Vidya Balan’s plans of performing a complex item song for Santosh Sivan’s Malyalam film have been postponed due to an acute shoulder condition until the doctor’s further orders. And there’s no way she can return to her rigorous routine without facing permanent consequences.

It seems to be a peculiar and poignant situation for the graceful Vidya Balan. At this very moment she needed to be in training in the ancient dance form Mohiniyattam for her intricate dance steps for Santosh Sivan’s Malyalam film Urumi. Though Vidya is a trained classical dancer, a Mohiniyattam guru has been specially hired by director Sivan to teach Vidya the nuances of the complex dance form before she performs the item number.

Vidya’s training was to start this week. Her spirit and her feet are willing. But the body is too weak to take the vigorous dancing. “I was in so much pain I couldn’t do any of the normal things, let alone dance,” says Vidya.

Speaking on the much talked-about item song Vidya still in much pain laughs, “It’s more talked-about than actually performed. I was supposed to start preparing for it this week. Unfortunately I’ve been down with a painful shoulder condition for some time. And completely forbidden from doing anything strenuous.”

Vidya has a chronic shoulder condition which got aggravated after she insisted on going to the gym before it had healed completely. She has now had a relapse, leading into this excruciating pain. “Now I have to wait it out, I have no option. Otherwise I’ll have a life-long shoulder problem. I can’t wait to start rehearsing for Santosh Sivan’s dance number."

Shedding light on the number Vidya says it’s a fusion dance, a blend of dance forms including of course the intricate Mohiniyattam. Says the excited actress, “Since I was born in Kerala, my family is so looking forward to my foray into Malayalam films. I thought a song is a very good place to start. Moreover I totally admire Santosh Sivan’s work, who doesn’t? But now this has happened all because of my own stubbornness.”

Vidya's gym trainer had warned her against rigorous exercises. “But I didn’t listen to him. Now I can’t dance until I am fully recovered. I still haven’t forgotten the impact of my classical number in Bhool Bhulaiya. The one in Santosh’s film would be far more sensuous and intricate.”

-- Subhash K Jha / Sampurn Wire