“Women are blessed with energy – a power which is unique. I have been very fortunate to have played strong women and explored their strengths through my films.”
Born in a Tamil Brahmin family, Vidya Balan grew up in Chembur, Mumbai. She became a household name after the popular television series Hum Paanch. However, it was years later that she made her entry as a debutant in Bollywood movies via Parineeta, which received a lot of accolades. She is well known for portraying lead female roles that are strong characters.
Backed with a degree in Sociology from Xavier’s college in Mumbai, she started acting in a Malyalam film first. However, due to production issues just before its release, rumor started doing rounds that Balan was jinxed, which resulted in hurdles in releasing the movie. Struggling with this, she could not land up in any role in a movie and starred mostly in advertisements and musical videos. This jinx was finally broken when she received a Filmfare Award for Parineeta in 2003. Her powerful roles in Paa, No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani, and Tumhari Sulu displayed her ability to give justice to her characters with conviction.
“I have never thought of winning an Oscar. Rather, I never thought I would get the Padma Shri. I think God has been kind to me. I think getting Oscar award is not too far away.”
In 2014, she received the prestigious Padma Shri award. Despite being an outsider in the film industry, she has bagged prestigious roles and has contributed tremendously. She remains unconventional than other actresses, although being criticized and body shamed for her weight. Yet, she defies beauty standards that confine actresses to be skinny and portrays real-life characters with sass. Her latest role in Sherni as a forest officer again bore a testimony to her commitment to the skill of acting.
Balan’s net worth is a whopping USD 18 million and she is the owner of many real estate properties across the country along with luxury cars. She is married to Siddharth Roy Kapoor, a noted film producer and businessman. Besides, she is also engaged in humanitarian work that involve empowerment of women through donations and participating in campaigns. She also served as the brand ambassador of ‘Clean India’ movement in 2016.
Vidya’s undeterred ability to accept roles that speak volumes about real-life women and the vibrant range of roles she has portrayed on screen sets her a class apart from other actors.
“Weight used to be an issue. I was always fat as a child. And everyone used to tell me, You’ve got such a pretty face; why don’t you lose some weight? Over the years I’ve realised that my body is a certain type, and I have learned to accept it.”
Birth Score – 4/5
Pride Score – 3/5
A noteworthy 7/10 Notable Brahmin Score.