No competition with Rituparna Sengupta, says Vidya Balan

Kolkata: Vidya Balan has said that she does not have any competition with Rituparna Sengupta, who essayed the lead role of 'Begum Jaan' in the Bengali film titled "Rajkahini".

"I do not have any competition with Ritu didi. She is a dear friend and delivered a powerful performance as 'Begum Jaan' in the Bengali film by Srijit Mukherjee," Vidya told PTI.

"I request everyone to come and watch my film on Bangla Nabobarsho. The release date is also a tribute to Bengal, which has contributed a lot in promoting art in the country," she added.

Vidya also expressed her wish to work with all prominent Bengali directors.

"I have old ties with Srijit. He had got so much love from the people of Bengal for 'Rajkahini' and other films. Now with 'Begum Jaan', he will be showered with the love of people of the entire country.

"After Srijit, I wish to work with other (prominent) Bengali filmmakers," she said.

Emphasising that "Begum Jaan" is the readaptation and not the remake of "Rajkahini", Vidya said, "I met Rituparna Sengupta during this visit and she wished me.

"Ritu di and I share good rapport and we have often met in the past. She has wished me all the best and said that she would come to see the film."

The actress said that 'Rajkahini' talked about sex workers living in a bunglow along the border in 1947, but 'Begum Jaan' is set in 2017.