Vidya Balan gets painted

Artist Anjanna Kuthiala’s secret is out! Her next portrait in the series ‘Maya-Shakti-Maa’ will have actress Vidya Balan on her canvas.

The actress herself will unveil the painting and sign her painting on March 9 in Mumbai, on the day of the release of her film where she plays a pregnant woman. Although Anjanna didn’t really get enough time to work on the painting well in advance, she couldn’t be happier. She has always wanted to do a portrait of the actor. To her, Vidya signifies the three roops of the Devi. And incidentally, spanning her career, Vidya has played all three and more.

Says Anjanna, “She is all about ‘Maya’, the physical self in The Dirty Picture; about ‘Shakti’ as her power in Bollywood is supreme; and as ‘Maa’ in her earlier film Paa, and now in her latest film, where she plays the role of a pregnant woman in search of her husband. She just naturally, effortless fits in.” Anjanna is not hesitant when it comes to lauding Vidya, even putting her on a pedestal. “I’ve only, always wanted to paint her. I’ve been bowled over by her performances. In Bhool Bhulaiya she was mind blowing as a woman possessed… I’ve seen it from close quarters, there’s been someone similar in my family, and that’s the way a person possessed would behave. I’ve always been impressed by her acting prowess. I laud her for her tremendous guts,” Anjanna gushes, adding, “I know Vidya has gone through rejection early in her career, but her amazing strength as a woman has helped her reach the pinnacle of success. She is the perfect example of the fact that shakti remains dormant till it is allowed to overpower her world of senses.”

The artist has production stills from the film, which will be culled out on the canvas.

“The painting is inspired by the film but will have my connotation of her. It’s Vidya as I see her. The film poster shows her sad, but I’d want her to have a happy look. That is where my liberties as an artist comes in,” says Anjanna, who informs that the painting is also linked to the art event on March 15 in Delhi.

“Vidya lends herself to painting beautifully. Her face is a delight to an artist.” All she is worried about is that it’s an oil painting, and drying up takes up time. “But I’ll paint in a way so it dries up quickly,” she smiles optimistically.