Aishwarya was the first choice for Lolita of Parineeta

Vidya Balan might have become very popular with her out-of-genre movie like ‘The dirty picture’ and brave broadcast like ‘Kahaani’, but this acquired fame wasn’t merely a matter of change. There was a time when this potential actress had to struggle even to find a debut.

She had made an entry into the industry with the classics ‘Parineeta’ playing the love interest of two men. Her struggle had become more concerned since the producer of ‘Parineeta’ had someone else in mind. Though Vidya Balan is a choice of director Pradeep Sarkar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra had Aishwarya in his mind for the role.

Pradeep Sarkar had suggested Vidya’s name to Vidhu when they were thinking of ‘Parineeta’ but Vidhu had already set his mind for Aishwarya. He felt that Ash would be more suitable for the role a beautiful Bengali lady and could be easily depicted as the love interest of two men. Moreover, he wanted an actress with the calibre to live up to what the role demanded and not some new-comer in the industry. But on Sarkar’s request he agreed to give Vidya a shot.

They tested her and felt her to be suitable for the role. Later, the movie was nominated in two categories of which Vidya captured the Best Female Debut Award. Two back to back hits and she became the most sought after actress in the industry. She is going to be next seen in Vidhu’s production, ‘Ferrari ki sawaari’.