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{{short description|Indian film actress}} | |||
{{pp-blp|expiry=indef|small=yes}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} | |||
{{featured article}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2013}} | |||
{{Indian patronymic|[[Vidya (given name)|Vidya]]|Balan}} | |||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Vidya Balan | | name = Vidya Balan | ||
| image = Vidya Balan promoting | | image = Vidya Balan promoting Jalsa.jpg | ||
| | | alt = Vidya Balan promoting Jalsa | ||
| caption = Vidya in | | caption = Vidya in 2022 | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|1|df=y}} | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|1|df=y}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], Maharashtra, India | | birth_place = [[Bombay]], Maharashtra, India | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Vidya Balan''' (born 1 January 1979) is an Indian actress. | '''Vidya Balan''' (pronounced {{IPA-hns|ʋɪd̪ːja baːlən|}}; born 1 January 1979) is an Indian actress. Known for pioneering a change in the portrayal of women in [[Hindi cinema]] with her roles in female-led films, she is the recipient of [[List of awards and nominations received by Vidya Balan|several awards]], including a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] and six [[Filmfare Awards]]. She was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India]] in 2014. | ||
Vidya aspired to a career in film from a young age and had her first acting role in the 1995 sitcom ''[[Hum Paanch (TV series)|Hum Paanch]]''. While pursuing a master's degree in sociology from the [[University of Mumbai]], she made several unsuccessful attempts to start a career in film, and featured in television commercials and music videos. She made her film debut by starring in the [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]] film ''[[Bhalo Theko]]'' (2003) and received praise for her first Hindi film, the drama ''[[Parineeta (2005 film)|Parineeta]]''. This was followed by commercial successes in ''[[Lage Raho Munna Bhai]]'' (2006) and ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa]]'' (2007), but her roles in the romantic comedies ''[[Heyy Babyy]]'' (2007) and ''[[Kismat Konnection]]'' (2008) had negative reviews. | |||
Vidya | Vidya went on to establish herself by starring in five consecutive commercial successes, which also earned her critical and awards recognition. These were in the drama ''[[Paa (film)|Paa]]'' (2009), the black comedy ''[[Ishqiya]]'' (2010), the thrillers ''[[No One Killed Jessica]]'' and ''[[Kahaani]]'' (2012), and the biopic ''[[The Dirty Picture]]'' (2011). The last of these won her the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]]. She followed this with a series of films that performed poorly at the box office. This changed when she starred as a radio jockey in ''[[Tumhari Sulu]]'' (2017) and a scientist in ''[[Mission Mangal]]'' (2019). The latter ranks as her highest-grossing release. Vidya has since starred in the [[Amazon Prime Video]] films ''[[Shakuntala Devi (film)|Shakuntala Devi]]'' (2020), ''[[Sherni (2021 film)|Sherni]]'' (2021), and ''[[Jalsa (2022 film)|Jalsa]]'' (2022). | ||
==References== | Vidya also promotes humanitarian causes and supports the empowerment of women. She is a member of the Indian [[Central Board of Film Certification]] and hosts a radio show. She initially drew criticism for her fluctuating weight and dress sense, but was later credited in the media for her unconventionality. Vidya is married to the film producer [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]]. | ||
== Early life and initial career struggles == | |||
Vidya was born on 1 January 1979 in [[Mumbai|Bombay]] (present-day Mumbai), into a [[Tamil Brahmin]] family.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-the-right-man-hasn-t-come-along-yet-vidya-balan-1089724 |title=The right man hasn't come along yet: Vidya Balan |date=9 April 2007 |website=DNA India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/real-age-vidya-balan-not-wikipedia-saying-100458995.html |title=This Is Real Age Of Vidya Balan And Not What Wikipedia Is Saying |date=6 December 2016 |website=Yahoo Lifestyle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206114826/https://in.style.yahoo.com/real-age-vidya-balan-not-wikipedia-saying-100458995.html |archive-date=6 December 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/temple-wedding-for-vidya-balan-and-siddharth-roy-kapur-630333 |title=Temple wedding for Vidya Balan and Siddharth Roy Kapur |date=11 December 2012 |publisher=NDTV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154305/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/temple-wedding-for-vidya-balan-and-siddharth-roy-kapur-630333 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> Her father, P. R. Balan, is the executive vice-president of Digicable and her mother, Saraswathy Balan, is a homemaker.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.digicable.in/index.php/about-us/management-team |title=Management team, Digicable |publisher=Digicable |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531084316/http://digicable.in/index.php/about-us/management-team |archive-date=31 May 2013 |access-date=20 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="something" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bansal, Robin |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/over-the-years-vidya-balan-goes-from-geek-to-haute/story-CY7LmU3wv2Crat773i7dyL.html |title=Over the years: Vidya Balan from geek to haute! |date=22 September 2012 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=24 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009195047/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/over-the-years-vidya-balan-goes-from-geek-to-haute/story-CY7LmU3wv2Crat773i7dyL.html |archive-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> According to Vidya, they speak a mix of [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam]] at home.