In an engaging session at the Mumbai LitFest titled “Celebrating Women: The Shashi Baliga Memorial Session My Medley,” a rich dialogue unfolded among Vidya Balan, Ila Arun, and Anjula Bedi.
The spotlight was on Ila Arun’s eagerly awaited autobiography, “Parde Ke Peechhey,” which, to the audience’s delight, featured a segment dedicated to Vidya Balan. This session provided a platform for Arun to share her profound respect for Balan, likening her to the legendary Meena Kumari.
During the session, an intriguing detail emerged as it was disclosed that Arun’s autobiography harbors a special chapter about Vidya Balan, stirring excitement among the attendees. A passage from this chapter was shared, revealing Arun’s deep admiration for Balan, especially her performance in “Parineeta” (2005). Arun praised Balan for her unique presence in cinema, contrasting her with other actresses of the time and commending her for embodying the grace and elegance reminiscent of classic film heroines, particularly Meena Kumari.
Ila Arun’s reflections on working with Vidya Balan further enriched the discussion. She remarked on Balan’s exceptional adaptability and skill in front of the camera, sharing insights from their time together on set. Arun observed Balan’s ability to embody complex characters, as evidenced in her role in “Begum Jaan.” Despite concerns that Balan was too young for such a seasoned role, Arun noted her capability to convey deep emotional turmoil, suggesting Balan would perfectly fit roles like those played by Meena Kumari, especially in a potential biopic of the iconic actress.
“I cannot forget how impressed I was when I saw Vidya in ‘Parineeta.’ She was different from the other actresses who looked like models. She was a mature woman, having the beauty and elegance of the actresses of old times. She brought back the dignity of the original Parineeta, the beautiful Meena Kumari in the 1953 film. In fact, she seemed to represent the heroines of all eras of Hindi films. Her expressive face effortlessly spoke volumes. She looked like a Bengali too. Her eyes, her gestures, her body language, they were enough to convey her emotions without the need for words,” Arun shared in her book.
Arun further emphasized, “I got to know her well and on the sets, I got to see how talented she is and how she transforms herself the moment the camera is on her. In Begum Jaan, she was too young to be the madam of a kotha. Shabana had done a similar role in Mandi and she looked the part because she was a seasoned actress. She had even put on weight for the role but for Vidya, it was a great responsibility to take on a role like this at such a young age. I told her that I saw Meena Kumari in her and that she should do Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam 1962, which was released originally. She would be perfect for the role. She had the emotional strength to express her pain and her desire, the loneliness of a dejected woman. I also told her that she was the right actress to do a biopic of Meena Kumari.”
The event wrapped up with a beautiful performance by Ila Arun, with Vidya Balan joining her on stage, marking a fitting end to the session that celebrated the enduring spirit of women in cinema. Through her words and music, Arun shared a touching tribute to Balan, signifying the mutual respect and admiration between the two artists.
