When real meets reel

Vidya Balan felt overwhelmed when she first met her character in real life. Read on to know more.

Vidya Balan is a multi tasker. Even in the middle of an interview, that the actor gives on her way from the waiting lounge of the Delhi airport to her flight, she politely obliges fans with autographs and pictures.

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As we get chatting — between airport announcements — about her next release, No One Killed Jessica, she surprises us by saying that she was not excited when she was first offered Sabrina Lall’s role in the film based on model Jessica Lal’s murder in ‘99. "My first reaction was ‘What are you going to say that we don’t know?’" she says. "But when I read the script, I could not put it down.

More importantly, I liked the emotional journey of Sabrina. We only knew what we read in the newspapers, but here you see what went on within the four walls of Sabrina’s house."

Vidya first met Sabrina at the launch of the promo in Delhi. “I was a bit overwhelmed. Having played the real life character, it is a feeling I can’t express. As a citizen, I admire her for her grit and determination. But to finally meet her after the verdict... I was at a loss for words. Even she was very emotional and said, “Finally I get to meet you’.”

The actress says that she never had any apprehensions about playing a real life character that everyone is familiar with. “I knew that this is a role that would stir emotions in people. Although I had seen her on TV, we had decided that I would not speak to her because we did not want her to relive the pain and the emotions. So it was my interpretation of the character,” adds Vidya.