They have never shared screen space nor have we heard tales of their undying friendship, but don't be surprised if Vidya Balan and Kangana Ranaut, two of Hindi cinema's finest actresses today, form a mutual admiration society after Vidya backed the latter in her legal battle with Hrithik Roshan.
At the launch of the trailer of her forthcoming film TE3N, Vidya Balan was asked what she thought about the Hrithik-Kangana spat and Kangana Ranaut's ferocious reply in a TV interview with NDTV consulting editor Barkha Dutt.
“I really think it is none of my business to be judging anyone, but I have the greatest admiration for Kangana because she is standing up for herself," Vidya Balan told reporters.
"I think that is very creditable because as women we find it very easy to stand up for other people, our family members, children, husbands, parents, but we rarely stand up for ourselves. She [Kangana] is standing up for herself, so kudos to her and more power to her for that," she added.
Amitabh Bachchan, who plays the lead in TE3N and a few days ago was seated beside Kangana Ranaut at the National Film Awards function in New Delhi, was asked what he thought of the young actress. He replied, "Can't decide the behaviour of a person, or what he or she is going through, by sitting beside them. But I appreciate that women are empowered, they stand on their feet.”
These words of encouragement from industry stalwarts will certainly come as music to the ears of Kangana Ranaut. The Queen star has been involved in a legal battle with Hrithik Roshan over an alleged relationship. Her woes were compounded when ex-flame Adhyayan Suman levied sensational allegations against her.