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddiqui, Rana |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/02/16/stories/2007021600410100.htm |title='It's a dream come true' |date=16 February 2007 |access-date=9 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114155348/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/02/16/stories/2007021600410100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> Her elder sister, Priya Balan, works in advertising.<ref name="something">{{Cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1168964461.html |title=There's something about Vidya |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=25 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011162727/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1168964461.html |archive-date=11 October 2013}}{{subscription required|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> The actress [[Priyamani]] is her second cousin.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-filmi-family-tree-know-priyamanis-famous-relative/20131008.htm#1 |title=Filmi Family Tree: Know Priyamani's famous relative? |date=8 October 2013 |work=Rediff.com |pages=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040650/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-filmi-family-tree-know-priyamanis-famous-relative/20131008.htm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Prakash, B. V. S. |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/hyderabad/not-going-ask-vidya-balan-advice-priyamani-672 |title=Not going to ask Vidya Balan for advice: Priyamani |date=11 May 2012 |work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120512011620/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/hyderabad/not-going-ask-vidya-balan-advice-priyamani-672 |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
Vidya grew up in the suburban neighbourhood of [[Chembur]], Mumbai and attended St. Anthony Girls' High School.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/feb/040210-Celeb-Dairy-Vidya-Balan.htm |title=Celeb diary: Vidya Balan |date=4 February 2010 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=24 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103041053/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/feb/040210-Celeb-Dairy-Vidya-Balan.htm |archive-date=3 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Priya |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-17/news-interviews/42114811_1_ganpati-vidya-balan-aarti |title=I have never done a barter with God: Vidya Balan |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202185556/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-17/news-interviews/42114811_1_ganpati-vidya-balan-aarti |work=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> From a young age, she aspired to a career in film and was inspired by the work of actors [[Shabana Azmi]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]].<ref name="rules" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/madhuri-was-my-inspiration-in-life-vidya-balan/218414-8-66.html |title=Madhuri is my inspiration in life: Vidya Balan |date=6 January 2012 |publisher=CNN-IBN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420044855/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/madhuri-was-my-inspiration-in-life-vidya-balan/218414-8-66.html |archive-date=20 April 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012}}</ref> At the age of 16, she starred in the first season of [[Ekta Kapoor]]'s sitcom ''[[Hum Paanch (TV series)|Hum Paanch]]'' as Radhika, a bespectacled teenager.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Pritwish |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-22/news-interviews/28271540_1_tv-debut-vidya-balan-s-homepage-audition |title=I said no to Ekta: Vidya Balan |date=22 October 2010 |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060327/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-22/news-interviews/28271540_1_tv-debut-vidya-balan-s-homepage-audition |work=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="tree">{{Cite news |last=Rohera |first=Draupadi |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100725/jsp/7days/story_12723277.jsp |title=It could have been George Clooney or a tree. I would have made love to the tree if I had to |date=25 June 2010 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313102649/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100725/jsp/7days/story_12723277.jsp |archive-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> After the series ended, Vidya refused director [[Anurag Basu]]'s offer to star in a television soap opera, as she wanted to concentrate on a film career.<ref name="native">{{Cite news |last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Return+of+the+native/1/82489.html |title=Return of the native |date=4 February 2010 |work=India Today |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023235254/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Return+of+the+native/1/82489.html |archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref> Her parents were supportive of the decision but encouraged her to complete her education first.