By Joginder Tuteja
Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) Promos of “Ishqiya” have caught on in a big way and it is obvious by now that Vidya Balan would be seen in a never-seen-before role in it. The actor is thrilled about her role in the dark drama which is releasing Friday.

“When it comes to cinema, time and again women are seen and heard in a certain manner. Also, they are not necessarily shown to be their own self and are instead driven by people around her,” Vidya told IANS.

“However, in the case of ‘Ishqiya’, the portrayal of women is entirely different. That’s because Krishna (her character) is a woman who is ‘direct dil se’,” added Vidya.

What do you mean by ‘direct dil se’?

“Well, she is someone who will do what she wants. In fact, the most thrilling part for me was that I was playing a bad woman for the first time. This doesn’t mean though that she doesn’t have good shades at all. She has both sides to her persona and this is why she is an epitome of grey,” she said.

Directed by Abhishek Chaubhey and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj, the film is set in a small town in Uttar pradesh. Vidya will be seen in it as a widow with an air of mystery around her. She is also a bundle of contradictions as she makes two men - Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi - belonging to different age groups dance to her tune.

“Krishna is someone whom you can’t deceive and in case you catch her on the wrong foot you are doomed. If she loves someone, she does so with an open heart and is all passionate. On the other hand, you make yourself her enemy and she won’t think twice about showing the violent and aggressive side of hers.”

She also engages herself in a lustful bout with another man.

“This is what makes Krishna so special. She is a consummate Indian woman who can be a mother as well as a caretaker. She would make ‘chai’ and food for you when you wish while in closed doors she would expect her own needs and desire to be fulfilled. She is Rambha, Saraswati, Durga and Kaali - all brought together in one body.”

“2009 ended on a positive note for me with ‘Paa’ turning out to be such a good commercial success while also gaining immense critical acclaim. Now in the case of ‘Ishqiya’, I genuinely hope that people like the film.”