[Lillie_Steins]

While there's a smouldering sensuality, she also does near-docile roles in her own way. Nihalani films like Aakrosh, Ardh Satya for example. The sensuality is controlled IMO.

On Azmi-Patil difference, none more so than "Arth" !

[doctorzlo]

Isn't the whole point that there is 'sensuality' even in house-woman girl-next-door types? Especially that most of Tamil films are centered on romantic interest of its hero.

One couldn't associate her with roles that calls for blatant sensuality (while vidya could be - isn't that your concern here? ). I said 'some kind of a 'authentic' figure for certain type of roles ' in terms of Educated city-bred girl (around 80's Tamil cinema) who doesn't fit into Tamil stereotypes (which are played by Ambika, Ramya Krishnan, Gauthami, etc) where there's a necessity to be 'domesticated' and the woman put to her place.

[Beerinkol]

I'm not a big fan of Miss Balan. But I think she makes a good pair with Maddy.

On Balan:
I watched Ishqiya, I liked it (Especially the bifurcation of two male characters on basis of madonna-whore complex and especially N'shah's Saraswathi-like 'agape love' of Veena-playing Balan, & reverberation to the photo (madonna figure) in his purse - the subsequent revelation, etc ) Even though she wasn't groundbreaking. She has a authentic house woman look that would fit this prototype. Didn't think much of the parts of her doing the other end of the spectrum (Vamp).

Guru - Apart from wheel chair immobility and kissing scene, I don't recollect any finer aspects of her acting.

The aforementioned ('authentic' madonna) point on Ishqiya also stands for Paa, Eklavya, and Parineeta...

[Drugmachine]

Yeah, but the sensuality doesn't work. Perhaps she should do more roles of full-fledged celibacy. The sensualism isn't her USP.

[LottiFurmann]

airtel pair - vidya balan

Plum,
Fee wards on Vidya Balan please

Did anyone mention Gayathri Joshi? Kood! Amala-ku nigar illennaalum, kittathatta andha ragam.... Adhula paarunga...

[softy54534]

kid, adhAvadhu a refurbished NadhiyangarInga?

[doctorzlo]

Oh, I never thought much of Nadhiya as a pure actress but her USP was also some kind of a 'authentic' figure for certain type of roles (In Balan's case, there is a dearth of female talent in actress category). So yeah, a fair comparison. :P

[Drugmachine]

The 'cute' factor of Nadhiya is 'dated'. One is eternally grateful for Amala (the scene in the mall in Pushpak with quiet gestures to Kamal back and forth )

[LottiFurmann]

The other day Smita Patil was brought-up by folks. My blowing-off mind to think of her reprising Balan's part in Ishqiya

[Fegasderty]

தங்க தலைவி ஸ்ரேயா..!

[brraverishhh]

[Lillie_Steins]

kid, adhAvadhu a refurbished NadhiyangarInga?

Ha, that would be a fairly ridiculous charge to make against Vidya Balan, I say! This is again quite like the Shalini episode. Imagining the "house woman," or the "girl/woman next door" if you will, as divorced from any sort of overt sensuality is quite problematic.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

You have any arguments on my charge against Miss Balan, Equa?

[radikal]

You have any arguments on my charge against Miss Balan, Equa?

Oh, not necessarily (actually, not sure if I follow your criticisms). My point is simply that she just can't be boxed in to the archetypal Madonna figure (or a sAtvIkam figure if you will). She has been playing roles charged with sensuality right from her first film, Parineeta.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

If you're referring to the 'sensual' aspects of a woman making a 'good pair' with a man (As I suggested she makes a good pair with Maddy). Obviously, one doesn't go to gross details here, but still one can make out from just a snapshot of two posing together. The vibes are good. But there isn't a clear distinction of it being fully sensual.

[LottiFurmann]

But then, who are these truly sensual actors? Examples? I don't mean to argue that Vidya Balan is indeed among the most sensual actors in Indian cinema. I think she's sensual, but if someone doesn't, there's very little to discuss. However, (and this is my point) I'm suspicious of the nature of 'identification' here. To put it simply, I find it too predictable.

Actually, more needs to be said about this dichotomy with the audience, for a change, as the subject. Dibakar Banerjee's 'Love, Sex Aur Dhoka' has this very interesting references to the behenji archetype, in every case as if it's a self-evident identity; i.e. the girl is "behenji-type" simply because she has a certain kind of look. One doesn't even have to get all "bleeding-heart" to say this. Isn't there an obvious pattern here?

A Vidya Balan has to shed her girl-next-door image, an Amrita Rao or a Priya Mani also have to do the same. And take a closer look at this whole idea of shedding one's girl-next-door image. The process never quite completes. They keep shedding it forever.

[9mm_fan]

The nature of 'identification' was also the point of Shah-Warsi in Ishqiya.

Vidya doesn't quite show right gestures of being 'sensual'. At least, there aren't enough 'suggestions' of such. There isn't a semblance of 'pleasure' there (on the other hand, Shalini does do it for me in AlaipayuthE - especially in songs)

There's a scene in Mandi where Azmi and Smita Patil have an intimate moment, it's not so much that they have their own 'image' or 'identifcation' that is at odds here, but their expression in the scene that's extremely important ( that alone makes that scene more 'intimate' or 'sensual' - implication of a homosexual relationship - and not necessarily platonic 'love' )

For a straight example, Annalakshmi to Sandiyar in Virumandi as against Muththazhagu to Paruthiveeran in PV. The former is spot-on while the later was

[MannoFr]

I think you're talking about frame of mind based on 'look' & 'figure', while I'm only judging the execution.

[brraverishhh]

I did say there's a dearth of talent t oday. I also suggested (if it isn't clear already) that Smita Patil is infinitely more nuanced and skilled in this respect.

[TorryJens]

Yes, I did think your criticism is more about her 'portrayal' as a whole rather than just her looks. I'm not a fan of her as an actor, frankly. I'm just trying to understand how and where Nadiya and she meet!

Vidya doesn't quite show right gestures of being 'sensual'. At least, there aren't enough 'suggestions' of such. There isn't a semblance of 'pleasure' there (on the other hand, Shalini does do it for me in AlaipayuthE - especially in songs)

Oddly, I've heard some people say quite the opposite -- that she self-consciously plays her roles in a coquettish way. And actually I agree with that.