Congrats, you are now Dr Vidya Balan… (she has been conferred one by Rai University in Mumbai)

Thanks. (Smiles). It’s indeed a great feeling. I am humbled and thankful for being bestowed with this recognition. It is always very encouraging when you are recognised for your work. I am in the industry for a decade now and I am really happy to have been given so much recognition.

So, how have all these years been in the industry?

It has been a very satisfying journey. I couldn’t have asked for more. I am sure there will be many more good things that will happen to me in the years to come. But so far it has been really great. I have done some good films, the filmmakers have appreciated my work and I have been recognised with awards. I don’t have a background in films, so I think I have been extremely lucky. I have always enjoyed acting and I have been part of some very good films. In the last 10 years, I have worked with some of the best people and learnt so many things. So, it has been an extremely enriching journey.

You have always excelled in the roles you have done.

Yes, there are certain kinds of roles that I have always enjoyed doing. Some of them have really struck a chord with the audience. I have always felt happy when someone even years after  the release of a film has come up to me and told me that I liked you in that role. It is a different kind of satisfaction.  Such complements really matter because it gives you the confidence to do better in the future. I have done a variety of roles. There have also been a few which weren’t really appreciated but there were so many which earned me accolades.
 

You are known for playing intense roles. Is it a conscious decision?

(Smiles) I don’t think anything is conscious. I do films, which I can relate to. I have tried my hands at a variety of genres but I surely am more comfortable and love doing intense roles. It’s not that I don’t love comedy but I have always enjoyed playing intense roles be it Kahaani, No One Killed Jessica or Ishqiya, I am at ease playing such roles. Maybe. It comes naturally to me.

Your last couple of films Ganchakkar and Shaadi Ke Side Effects, which were light-hearted comedies, didn’t do that well at the box office?

Maybe, I am yet to understand comedy properly. Those were good films but you never know what the audience is going to like. I have equally enjoyed doing comedy. In fact, I started with a comedy with Hum Paanch for television. So, I am sure people will accept me in comedies too.

That your last couple of films didn’t work make you worried?

I have always believed in working hard and doing justice to the roles I play. I am not at all worried because I don’t see any point in getting tensed. I have to keep working and I believe in giving my best to what I am doing right now. So I am excited before the release of Hamari Adhuri Kahani.

Hamari Adhuri Kahani is your first release after almost a year.

In fact, that the reason, I am too excited. I haven’t had a release in quite some time now. Hamari Adhuri Kahani is a very interesting film and I am sure people will like it. I have always liked the films made by the Bhatts…Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth is one of the most poignant stories ever told on screen. In fact, I never imagined that I would some day work in their film. It’s a very touching story and my role is again a very intense one.

How do you go about choosing films?

I think the films choose me. Indian film industry is going through a very interesting and exciting phase. There are so many good films being made. The best thing is scripts are being written keeping in mind the women and the audience is appreciating those films. Films like Kahaani, MH 10, Queen, Tanu Weds Manu have really done well and people have liked it. I have watched these films and I too have liked them. I think this is one of the most important things to have happened in the industry in the last few years. As far as me doing films is concerned, I have always gone by my instincts. If I feel I can do justice to a certain role, I do that film. At the end of the day, I know I have to rate with the character I am playing or how with the audience connect with it.

So, you seem to be happy with the way your career has shaped up?

Oh, I am too happy. I don’t have any regrets. I just want to keep working. (Smiles)