When Vidya Balan turned down Rani Mukerji's role in Laga Chunari Mein Daag (a good decision perhaps in hindsight), her mentor Pradeep Sarkar, who had approached her with the role, did not take it lightly.
Pradeep was the one who launched Vidya in Parineeta (2005) as the quintessential Indian saari-clad, coy woman, resplendent in the beauty of her simplicity. The film won her a lot of praise.
After several years, Pradeep and Vidya are finally building bridges by deciding to work together once again, reports Mumbai Mirror.
Sarkar has been telling his friends in the industry that he wants to cast Vidya in his next film, which will be a costume drama.
Five days ago, Mehboob Studios (Bandra) was a scene of emotional tears when the mentor and the muse came face-to-face. Both of them were a trifle uneasy in the beginning, but as the camera started rolling, it all seemed like yesterday.
Amitabh Bachchan was also present at the venue. “Bachchan told Sarkar that he and Vidya had created magic in Parineeta and that they should work together again,” says an eyewitness.
Says a source, “Sarkar and Vidya had patched up sometime ago, but there was never any project on the anvil where they would come together again.
But now, all that is a thing of the past. The commercial shot at Mehboob Studios erased all the prevalent discomfort if any.”
While Sarkar remained unavailable for comment, Vidya said, “It was like old times. I was very happy to work with Dada (as she calls Sarkar) again.”