<ref name="rules">{{Cite news |last=Sanghvi, Vir |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/why-vidya-balan-rules/story-kBrnl5alAyNYS51Hzl2JNL.html |title=Why Vidya Balan rules |date=17 December 2011 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=11 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708081025/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/why-vidya-balan-rules/story-kBrnl5alAyNYS51Hzl2JNL.html |archive-date=8 July 2018}}</ref> She attended [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xavier's College]] to pursue a bachelor's degree in [[sociology]] and later earned a master's degree from the [[University of Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/news-interviews/28367559_1_sociology-films-khar |title=Sociology was my major subject: Vidya |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=23 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055734/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/news-interviews/28367559_1_sociology-films-khar |work=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-just-how-educated-are-bollywood-heroines/20120118.htm |title=Just how educated are our Bollywood heroines? |date=18 January 2012 |publisher=Rediff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201061849/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-just-how-educated-are-bollywood-heroines/20120118.htm |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> | |||
While pursuing her master's degree, Vidya was cast as the female lead in the [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film]] ''Chakram'', opposite [[Mohanlal]] and was subsequently signed on for 12 other Malayalam language films.<ref name="rules" /> However, due to production difficulties, ''Chakram'' was shelved.<ref name="beginning" /> The postponement of a film starring Mohanlal was an unheard occurrence in Malayalam cinema and producers blamed Vidya for bringing "bad luck" to the project; labelled her as a "jinx"; and replaced her in the films that she had been contracted for.<ref name="rules" /> She shifted focus to [[Tamil cinema]]. In 2001, she was cast as the female lead in [[N. Linguswamy]]'s ''[[Run (2002 film)|Run]]'' (2002). However, after completing the first [[shooting schedule]], she was unceremoniously dropped and replaced by [[Meera Jasmine]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/the-vidya-magic-news-tamil-kkfv22bcabh.html |title=The Vidya magic! |date=7 July 2005 |publisher=Sify |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222210357/http://www.sify.com/movies/the-vidya-magic-news-tamil-kkfv22bcabh.html |archive-date=22 December 2013 |access-date=23 November 2006}}</ref> She was signed up under false pretences for a [[sex comedy]], a genre she was uncomfortable with, and decided to leave the project.<ref name="rules" /> She was also replaced by Meera Jasmine in ''[[Bala (2002 film)|Bala]]'' (2002).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/vidya-balan-was-the-original-choice-for-bala/articleshow/62789208.cms |title=Vidya Balan was the original choice for Bala |work=Times of India |date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Thereafter, she signed on for a third Tamil film, ''[[Manasellam]]'' (2003), but was replaced by [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] as the director was dissatisfied with her work.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-13/did-you-know-/31160200_1_vidya-balan-hindi-films-south-filmmakers |title=When Vidya Balan was kicked out |date=7 July 2005 |access-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023114243/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/did-you-know-/31160200_1_vidya-balan-hindi-films-south-filmmakers |work=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> ''[[Kalari Vikraman]]'', another Malayalam film that she completed work for in 2003, failed to get a theatrical release.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=5 January 2003 |title=Kalari Vikraman from Jail |journal=[[Vellinakshatram (magazine)|Vellinakshatram]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.malayalivartha.com/cinema/star-trek/35679 |title=സാക്ഷരതയുള്ള കേരളത്തിൽ അന്ധവിശ്വാസികൾ കൂടുതലെന്ന് വിദ്യാബാലൻ |date=27 April 2014 |access-date=30 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202041234/http://www.malayalivartha.com/cinema/star-trek/35679 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |publisher=[[Mangalam]]}}</ref> After failing to start a film career, Vidya appeared in approximately 60 television commercials and in music videos for [[Euphoria (Indian band)|Euphoria]] and [[Shubha Mudgal]]; a majority of these were directed by [[Pradeep Sarkar]].<ref name="native" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10956992.html |title=Stand-out act four not-so-new newcomers have found critical acclaim in breakthrough roles this year. Now all they need is stardom |work=India Today |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=18 July 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105232954/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10956992.html |archive-date=5 November 2013}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> | |||
== Career == | |||
{{See also|Vidya Balan filmography}} | |||
=== Early work (2003–2008) === | |||
