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Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Vidhu Vinod Chopra told Vidya Balan to get a nose job before Parineeta, she was terrified: ‘Tera naak bohot lamba hai, surgery karte hain'
Vidya Balan made a remarkable entry into Hindi cinema with Parineeta, an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novella. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and produced by veteran filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film marked the beginning of her Bollywood journey. While she fondly remembers her association with Sarkar, who believed in her talent even as a newcomer, Vidya recently opened up about a moment that left her shaken just before filming began. In a candid conversation with Filmfare, the actor recalled how producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra suggested she undergo plastic surgery. 'He told me, 'Tera naak bohot lamba hai, surgery karwate hai.' Main dar gayi (He told me, 'Your nose is too long, let's get a surgery done.' I got scared). And I was like, 'I'm not going to do this'. And I'll tell you why, because to this day I have not touched my face. I get a facial done once in a while, and that's about it. I'm very particular, ki jaisa hai waisa hai, Bhagwan ne diya hai, bohot achha diya hai (The way it is, that's how it is. God gave it to me, and He gave it beautifully).' She also shared another difficult episode from her early years, before Parineeta, when she was working on a Malayalam film. The makers had asked her to change her surname, something she was deeply uncomfortable with. 'During my Malayalam film, they told me there is Manju Warrier, there is Samyukta Varma, who used their community names as their surnames. So you should also be called Vidya Iyer, not Vidya Balan. I changed my name and I cried, but my parents told me, 'You will always be Vidya Balan.' But again, they didn't know, right? The director and producer wrote to everyone saying, 'You're an Iyer anyway, so it's okay.' And then that film didn't happen. So I was very sure—if there is something I'm not comfortable doing, then it will definitely not work out. So when Mr Chopra told me, I was like, main dar gayi, and I came back and spoke to Dada (Pradeep Sarkar). I told him, 'Dada, aap sambhal lo…' and he was like, 'Nahi nahi, main manage kar lunga ('Dada, you handle it…' and he said, 'No, no, I'll manage it)'.' Also Read | Vidya Balan says Rekha is 'desire incarnate': 'I think she was made for the celluloid' Despite the pressures, Vidya reflected warmly on her experience working with Chopra's production house, calling it a 'protected environment' that helped her grow. 'I did my first three films with Vinod Chopra Films, so that's like my alma mater. I came from a protected environment, very disciplined, very professional. All the prep was done beforehand, you didn't waste time on set at all. These are things I learnt early on, and of course they added to my South Indian discipline anyway.' Last month, Parineeta completed 20 years, marking two decades of Vidya Balan in the Hindi film industry. She was last seen in the blockbuster horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.


Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Navas death: Police suspect cardiac arrest, fans mourn on social media
Picture Credit: X Trigger Warning: The article contains references to an individual's death Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas passed away at the age of 51. As per a report by ANI, the actor was found dead in his hotel room in Chottanikkara, Kochi. The news was confirmed by Kochi police, though the exact cause of death remains unknown at this time. Sudden demise shocks industry and fans Kalabhavan Navas's untimely demise has led the film fraternity and his fans to share their tributes on social media platforms, with many expressing disbelief over the tragic news. Actor Rony David Raj, who recently worked with Navas in the film 'Detective Ujjwalan', took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note. "Rest in peace, my dear co-star," he wrote, along with a picture from the sets. Fans, too, flooded Navas's Instagram posts with messages of grief and condolence. Cardiac arrest suspected As per a report from The Hindu, authorities suspect he suffered a cardiac arrest, although the exact cause will be confirmed after the post-mortem, scheduled at Kalamassery's Government Medical College Hospital. Navas was staying in the hotel as part of the shooting schedule for the Malayalam film 'Prakambanam'. Hotel staff raised the alarm when he did not check out as expected and was found unconscious in his room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jolie-Pitt Family Shows Support For Shiloh's Change Drivepedia Undo The police confirmed that no suspicious circumstances were found at the scene. A celebrated career in mimicry and films Born in Kerala, Kalabhavan Navas's career began as a mimicry artist. He was associated with the renowned Kalabhavan troupe, where his comic timing and talent gained recognition. Navas made his acting debut in the 1995 Malayalam film 'Chaithanyam' and went on to feature in several comedy and character roles. His performances in films like 'Hitler Brothers', 'Junior Mandrake', 'Meenakshi Kalyanam', 'Chandamama', and 'Thillana Thillana' were particularly loved by audiences. He was most recently seen in the mystery-comedy 'Detective Ujjwalan', where his performance was appreciated for its humour and charm. He is survived by his wife and three children.


India.com
43 minutes ago
- India.com
Malayalam Actor Kalabhavan Navas Found Dead At 51 In Kochi Hotel: Report
New Delhi: Renowned Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas passed away on Friday evening at the age of 51. He was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Chottanikkara, Ernakulam, where he had been staying while filming for an upcoming movie. Initial reports indicate that the cause of death was a suspected heart attack. As per a report by Manorama News, Navas had been in Chottanikkara shooting for the Malayalam film Prakambanam. He had completed his scenes and was scheduled to check out of the hotel on Friday evening. A staff member, who went to confirm his departure, found him unconscious in the room. Navas was then rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. The body is currently being held at SD Tata Hospital in Chottanikkara, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for Saturday, after which the remains will be handed over to his family. Kalabhavan Navas was a celebrated figure in Kerala's entertainment industry, known for his work as a mimicry artist, comedian, and character actor. He made his silver screen debut in the 1995 film Chaithanyam and went on to play supporting and comedic roles in numerous Malayalam films, including audience favourites like Mattupetti Machan, Junior Mandrake, and Amma Ammayi Amma. His performances often brought humour and depth to otherwise minor roles, making him a familiar and beloved presence on screen. Beyond films, Navas was active in the television industry and frequently appeared in comedy shows and stage performances across Kerala and the Gulf countries. Artistry ran in Navas's family. His father, the late Aboobacker, was a well-respected actor and theatre artist in the Malayalam cultural sphere. His wife, Rehana, is also an actor, and his brother, Kalabhavan Niyas, is known for his work in mimicry and cinema. The Malayalam film fraternity and fans across the world mourn the untimely loss.