Joginder Tuteja

Author backed roles are in for Vidya Balan. Right from playing the title role of Parineeta to being a modern day 'maa' in her last release Paa, Vidya has picked roles that have been substantial.

And there has been an occasional Eklavya- The Royal Guard where she hardly had an appearance worth cheering about but that could be pardoned as 'guru dakshina' to her mentor Vidhu Vinod Chopra who got her Parineeta and Lage Raho Munnabhai.

And now she would be seen in yet another author backed role in No One Killed Jessica where she plays the role of Sabrina Lal, Jessica's sister.

"2009 has been a joyride for me and I feel exhilarated, " exclaims Vidya shortly after her return from a rejuvenating friends and family holiday in far off Kerala where she was stationed for bringing in the New Year followed by her birthday celebrations.

"I was doing films and by God's grace most of them were successful as well. However, the kind of respect that came the way of everyone associated with Paa was overwhelming, heart warming and above all humbling. Now with Ishqiya releasing this Friday and work on No One Killed Jessica beginning in the month of February, the going couldn't have been better."

While she may be confident about what director Raj Kumar Gupta and his team is aspiring to show in the film, not many are expected to appreciate their vision.

After all the Jessica Lal murder case has seen a fair dose of politicians and criminals coming into picture and for a woman like Vidya to feature in the film, it becomes all the more challenging as well as dangerous.

Especially so, because in the past quite a few witnesses too had backtracked from their statement and turned hostile at the last moment.

"I don't fear anything especially for a film like this since everyone in the world knows what had happened, how it had happened and who were the people involved, " she says with a straight face, "Sab kuch pehle din se khula ka khula hai Jessica Lal case ke baare mein. Criminals have been brought to book and justice has already prevailed."

Vidya is known for being one actress who takes her time to green light a project. However, once convinced and on board, she gives it more than 100%. It was this conviction factor that attracted Vidya towards Paa, a critical as well as commercial success, and her upcoming release Ishqiya.

Meanwhile, one wonders what happens to two other major films- Milan Luthria's Beehad and Nikhil Advani's Chand Bhai - that were announced with her in the lead sometimes back. "I really don't know what is happening on Beehad.

It was supposed to happen three years back when Sanjay Dutt was looking at re-launching his father's banner. Also, I am not sure if Chand Bhai is happening either because Nikhil too is making Patiala House now, " signs off Vidya.