Actress Vidya Balan returns to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise with her iconic role of Manjulika. At a recent event, the actor talked about his apprehensions of playing the popular character again, and how he decided to step into the third film after refusing to do Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Vidya was present at the launch of her song Ami Je Tomar. 3.0 on Friday, October 25 in Mumbai, when producer Bhushan Kumar revealed that he has rejected BB2.

The T-Series boss 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.” Did, so they posted the trailer.” And he loved the trailer, and he loved the movie.”

Bhushan said that Vidya liked Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 so much that she promised him to be a part of the third film of the franchise. The producer said, “She promised me that she would 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 would never be able to do that.” Having to leave such a large set-up, we were very excited about it.”

Vidya took charge and tried to explain how she was scared of doing this role once again. The actor shared that the first film, which released in 2007, had given her so much appreciation that she didn’t want to ruin it by making a mistake in her performance.

“I will 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 too scared because Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1 has given me so much. I had said, ‘If I mess up, everything will be ruined.‘ (What if I mess everything up this time!) I had even told Anees (Bazmee) bhai that I can’t take the risk. But, when they came back to me with 3, I loved the script so much, I was dying to work on it with Anees Bhai and Bhushan and then it just got better.”

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

He praised director Anees Bazmee for making an entertaining film. Vidya said, “I will say this, he (Anees Bazmee) is the king of entertainment. Getting the opportunity to work with him on this was magical.”

As shown in the film’s trailer, both Vidya and Madhuri are playing the role of Manjulika in the third film. However, the reality behind their characters, and if they are pitted against each other in horror roles, has increased the curiosity towards the film.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which also stars Kartik Aryan, Trupti Dimri, Rajpal Yadav and Sanjay Mishra, is set to hit the screens on November 1 as a big Diwali release. It is facing competition from Ajay Devgan’s Singham Again at the box office.