What was the ‘Dirty Picture’ sultry siren, Vidya Balan, doing as the ‘mascot guest of honour’ at an event hosted by ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ to release the audio tracks of the poetic ‘Tere Bayaan Ghalib’ was what baffled most of the select ‘Gen-Now’ invitees. The landmark album offers ghazals by the late maestro Jagjit Singh and a riveting recitation by the illustrious writer-director Gulzar in association with eminent theatre personality Salim Arif known for his ‘Ghalibnaama’ stage shows.
Not many are aware, that Vidya Balan has been trained in Carnatic vocal music and has an ardent passion for music. Much before she had debut-splashed into the Bollywood waters with ‘Parineeta’, this correspondent has bumped into the vibrant Vidya at various early morning and late night classical music fusion ‘live’ concerts which had luminaries like Louis Banks and Hariprasad Chaurasia. Justifying her presence at the album release event, the modest Vidya seemed in a sentimental mode, as she opened up.
“This special occasion is a dream come true for me as I have always had a fetish for Jagjit-ji’s soulful ghazals---they give me so much ‘sukoon’. Secondly Gulzarsaab has always been an ‘iconic’ writer-director for me and it was my esteemed honour when he specially invited me as a special guest.
Thirdly, although I may not be very conversant with high-flown Urdu, I have always loved listening to inspiring shaayris especially those penned by Ghalib-saab. So it was a triple musical- lyrical bonus for a music lover like me.
In fact it has always been my ‘cherished dream’ to work with Gulzarsaab with him as my movie-director. With my presence at this event, I am sure today’s hip-hop generation would make overtures to acquaint themselves with this sureela Ghalib khazaana which is being launched today,” insists the ‘Munnabhai girl’ who seemed upbeat about her yet another award-worthy performance in her next underproduction, or maverick movie ‘Kahaani’ directed by Sujoy Ghosh which is in total contrast to her ‘Dirty Picture’ voluptuous role.
Discloses the ‘Paa’ lead actress, “It’s an intense sensitive role of a distressed, desperate yet determined pregnant wife. My screen-character incidentally is also called Vidya – who comes from overseas and is hell-bent on searching all over for her mysteriously missing husband. It’s a gripping emotional thriller with loads of suspense and intrigue,” she smiles.