Exclusive: Vidya was forbidden from waxing and make-up for Begum Jaan

Vidya Balan’s Begum Jaan is gearing up to be one of the most realistic films in current times. In fact, the director of the upcoming movie, Srijit Mukherjee, has even strictly forbidden the actress from waxing, threading her eyebrows or applying make up while shooting for Begum Jaan.

Vidya will be seen playing a character with grey shades in the movie, for which the filmmaker even asked her to gain a bit of weight. Says Srijit, “I wanted Vidya to gain a bit of weight, and I wanted her baddie avatar to come back, which is something we’ve not seen post Dirty Picture and Ishqiya. I also wanted her to have a tan look to suit the role.”

He adds that weather conditions were perfect for the look. “The sun was so strong. We were shooting under such scorching and extreme weather conditions that tanning happened naturally. I ensured most of the women didn’t have any make up on, so that we could take it to a realistic zone. I also forbade Vidya and most other actors from waxing or threading eyebrows, so you have that wild, rugged look. It’s a very earthy and realistic kind of space they’ve worked in.”

The film is a Hindi adaptation of the Bengali movie, Rajkahini, and will see Vidya playing the role of a brothel’s madam during the partition of India. The film, featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Gauhar Khan in key roles, is slated to release on April 14.