Vidya Balan's love affair with the sari

There have been many actresses who have been pictured in a sari before Vidya Balan came on to the Bollywood scene in 2005. But none have been able to put the spotlight on what's often described as "nine yards of wonder" as much as the actress. At a time when actresses were at pains to showcase their Western sensibilities with designer wear from the most celebrated international couture houses, she dared to make the simple, cotton-spun garment a thing of beauty. Unlike many others of her ilk, she was not a mere clotheshorse to showcase the versatile garment. She made sure that when she wore one - be it silk or hand woven, designer or a cheap mass-produced one, - she owned it. And showed the world that you didn't have to be statuesque or have an hour glass figure to look good in a sari - all you needed was the gumption to wear a traditional garment like it was part of your personality. No fuss, no unnecessary skin show, just pure traditional sari as worn by millions of women in India and many other parts of the world.
The actress who was to walk the ramp for designer Gaurang Shah in Dubai on Saturday, unfortunately had to cancel her trip at the last minute as she has been diagnosed with dengue. Here are excerpts of an interview with the actress on her love for the sari and why it's important to celebrate your imperfections.
Many actresses have popularised the sari as a style statement but somehow when you came to the scene you were able to personalise it in a way that no one else has been able to. To what do you attribute this?
I was always fascinated by the versatility of the garment (sari) and I love wearing a sari in the traditional way. I believe it has the ability to make the women who choose to wear it stand out on any occasion and people like us love flaunting them on red carpets."
Honestly, I don't remember too many actresses wearing the sari for a long time before I came on the scene which is why it stuck in people's head. Frankly after the 80's actresses stopped wearing saris, so in 2007 when I took up wearing a sari, people found it very refreshing. I love the sari, it is an extremely versatile garment, it can be worn to suit any occasion or mood. It is a feminine garment, it embraces your strengths and weaknesses and that is fascinating. 
There was a phase in your career where you were criticised for your fashion choices. In an earlier interview to us you mentioned how you went through a time where you tried to fit in but realised you were not happy or comfortable. Today there are many youngsters who face similar issues. Based on your own experience, what advice would you give them?
The most important lesson I have learnt being an actor is: 'You are an individual and you should celebrate your individuality because there is no point trying to be like anyone else'." Yes, I went through a phase of trial and error, with regard to my fashion choice. I decided to stick to what I like though there was a time when I wasn't wearing anything I liked and people didn't seem to like it either. Now I am enjoying what I wear as I feel good about it. 
While the old dictum says that clothes make a man - there are many designers nowadays who look up to a celebrity to be a face to their label. What are your thoughts on this?
I don't think clothes make a person. It is the person that makes the clothes. But, what's interesting is when a designer is able to create something that is an extension of your personality and that is a good designer for me. Also, I realised there is nothing called perfection. A perfectionist is quite boring to me and it is your imperfections that make you unique. Imagine a world where everyone wears the same, looks the same (that is proportionate to their body), it would be such a monotonous world! 
In the olden days heroines didn't have much say in the costumes that were given to them and you would hear of stories of how some were forced to wear revealing clothes...
I think the kind of films I do are very character driven, so I always had a say in the costumes. I have also worked with extremely talented costume designers who understand the character and how to convey a personality through the clothes, so I have not really had an issue like that. But I do think that I was extremely uncomfortable wearing the kind of clothes I did in Heyy Babyy and Kismat Konnection and that's not so much a reflection of the clothes, but the fact that I was uncomfortable wearing them. 
You are in a privileged position today where you can get the country's top designers to custom-make your saris. Who are your favourites among them?
I think there is a lot of great work happening especially the revival of handlooms. But I do enjoy Gaurang's work a lot and I wear his creations very often because he works extensively and solely on hand woven fabrics. He is reviving so many traditional weaves and crafts. One of the first discoveries I made about Gaurang is that his models don't wear footwear on the ramp, because most of the women in India do not wear high heel footwear. He truly reflects an ethos that is truly Indian.
I also love Anavila Misra and Mira Sagar's work too. I really enjoy the work of designers who work on the revival of handlooms. 
How many saris do you currently have in your closet?
I have quite a few saris. But, what I have begun to do lately is give away my saris either for auction to NGOs or share my saris with friends who are willing to wear a sari that I have worn, because invariably I can't repeat it - they all are exquisite. I also love gifting saris which I have worn; I tell people I have worn them and hope they don't mind wearing them. 
Which is your absolute favourite among your sari collection?
My absolute favourites are the cotton and Kanjivaram saris. I have cotton from all over the country. I have cotton saris ranging from Rs135 and some up-to Rs30-35,000 and a few even more. I absolutely love earthy colours like orange, pink, brown, red, white and cream. 
Do you remember the first time you wore a sari?
I was a picture of myself in a sari I wore when I was 4 years old! I wore one of my mother's sari with big sunglasses she had and they took a picture of me and that's the earliest memory of me in a sari. 
What about the first sari you bought on your own?
I bought my very first sari from an exhibition of Bengal Arts and Crafts when I was in the 11th Standard. It was a cotton green and yellow sari. I have posted the picture of me wearing the sari on my Instagram.