Vidya Balan at the launch of Lucera. Picture by Pabitra Das

Inshallah is her favourite word and a smile is her best expression. Either way, she wins hearts easily. Vidya Balan was in town to launch Lucera, a jewellery store in South City Mall on Thursday evening. “I am someone who believes in being understated, that’s very me,” said Vidya, describing her fashion statement.

Far from understated in a sizzling red outfit and bright red nail-paint, charmed by her infectious smile, we’d like to believe her. Her last film Halla Bol may have bombed at the box office but that has only left her more determined to pull the next few off successfully. “I hope to do a film with Rituda (Rituparno) this year and one or two Bengali films… inshallah. Last year was wonderful. I had five releases out of which two went exceptionally well and I got a lot of appreciation for Bhool Bhulaiyaa. This year, my film Kismat Connection is slated for a May release”. (With “good friend” Shahid Kapur as her co-actor.)

Coming to Valentine’s Day, she exclaims: “I wish I had a Valentine!” And as for marriage: “Meri shaadi mein bahut waqt hai”. So t2 decided to steer clear of love and threw a rapid fire round her way...

When you get angry, you?

Become completely silent or start crying.

What if your partner cheated on you?

He wouldn’t be my partner anymore!

Your compatible sunsign?

Virgo. Actually Capricorns get along with almost everyone.

The craziest thing you’ve done?

Lots of crazy things. The other day we were stuck at a traffic signal in the car and my friend challenged me to get out of the car, look around and sit back. I did it! In front of all the other people stuck in the jam.

Baby boy or baby girl?

Babies and me? Not happening. I’m really impatient with children.

The most painful thing you’ve done for beauty?

Waxing! And I hate head massages too.

Strip poker or teen patti?

Strip poker!

Silver shine

• What: Launch of Lucera, a jewellery store.

• Where: South City Mall.

• When: February 7.

• Silver spread: All that glitters is not gold indeed. It’s silver! Lucera, the sterling silver jewellery brand of Renaissance Retail Venture Pvt. Ltd (RRVPL) launched its flagship store in the city’s newest mall, after its Shoppers’ Stop outlet last June.

Spread across 550 sq-ft, the brand offers jewellery that is “wearable and affordable”. There are rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets in over 1,000 designs on display.

Lucera’s Valentine’s collection was unveiled by actress Vidya Balan on Thursday and comes in delicate heart and circular shapes, studded with champagne diamonds, solitaires, cubic zirconia and pink tourmaline in gold and sterling silver. There are over 35 designs in silver and 20 designs in gold. A two-tone effect using both metals adds double sheen to the Valentine’s collection.

“A trend that has caught on is of more women going for bracelets when they buy a ring or earrings,” said R.K. Menon, CEO, RRVPL.

• Pocket pinch: The silver range with cubic zirconia is priced between Rs 600 and Rs 1,500 and the gold-diamond range starts from Rs 2,500 and goes up to Rs 15,000.

• Voiceover: “Buying jewellery is no more a thing of luxury, it is more a fashion accessory. There is gold and then there is junk jewellery so there is a huge gap in the market where sterling silver fits in,” said Menon.