Bollywood News

Actress Vidya Balan is all praise for her Ishqiya co-star Arshad Warsi but rues that he is the most underutilised actor in the industry.

"He is the most underutilised actor in the industry. He is a very talented actor who performs every role with so much conviction that he leaves a mark on audiences' minds, " Balan told reporters at a press conference here at the Big Cinemas.

"Today, people remember him as Circuit of 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' but I am sure after watching 'Ishqiya' they will remember him as Babban. He is a wonderful actor to work with, " she added.

Set in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, the crime-thriller is about the revenge of a widow, played by Vidya, and how she uses Arshad and Naseeruddin Shah's characters to execute her plan to find her "dead" husband.

"I have learnt a lot from Naseer sir and Arshad during the making of the movie. They are so secure actors that I was like imbibing a lot from them. It was give and take process throughout the movie, " said Vidya.

Releasing Friday, the film has been directed by Abhishek Chaubhey and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj.

Vidya also revealed that initially she was a bit nervous about working with Naseer.

"I won't say I was scared, but yes I was very nervous. Initially, I didn't used to talk to him. I guess he discovered that and broke the ice, " she said.

Was it difficult for you to do the kissing scene in "Ishqiya"?

"It was the demand of the script. I did what was required for the movie. These scenes are very tricky to direct. They can look very obscene if not shot properly. But I knew that the people I was working with will do justice to the scene, " she said.

"Once you understand the script and your character, all inhibitions just vanish. One can easily overcome any obstacle, " she added.