Vidya Balan to pull off a Katrina Kaif

She raised eyebrows with her sultry outing in Ooh La La And now, Vidya Balan is set for a Lavani clash on the big screen. Even as Katrina Kaif gets rave reviews for her Agneepath item number Chikni Chameli Vidya is readying to take on Katrina in the traditional song-and-dance space.
Signed
on to do an item number for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrari Ki Sawaari, The Dirty Picture (2011) star has finally decided to do a Lavani-inspired song in the Sharman Joshi-starrer.

Interestingly, at an internal creative meeting, the makers pointed out that Chikni Chameli was also a Lavani song, which might lead to comparisons.

“But Vidya wasn’t worried. She loves Katrina’s energetic dance steps, but pointed out that she could take Lavani to another level by giving it a totally new twist,” says an insider from the unit.



While Kat’s number is high on sex appeal, Vidya will be doing an “aesthetic and less sensual number” considering the nature of Ferrari Ki Sawaari. “It will be an entertaining song, but the authenticity of the dance form will be maintained throughout,” says the insider.

To put her best foot forward, Vidya will rehearse for about three weeks with expert dancers, getting comfortable with the nuances of Lavani. The number is expected to be shot in a month.

When contacted, director Rajesh Mapuskar confirms: “Yes, we have finally short-listed a Lavani number for Ferrari Ki Sawaari.” Ask him about the clash with Chikni chameli and he laughs: “For us, the best part is that Vidya is extremely excited. As far as Katrina’s song is concerned, it only inspired all of us, including Vidya, to do better.”

The actor is pleased with the development, saying, “It’s exciting to be a part of the Ferrari Ki Sawaari team, where I will be dancing to a Lavani song.”

Lavani on the big screen
These stars also shook a leg to the Maharashtrian folk dance.

Helen: The dancing diva was possibly the first to make the dance form popular with her hit number, Mungda in Inkaar (1978).
Madhuri Dixit: Performed Humko Aajkal Hai in Sailaab (1990) and Me Kolahpur Se Aayi Hoon in Anjaam (1994).
Shweta Bhardwaj: She danced with Naseeruddin Shah and others in Chaalis Chauraasi.
Rani Mukerji: In Anurag Kashyap’s Aiyya, she is likely to perform a traditional Lavani dance, choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.