Vidya Balan goes incognito in Benaras

It appears that the temptation to resist the famous Banarasi paan is not everyone's cup to tea! And who knows it better than Vidya Balan. The actress who was in Benaras last week for a brand endorsement had a sudden urge to eat the iconic paan and buy some Banarasi sarees while at it. Given the heavy security around her, Vidya devised a simple plan to go incognito in her little adventure.

A friend of the actress says, "Vidya was staying at a five-star hotel when she expressed her desire to go to the local market and buy some Banarasi sarees. She was also keen to eat a famous Banarasi paan. However, her staff cautioned her that she would be mobbed and it would be a tough task to travel to the local markets without being recognised."

That's when Vidya apparently came up with the idea of sporting a traditional dress and covering her face with a dupatta. She chose not to take her car that was given to her and instead opted for a cycle rickshaw. Her friend adds, "She took one of her staff members along on her secret trip. She not only shopped but also managed to eat a paan without being recognised."u00a0