Vidya Balan says she rejected Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 because she was ‘scared’

Actor Vidya Balan returns to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise with her iconic role of Manjulika. At an event recently.

The actor opened up about her apprehensions of reprising the popular character, and how she decided to come on board the third film, after refusing to do Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Vidya was present at the launch of her song Ami Je Tomar 3.0 in Mumbai on Friday, October 25, when producer Bhushan Kumar revealed that she rejected BB 2.

The T-Series owner told the audience, “I had approached Vidya ji for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, but she had refused. When we were launching the trailer, we requested her to at least be a part of it, so she posted the trailer, and she loved the trailer, and she loved the film.”

Bhushan added that Vidya loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 so much that she promised him to be a part of the third film in the franchise. The producer said, “She then committed to me that she’d definitely be a part of the third film. So that was the inspiration for me. Vidya ma’am and Madhuri ma’am joined the cast. I’d never be able to give up on such a big set-up, so we were very excited about it.”

Vidya took over and tried to explain how she feared performing the role once again. The actor shared that the first film, which was released in 2007, had given her so much appreciation that she didn’t want to ruin that by committing a mistake in her performance.

“I’ll tell you, the only reason (why) I didn’t do 2 (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2). I wanted to work on Bhool Bhulaiyaa again, (but) I was so scared because Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1 has given me so much. I said, ‘maine gadbad kar diya toh sab paani phir jaayega’ (what if I end up messing everything this time!) I had told Anees (Bazmee) bhai also that I couldn’t take the risk. But, when they came back to me with 3, I loved the script, I was dying to work on this with Anees Bhai and Bhushan, and then it only kept getting better.”

Vidya added that Madhuri Dixit’s presence in BB 3 was another reason that prompted her to take up the project. She continued, “Of course, there was Kartik and I loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. And then the icing on the cake (was Madhuri Dixit). So, it only kept getting better. Maine himmat juta li (I gathered the courage) to do it and I had a great time.”

She went on to appreciate director Anees Bazmee for making an entertaining film. Vidya said, “I will say this, he (Anees Bazmee) is the king of entertainment. To have had the opportunity to work with him on this was magical.”

As shown in the trailer of the film, both Vidya and Madhuri play the role of Manjulika in the third film. However, the reality behind their characters, and if they have been pitted against each other in the horror roles, is something that has added to the curiosity around the film.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, also starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Rajpal Yadav and Sanjay Mishra, among others, is slated to hit the screens on November 1, as the big Diwali release. It is facing a box office clash with Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again.