Many People Are Trapped In Loveless Marriages

Come June 12, Emraan Hashmi-Vidya Balan starrer Hamari Adhuri Kahani hits the theatres. SpotboyE.com caught up with Vidya at her Juhu residence. Excerpts from the interview:

Why are we seeing you on the silver screen after a year? Where were you for so long? 
I mostly end up doing only one film in a year, plus I had health issues last year which also led me to opt out from a film (Read: Sujoy Ghosh's Durga Rani Singh).

All sorted now?
Yeah, all good.

How did Hamari Adhuri Kahani happen?
After Aashiqui 2, I walked up to Mohit Suri and told him that I wanted to work with him. I am generally shy to say such a thing to anyone, but couldn't refrain this time. Then I called up Bhatt saab (Mahesh) and told him that I have longed to work with him as a director even before I became an actor. Aashiqui 2 was a beauty. A couple of weeks later, Bhatt saab called to say that he had a film for me. He said he will write it and Mohit will wield the megaphone. 

Did that send you on cloud nine?
I was delighted that I was getting to work with Bhatt saab as a writer at least. I can never forget his film Arth. I used to enact scenes from Arth when I was in college. When Arth released, I often found myself pretending at home that I was studying in my room when I was actually enacting Shabana Azmi 's dialogue from the film:Kavita tum sun rahi ho na? Remember that scene wherein Shabana calls up Smita to say that she should free her husband (Kulbhushan Kharbanda)? I can never forget it. 
 

Did you undergo any preparation for the role in Hamari Adhuri...?
I think every film requires some kind of preparation. Since I play a florist, I met one to understand how they hold the flowers, cut the stems and make the beautiful arrangements. All said and done, Mohit is not the kind of director who will sit to elaborate on things. I remember we used to often sit and just chat about things other than the film. We soon became very comfortable with each other. Add this to the fact that Emraan and I had worked in Ghanchakkar.  I knew I was in a very good set-up. I couldn't wait for the film to start.

And then?
I kept meeting Bhatt saab from time to trime. He says things which are so fascinating that you want to cling on to every word. And then he gave me a book 'A Taste Of Life: The Last Days of U G Krishnamurti' which talks about his special bond with Mr Krishnamurti (spiritual teacher). Bhatt saab said that the book would help me to understand 'unconditional love'. I read it in one go.     

What is your role in Hamari Adhuri...?
My character Vasudha is in a loveless marriage. Anybody can find him/herself in such a situation, it happens to many of us.

The promos of Hamari Adhuri... suggest that you're advocating that those who are trapped in loveless marriages reserve the right to seek love outside?
I am not advocating anything of that sort per se. But a lot of time people stay back in marriages because of societal pressure and kids. Many times we literally choose to be in unhappy situations because we believe that's the right thing to do. Everybody has an adhuri kahaani, an unfinished story in his/her life. I feel we should listen to our heart in such situations (pauses).

Go on...
So, either make peace with your loveless marriage or...  And what if you are in not just a loveless marriage but also one in which your partner is abusive and disrespectful? What if there is marital rape involved? Does it make sense to suffer and continue such shaadis? Besides, let me tell you that Vasudha doesn't run out for love, it just happens to her. Trust me, the film will find resonance with a lot of people. 

Your last two films, Ghanchakkar and Bobby Jasoos, didn't click at the box-office...
It was definitely very disappointing for me that they didn't. You invest so much in a film, and if it doesn't run, it can be heartbreaking. But I guess with time, one needs to learn and move on. 

What's next after Hamari Adhuri...?
(Smiles) A film which I shall tell you about very soon. It's early days. I can't talk about it now.

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