Vidya's film debut came with the [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali film]] ''[[Bhalo Theko]]'' (2003), a drama directed by [[Goutam Halder]]. He cast her in the central role of Aanandi, a young woman reminiscing about her past, for the combination of innocence and experience that he found in her.<ref name="reelprayer">{{cite news |title=A reel prayer for well-being |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/a-reel-prayer-for-well-being/cid/1258795 |work=The Telegraph |date=28 June 2003 |access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> Vidya was ecstatic about her involvement in Bengali cinema, later calling it a dream come true and highlighting its contribution to her subsequent progress.<ref name="reelprayer" /><ref>{{cite news |title=I feel I was Bengali in my last life: Vidya Balan |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/i-feel-i-was-bengali-in-my-last-life-vidya-balan/story-usw68eTdzeG4nxfJ6QAdkM.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 March 2012 |date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153803/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/i-feel-i-was-bengali-in-my-last-life-vidya-balan/story-usw68eTdzeG4nxfJ6QAdkM.html |archive-date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
She was awarded an [[Anandalok Awards|Anandalok Purashkar]] for Best Actress for her performance.<ref name="Anandalok">{{cite web |title=SRK, Vidya get Anandalok Puraskar |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14580021&cid=2359 |date=24 December 2007 |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=Sify |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214223150/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14580021&cid=2359 |archive-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> On Pradeep Sarkar's recommendation, Vidya auditioned for the lead role in his directorial venture—the [[Bollywood|Hindi film]] ''[[Parineeta (2005 film)|Parineeta]]'' (2005). The film's producer [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]] initially preferred an established actress in the part, but agreed to cast Vidya after she underwent six months of extensive tests.<ref name="beginning">{{cite web |access-date=23 October 2007 |first=Ronjita |last=Kulkarni |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/08vidya2.htm |title=Meet the new girl in Saif's life |publisher=Rediff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109164805/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/08vidya2.htm |archive-date=9 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=20 November 2012 |date=1 January 2009 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1158478/Small-people-with-big-egosnot-for-me-Vidhu-Vinod-Chopra |title=Small people with big egos, not for me! |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060206/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1158478/Small-people-with-big-egosnot-for-me-Vidhu-Vinod-Chopra |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="hailed">{{cite news |title=Made at home, hailed abroad |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/made-at-home-hailed-abroad/cid/1274602 |work=The Telegraph |date=16 June 2005 |access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> Based on [[Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay]]'s 1914 Bengali [[Parineeta (novel)|novel of the same name]], ''Parineeta'' tells the love story between Shekhar (played by [[Saif Ali Khan]]), the son of the local [[zamindar]], and Lalita (Vidya), the dignified daughter of the family's tenant.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050611/asp/nation/story_4854277.asp |title=Parineeta breathes Bengal among the tulips |first=Pratim D. |last=Gupta |date=10 June 2005 |access-date=9 August 2011 |work=The Telegraph |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629155510/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050611/asp/nation/story_4854277.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> Vidya's performance received praise from critics;<ref name="tree" /> Derek Elley of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' found her to be an "acting revelation", adding that her "devoted but dignified Lalita is the picture's heart and soul".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=27 October 2007 |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/parineeta-1200518683/ |title=Parineeta: Film review |first=Derek |last=Elley |work=Variety |date=7 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112182837/http://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/parineeta-1200518683/ |archive-date=12 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the annual [[Filmfare Awards]] ceremony, she won [[Filmfare Best Female Debut Award|Best Female Debut]] and received a nomination for [[Filmfare Best Actress Award|Best Actress]].<ref name="oldawards">{{cite web |url=http://oldbh.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/13469/index.html |title=Vidya Balan: Awards & nominations |access-date=23 July 2010 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409130237/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/13469/index.html |archive-date=9 April 2010}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Vidyabalan.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|alt=Vidya Balan is looking directly at the camera.|Vidya at the launch of a book based on her film ''[[Lage Raho Munna Bhai]]'' in 2006]] | |||
