Vidya Balan to venture into Marathi cinema

Vidya Balan has more than proved her mettle in Bollywood. And now, if all goes as per plan, she will soon be venturing into new territory, by acting in a Marathi film.

Vidya Balan has more than proved her mettle in Bollywood. And now, if all goes as per plan, she will soon be venturing into new territory, by acting in a Marathi film.

When contacted, Vidya confirms the news, saying, “Yes, I’ve got a very interesting offer for a Marathi film, but I don’t have time until next year. So I’m trying to work it out.”

Reportedly, the makers were eager to have Vidya start shooting in two-three months. However, since she is busy with other films — Bobby Jasoos and Hamari Adhuri Kahaani — she will only be able to start shooting for the Marathi film after she’s done with her present schedules.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Vidya will be acting in a regional film. She, in fact, made her film debut with Goutam Halder’s Bengali film, Bhalo Theko (2003). She also had a special appearance in Santosh Sivan’s Malayalam film, Urumi (2011). “At this point of her career, Vidya’s looking for this kind of film. That’s why she is trying her best to accommodate it in her already-packed schedule,” says an insider close to the actor.

Others foraying into Marathi films-

Salman Khan: To do a cameo in Riteish Deshmukh’s second Marathi production, Lai Bhaari, to be directed by Nishikant Kamat.
Riteish Deshmukh: To make his Marathi debut in the same film, touted to have a budget of `8 crore.
Urmila Matondkar: To play a wildlife researcher in Sujay Dahake’s Ajoba, based on a real story.
Tanishaa Mukherji: Kajol’s sister to be paired opposite Sumeet Raghavan in Anntar, being handled by Akshay Kumar’s production house.
Shreyas Talpade: To make his Marathi film debut as a home-grown superhero in Baji, his second Marathi production after the 2008 movie, Sanai Chaughade.