All you need is merit. ..

Indian cinema's most awarded actress Vidya Balan was in cown recently to l atmch the lndian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFF.M) 2014.

'Vidya has made a stellar career and carved an enviable niche for herself _in tl1e Indian film industry.Just before returning to India co receive the prestigious Padmashri award, India's highest civilian honour on March 31, Vidya spoke to Indian Li11k in an exc lusive intervie,v.

Preeti Jabbal (PJ):

This is your foutth trip to Melbourne and the third as Brand Ambassador of IFFM. What has been different this time?

Vidya Bal an (VB ): (La ughing) Th is year has been m y shortest trip co Jl,'1elbourne and mat'.5 different! But the main difference tl1 is year is that we are introducing competitive awards at the IF™, and we have a fabulous jur y who will decide on the winners.

W im each year we try to add a ne\v layer, and we are very excited about these upcoming awards Overall me IFFM will showcase about 40 films in 20 different lang uages, there will be so me fabulous master classes, a short lilm competition and a Bollywood dance competition.

T he Festival will host some very importam guests like Amirnbh Bachchan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, and SL1basini Maniracnam, among others. The IFFM 2014 promises to be full o f exciting activities and events.

PJ: There is a lot of excitement in India as many actresses have joined the election fray like Kira.a Kher, Rakhi Sawant, Gui Panag, a mong others. What

10 APRIL 2014 is your opinion on the coexistence of films and politics in India?

YD: I tl1ink people leverage meir stardom b y entering poli tics, but 1 am not abom to join the fray. I believe that if there is ever going to be a time when 1 am ready to do more for tlie country than m ys el f, that is when l may emer politics; however, currently I do not have a political beur of mind at all. M y contribution will be that of an average citizen as I am hoping to cast m y vote and help e lect me r ight representatives, and hopefully have some good leadership in tl1e counrcy.

PJ: In recent times lnclia has earned a bad name in Australia on the issue of women safety, do you think this situation will 1ntprove?

\' B: Yes, mere have been lots of unfortunate incidents of violence against women and rapes in India, however it's not something tliat will change overnight; we will req Lute attitudinal changes and more stringent law enforcement Fo.r women to feel safe in general, tl1ese two need to be ou.r main focus.

PJ: There have been sonu: recent con tcoversial issues on the 'No Pregnancy Clause' in the lnclian film industry. How do you feel about signing this clause?

VB1 I don't have a problem with it.

PJ: Don't you think this is an infringement on women's rights?

VB : 1 think it's unfair if you are in the middle o f a film tl1at d oes not require you co play a pregnant character, and i f 5rou get pregnant, it staHs the project. It's about commitment and l do not see how it is an i nfri ngement on women's rigb ts. \XTe a.re new age women and we lead our lives the way we want to, we are unapologetically professional. so l do not see any harm in signi ng a clause, if required. You need to plan rou life accordingly. In any case I do not want to be working when Tam pregnant as I am sure I would want co take it easy Most women like to be pampered at that time.

PJ: Traditionally in the Inclian film industry once an actress marries, she tends to get insignificant roles o r she simply fades away Has your experience been any cliffereat?

VB : B y God's grace I have even beccer opportunities than I had before Igor married. I am tnvolved in some ,,ery exciting projects and have a lot co look forward co. l'vfy marriage has 11or changed anythi ng fo r me. I am sute of my relationship with films, and people a re sure of my commitment to films. I feel things are changing ra~idly and tliankfolly within tlie i ndustr y, but I can only speak for myself, not for otl.1ers. Being an actor is a non- negotiable part of me even if 1 was to take a break, and no matter what happens, I will always be passionate about acting.

PJ: Melbourne gir l P a llavi Sharda has done well in In dian films with out a go dfa t her, similar to you Can other peo p le also be assured that they too c an be successful b a sed o n merit in this in d ustry?

V B : Abso1utel)7 ! l was forn1.nate ro have God, my parents and m y family who have always supported me. Merit is the one and o n ly thing that goes a long way cowards being successful. I strongly believe that mer it is nonnegotiable. That's the only thing chat takes you far. For exampl e, belongi ng co a star family can give you the initial opportunities, but beyond that you have to prove yorn own credentials 1 am Jiving proof of the fact that aU you need is merit.