Continuing her collaboration with Chopra's company, Vidya starred opposite [[Sanjay Dutt]] in [[Rajkumar Hirani]]'s comedy film ''[[Lage Raho Munna Bhai]]'' (2006).<ref name="hailed" /> She played a [[Radio personality|radio jockey]] and the [[Munna Bhai|title character]]'s love interest, for which she met up with radio hosts and watched them at work.<ref name=hindusiddiqui>{{Cite news |first=Rana |last=Siddiqui |title=The grace of Munnabhai |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/09/01/stories/2006090102090100.htm |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=20 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001001546/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/09/01/stories/2006090102090100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=1 October 2007}}</ref> While she acknowledged not having a substantial role in the film, she agreed to the project as part of a conscious effort to work in different genres to avoid being typecast in her ''Parineeta'' image.<ref name=hindusiddiqui /> With earnings of {{INRConvert|1.19|b}}, ''Lage Raho Munna Bhai'' emerged as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films to that point.<ref name="all-time">{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=3997&nCat= |title=Top All Time Worldwide Grossers Updated |publisher=BoxOfficeIndia |access-date=13 October 2013 |date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105215110/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4409&nCat= |archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> Vidya began 2007 by accepting the supporting role of a [[multiple sclerosis]] patient in [[Mani Ratnam]]'s drama ''[[Guru (2007 film)|Guru]]'', starring [[Abhishek Bachchan]] and [[Aishwarya Rai]], citing her desire to work with Ratnam.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-vidya-denies-rift-with-aishwarya-1077357 |title=Vidya denies rift with Aishwarya |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> Raja Sen of [[Rediff.com]] bemoaned that she was "somewhat wasted in a role that isn't as well-etched".<ref>{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/12guru.htm |title=Watch Guru for the actors |publisher=Rediff |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123022904/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/12guru.htm |archive-date=23 January 2011}}</ref> Her next two roles, in the ensemble films ''[[Salaam-e-Ishq]]'' and ''[[Eklavya: The Royal Guard]]'', were similarly small, but she defended these choices as having been "part of my learning curve".<ref name="glam">{{cite news |last=Dayanji |first=Raihaan |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/parineeta-goes-glam-vidya-balan-on-her-new-avatar-in-heyy-babyy/cid/963577 |title=Parineeta goes glam – Vidya Balan on her new avatar in Heyy Babyy |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Both films performed poorly at the box office,<ref name="bo07">{{cite web |website=Box Office India |title=Top India Total Nett Gross 2007 |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2007&pageId=4 |access-date=26 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229135129/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2007&pageId=4 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> but the latter was selected as [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India's entry]] for the [[80th Academy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Eklavya sent to Oscars |last=Dasgupta |first=Priyanka |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-09-26/news-interviews/27996379_1_eklavya-official-entry-oscar-entry |access-date=13 October 2012 |date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930075552/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-09-26/news-interviews/27996379_1_eklavya-official-entry-oscar-entry |archive-date=30 September 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Citing date issues, Vidya refused Pradeep Sarkar and [[Sudhir Mishra]]'s offers to star in their films ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]'' and ''[[Khoya Khoya Chand]]'', respectively; she has said that both filmmakers were upset with her decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/miss-no-it-all/articleshow/15746038.cms |title=Miss no-it-all |date=2 October 2007 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref> | |||
In her next release of 2007, the comedy ''[[Heyy Babyy]]'', she starred opposite [[Akshay Kumar]] in her first glamorous, westernised role.<ref name="glam" /> Her look was poorly received,<ref name="Publishing2008">{{cite book |author=Outlook Publishing |title=Outlook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PjEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69 |access-date=10 June 2012 |date=3 March 2008 |publisher=Outlook Publishing |page=68 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107140526/http://books.google.com/books?id=PjEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69 |archive-date=7 January 2014}}</ref> with [[Namrata Joshi]] of ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]'' writing, "Vidya is irritating, over-the-top, extremely affected and looks ghastly in figure-hugging frocks."<ref>{{cite news |last=Joshi |first=Namrata |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/heyy-baby/235517 |title=Heyy Baby |date=10 September 2007 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=Outlook}}</ref> She next teamed with Kumar once again in ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa]]'', a comedy horror film from [[Priyadarshan]], which served as a remake of the Malayalam film ''[[Manichitrathazhu]]'' (1993). Played by [[Shobana]] in the original, Vidya was challenged by the role of a woman suffering from [[dissociative identity disorder]]; in preparation, she stayed in isolation for three days and once collapsed on set.