Demure Vidya Balan says HALLA BOL!

As Raj Kumar Santoshi's film Halla Bol is ready for release, actress Vidya Balan is on an overdrive to publicise the film. Her alleged relationship with Shahid then seems to have happened at the most opportune moment.

Could there be a better time for a controversy than around the time of your next release? Possibly not. But given the kind of image Vidya has maintained, this is possibly not the best piece of news for her, personally.

Incidentally buzz18 was the first to report on the alleged link-up and also report about her visit to Shahid's house after the press conference of Halla Bol.

It may seem rather ironical in a sense that Halla Bol stars Shahid's father Pankaj Kapur who was also at the press meet that night. (READ: Why Pankaj finds Karamchand childish)

Nonetheless when we meet her at a suburban Mumbai hotel on a quiet Saturday afternoon, we are categorically told not to ask personal questions. Vidya's had enough of her link-up stories, all thanks to us. (READ: Vidya refutes rumours of linkup with Shahid) So we decide to give her a break and let her speak about what she chooses to.

"I want to explore all kinds of characters," she starts off with a cliche, "And Halla Bol offered me a character different from all that I have done before. I play Ajay Devgan's wife who is his strength and conscience. I completely enjoyed playing it."

Like most Raj Kumar Santoshi heroines, Vidya's role in the film is quite small and needless to say it doesn't bother her one bit. "One cannot expect to be the central character of every film one does," she says trying to sound matter-of-fact and continues, "I knew this was an out and out Ajay Devgan film. Besides, it is ridiculous to expect every role to be glamorous."

Vidya further adds that Santoshi had planned two looks for her – the small town girl-next-door look in the first half and the glamorous star wife in the second. "But as shooting progressed, he nixed my second look almost completely. He wanted me to stay simple."

IN PICS: Check out Vidya Balan's many avatars