They say she has become difficult. What they mean is that Vidya Balan is turning down assignments for which other actresses would give their left arm and right profile.

"But I really don't see my career in that way," said the soft-spoken, constantly apologetic and yet unshakeable "Parineeta" girl.

"I can't rush into projects and then find the time to do them. I've to be completely convinced about every detail about my character and my willingness and ability to portray it before saying yes," Vidya told IANS.

And she's willing to be dubbed difficult for her professionalism. Recently, when she opted out of an avant-garde director-turned- producer's period film, the man went around town calling her unprofessional.

"But I never say yes only to have second thoughts," she explained.

It appears as though Vidya is a victim of the Saif syndrome. Filmmakers approach Vidya with roles that she's not convinced about, tell her to think over it, and then turn nasty when she says a final no.

"I can't take on work that I cannot do. Yes, I've had certain reservations about some aspects of a couple of scripts that I was offered recently. Frankly, they're roles to kill for. But I cannot bring myself to play characters I don't identify with. Maybe I'm too new or too scared. But I'd rather go cautiously than plunge impulsively into a film and then regret it later."

Also, at the moment Vidya is slightly more inclined to play contemporary roles. After "Parineeta" the risk of being branded an old-world actress is imminent. In her second film "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", Vidya plays a radio jockey.

"Not like what Preity Zinta played in 'Salaam Namaste'. I don't think I could've carried off that look," Vidya laughed.

Now there's Nikhil Advani's "Salaam-e-Ishq" where she's paired with John Abraham.

"Again a very contemporary character. John and I are so different in personality and yet so compatible together."

Another contemporary role is the one Vidya plays in Sajid Khan's "Hey Baby". "I'm really looking forward to that. You know Sajid and I've known each other for years. He has a terrific sense of humour. I keep asking him why I haven't become as tall as Amitabh Bachchan after the way he keeps pulling my leg."

So, is it goodbye to period films after "Parineeta"?

"No such rules. I'm truly flattered if filmmakers come to me with films that search out a past. At the moment I'm looking at my present."

She's also looking forward to working with Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh.

"He is a director who is bound to bring out the best in me for - whatever it may be worth."