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 October 2012 |date=11 October 2007 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/11sl3.htm |title=Who's who in Bhool Bhulaiyaa |publisher=Rediff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055250/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/11sl3.htm |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="collapse">{{cite news |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-why-vidya-balan-collapsed-on-the-set-1130343 |title=Why Vidya Balan collapsed on the set |date=28 October 2007 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> Moreover, she was intimidated by the dancing that her role required and began learning [[kathak]] days before filming her scenes.<ref name="collapse" /> Despite disliking the film and Vidya's dancing, [[Khalid Mohamed]] found her "bankably likeable", and [[Taran Adarsh]] described her as "splendid".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/review-bhool-bhulaiya/story-265AQRIkqzKc6H9Fqc0baN.html |title=Review: Bhool Bhulaiya |first=Khalid |last=Mohamed |date=12 October 2007 |access-date=15 October 2012 |work=Hindustan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203172546/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/review-bhool-bhulaiya/story-265AQRIkqzKc6H9Fqc0baN.html |archive-date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54360 |title=Bhool Bhulaiyaa review |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |author=Adarsh, Taran |access-date=9 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125060922/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54360 |archive-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> Both ''Heyy Babyy'' and ''Bhool Bhulaiyaa'' were among the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year.<ref name="bo07" /><ref name="lifetime">{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU= |publisher=BoxOfficeIndia |access-date=9 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015223626/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU%3D |archive-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The latter earned her a second Best Actress nomination at Filmfare.<ref name="oldawards" /> | |||
In 2008's ''[[Halla Bol]]'', based on the life of activist [[Safdar Hashmi]], Vidya played a supporting role opposite [[Ajay Devgn]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/halla-bol-based-on-safdar-hashmi-rajkumar-santoshi/story-ER1YDLo2kud4osws2bH95L.html |title=Halla Bol based on Safdar Hashmi: Rajkumar Santoshi |work=Hindustan Times |date=12 July 2007 |access-date=20 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127022913/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/halla-bol-based-on-safdar-hashmi-rajkumar-santoshi/story-ER1YDLo2kud4osws2bH95L.html |archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> She next took on a glamorous role once again in the romantic comedy ''[[Kismat Konnection]]'', co-starring [[Shahid Kapoor]]. She explained her choice of this part as a deliberate attempt to move away from her comfort zone, but she found it difficult to dance alongside Kapoor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/14video1.htm |title=Vidya Balan, enjoying her kismet |last=Ramani |first=Nithya |website=Rediff.com |access-date=26 April 2020 |date=14 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329020624/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/14video1.htm |archive-date=29 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Elvis D'Silva of [[Rediff.com]] found Vidya to be "woefully miscast" and criticised her look and wardrobe, as did Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'', who dismissed her as "determinedly frumpy".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/18kk.htm |title=Kismat Disconnection |last=D'Silva |first=Elvis |website=Rediff.com |access-date=26 April 2020 |date=18 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195944/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/18kk.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kismat-konnection/337677/ |title=Kismat Konnection |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |work=The Indian Express |access-date=26 April 2020 |date=18 July 2008}}</ref> Both films had poor box office returns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA== |title=Box office 2008 |publisher=BoxOfficeIndia |access-date=9 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014132123/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=215&catName=MjAwOA%3D%3D |archive-date=14 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Addressing her failure in portraying glamorous roles, Vidya has said that such parts did not suit her personality and blamed herself for "a complete lack of conviction on my part".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/JbeZ73wYywoE67Zg7X3oLI/Profile--Why-everybody-loves-Vidya.html |title=Profile: Why everybody loves Vidya |last=Janardhan |first=Arun |work=Mint |access-date=26 April 2020 |date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002060322/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/JbeZ73wYywoE67Zg7X3oLI/Profile--Why-everybody-loves-Vidya.html |archive-date=2 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Established actress (2009–2012) === | |||
