Vidya Balan feels ‘honoured’ to play Geeta Bali

Mumbai, Sep 12: After being seen as sex siren Silk Smitha in c National Award winning actress Vidya Balan has now taken on a cameo as golden era actress Geeta Bali in a Marathi biopic. She considers it an honour.

The biopic, on Bhagwan Dada, traces the late actor-director’s life and the difficulties he faced while making his 1951 released musical "Albela", which featured Geeta Bali, who was considered a popular star then.

"It’s an honour to be playing the effervescent Geeta Bali even if it is just a special appearance, and to be recreating ‘Albela’ for a Marathi biopic on Bhagwan Dada," Vidya said in a statement.

Interestingly, senior make-up artist Vidyadhar Bhatte, who had worked with Vidya in the past, suggested her name to director Shekhar Sartandel, who was on the lookout for someone with a truly Indian face for Geeta Bali’s role.

And after he narrated the script to Vidya, she immediately agreed.

For the role, Vidya will sport Geeta Bali’s look from the original film, but she wouldn’t be required to speak Marathi, said a source close to the actress.