Vidya Balan in Heyy Babyy

After her very Bharatiya avatars in Parineeta and Eklavya and her cute Jahnvi act in Lage Raho Munnabhai, VIDYA BALAN is going all glam in this Friday’s big release Heyy Babyy. Here’s what the Pradeep Sarkar discovery has to say about the Sajid Khan movie.

Your look is really different in Heyy Babyy...

Yes, I have this glam western look thanks to Manish (Malhotra). He has always been known to create magic with his heroines. He has given me a very different look in this movie. I hope he creates magic with me, too.

In Salaam-E-Ishq, Eklavya and Guru this year your performances were appreciated, but you had rather small roles. What about Heyy Babyy?

There were reasons why I did the earlier films. I’m happy I did them. They were all part of my learning curve. I feel you should be convinced about a film, a role and the director. I am happy with the roles I have done; and I hope Heyy Babyy only makes me happier.

What made you agree to do Heyy Babyy?

When Sajid (Khan) came to me with this film, he narrated a 10-minute storyline to me. I was convinced about the story and my character. I had this innate faith in Sajid that he would make a great film because his cinematic sensibilities are absolutely in place. I love his sense of humour, so I instantly said yes and everything just fell into place. We have a great cast and superb technicians. The good thing about Sajid is that he ensures a very chilled-out atmosphere. It helps you give your best shot.

Do you have a comic role like the three heroes?

No, this particular role is not comic. I would love to do a comedy and I would love to do one with Sajid. I wish he repeats this team in his next film and, will hopefully, make an out-and-out comedy. In Heyy Babyy I’m the point of conflict. That’s all I can divulge now (smiles).

Why has the film been set in Sydney?

The film is about Indians settled abroad. Heyy Babyy simply but very effectively underlines the fact that ‘You can get out of India but you cannot get India out of you’. The ethical values of an Indian remain the same no matter which part of the world he is in.

What do you play in the film?

My character has shaped up really well. I am amazed that Sajid came to me with this role. There is a certain emotion I am expected to portray in this film, which no other director I have met so far would probably even associate me with. But Sajid had the conviction and he came to me. Since it is something I have not done before as an actor, I was always a bit high-strung while shooting for the film. I was a bit unsure and it took me a bit of time to get my bearings; but Sajid was absolutely clear about the way he wanted things. Plus, I was working with this amazing bunch of co-stars who just made life so much simpler.

How did your co-stars made it simpler for you?

It was like a mad house. Each one of them is madder than the other. They helped me unleash the madness in me. They treated me like a guy on the sets. So much so that when I was asked to pose amongst the melee of men for the music release, I was like, “Wow, I finally feel like a woman”. The guys treated me like a buddy; it almost felt like I was back in college. Many pranks were played on me and I also joined in. Both the Sajids (Khan and Nadiadwala, the producer) were great fun.

What pranks were played on the sets?

We were shooting our first schedule in Madh Island and there was this model who was shooting with us. We were playing dumb charades and this model happened to mention to us that she was planning to sack her driver because he had come drunk to work. Sajid (Khan) and Akshay (Kumar) just took off on her. “How can you sack your driver?” They scared the living daylights out of her. Sajid told her: “Do din pehle mere padosi ne apne driver ko kaam se nikaal diya aur aaj uska khoon ho gaya.” The model was petrified because she had to drive back all alone from Madh Island to Bandra. Akshay hurriedly wrote a note and sent it to her. It was a letter purportedly containing a “threat” from the driver. She was scared out of her wits. We couldn’t bear it anymore so we finally let the cat out of the bag.

Who was your favourite co-star — Akshay, Fardeen or Riteish?

My favourite co-star is the baby! Look, I had a great time with all my three heroes, so I can’t pick and choose.

What’s next on the cards?

Halla Bol with Ajay Devgan, Bhool Bhulaiya with Akshay (Kumar) and Shiney (Ahuja), and Aziz Mirza’s next, an untitled film with Shahid Kapur.