a comedy or a thriller or whatever'. Kidnap is a good film and of course, do watch it because it's got hotties like the Dutt and the Khan and Minissha and yeah...me.
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