Vidya Balan is a stellar and iconic Bollywood actress. Her passion for her work and craft is commendable. Vidya Balan is one of those outstanding actors who are afraid to take on challenging roles. She has given Bollywood quite a few golden movies like Parineeta, Bhool Bhooliaya, Kahaani, and The Dirty Picture. Vidya’s choice of film, craft and acting style has always been very unique. In a recent interview, Vidya discussed several things, including how female-oriented roles in Bollywood are now evolving.
The actress also spoke about her lockdown experience, saying last year’s lockdown was all about reading and jhadu-pocha with my husband. She also said that this year’s lockdown was different. I wasn’t that productive. I didn’t feel like reading anything, but I watched a little bit. Didn’t do much around the house because there were too many people known to me, who had contracted the virus. There were many stressful days. Thankfully, those people are fine now,’’ said Vidya.
The Sherni actress spoke more about the Bollywood industry and added that “When I did Ishqiya in 2008, people asked me, “Why would you do a film like this?” It has got a slightly artsy vibe,’ ‘You’ve been cast opposite Naseeruddin Shah who is much older than you.’ “Your career will be shortened.” etc. For me, it has always been the subject of the film”.
Vidya has made many female-centric movies. She said while there’s a change in the way women’s stories are represented on-screen, there is still a long way to go.
Furthermore, she added, I wanted to do it because I loved it. So, if it means my career will be short, so be it. The film did well and slowly things started opening up for me. Year after year, the scope of subjects that I get offered has expanded. Cinema has now started to look at women as people and human beings now. The films that are being made now are not just about women’s issues so to speak, but also focus on the way women are being represented, which is refreshing and liberating.
Vidya Balan also talked about gender inequality and how patriarchy influences one’s mind. She added “The one thing, that I am going to teach my child is that we are all children of the same God so it doesn’t matter whether you are a man, or a woman, poor or rich; what country you come from, what economic strata you belong to, what your IQ or EQ is. We’re all the same. Therefore, do not treat anyone badly, but most importantly, as a girl, don’t treat yourself badly. You’re no less than anyone else,”