Vidya's career prospects improved in 2009 when [[R. Balki]] cast her in his comedy-drama ''[[Paa (film)|Paa]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oh Mamma! |date=31 December 2009 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/oh-mamma/story-0V7gvbZyQPOiKrsDFJXV5M.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sukumaran |first=Shradha |title=Simple to Sexy |date=24 March 2010 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=https://openthemagazine.com/art-culture/simple-to-sexy/ |work=Open}}</ref> She played a single mother struggling with her son's (played by [[Amitabh Bachchan]]) [[progeria]]. She was initially skeptical about playing the part, wondering if she could be maternal towards an actor of Bachchan's stature, who is over 30 years her senior. After insisting on a look test with Bachchan, she said that his effective transformation into a young boy had convinced her to accept the part.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Maa in Paa |last=Udasi |first=Harshikaa |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/The-Maa-in-Paa/article16851292.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Comparing her acting style to that of [[Dimple Kapadia]], the critic [[Sukanya Verma]] wrote, "Balan is poignant yet restrained and projects an impressive figure of grace and integrity";<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch Paa for Auro |website=Rediff.com |author=Verma, Sukanya |date=4 December 2009 |access-date=25 August 2010 |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/04/review-watch-paa-for-auro.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410161623/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/04/review-watch-paa-for-auro.htm |archive-date=10 April 2010}}</ref> [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' commended her for lending a "rare dignity to the image of the Bollywood mom".<ref>{{cite news |title=Review: Paa |author=Kazmi, Nikhat |date=3 December 2009 |access-date=25 August 2010 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Paa/movie-review/5297226.cms |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221134747/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Paa/movie-review/5297226.cms |archive-date=21 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Paa'' was a commercial success,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=288&catName=MjAwOQ== |title=Box office 2009 |website=Box Office India |access-date=9 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014131907/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=288&catName=MjAwOQ%3D%3D |archive-date=14 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and won Vidya the Filmfare Award and [[Screen Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="oldawards" /> Vidya has said that the film's reception gave her "courage to stick to my conviction".<ref name="ie09">{{cite news |title='Ishqiya' has challenged me as an actor: Vidya Balan |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-ishqiya-has-challenged-me-as-an-actor-vidya-balan/553938/0 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> | |||
Vidya described her next role, in [[Abhishek Chaubey]]'s black comedy ''[[Ishqiya]]'' (2010), to be "an epitome of grey".<ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan in never seen before role in 'Ishqiya' |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=16 October 2012 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article94956.ece |work=The Hindu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214155906/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article94956.ece |archive-date=14 December 2013}}</ref> In a departure from her wholesome on-screen persona, she starred as a seductive, manipulative widow from a village in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="ie09" /> The part required her to master the local dialect, which also involved the use of profanity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan takes acting lessons from Naseer |date=29 September 2009 |access-date=16 October 2012 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_vidya-balan-takes-acting-lessons-from-naseer_1194161 |work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Raina |first=Shilpa |title=Vidya Balan on her abusive lingo in Ishqiya |date=20 November 2009 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/vidya-balan-on-her-abusive-lingo-in-ishqiya/story-ApS4jVSpvQTsXGPs6mp0NI.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> [[Anupama Chopra]] opined, "Vidya Balan's smoldering looks scorch the screen even as her eyes hint at tragedy. She proves that she is miles ahead of the cookie cutter Barbie dolls that clutter Bollywood and that sensuality has very little to do with showing skin."<ref>{{cite web |title=Review : Ishqiya |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/ishqiya-473 |author=Chopra, Anupama |date=29 January 2010 |website=NDTV |access-date=9 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110090129/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/ishqiya-473 |archive-date=10 January 2014}}</ref> Vidya's work won her the [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress]], a second consecutive Best Actress award at Screen, and a nomination for Best Actress at Filmfare.<ref name="awards" /> | |||
[[File:Vidya Balan at The Dirty Picture success media meet (4).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Vidya at an event for ''[[The Dirty Picture]]'' (2011), for which she won the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]]]] | |||
The year 2011 was key in Vidya's career, as she had starring roles in two commercially successful female-led films.<ref name="Hero" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-03/news-interviews/30581535_1_vidya-balan-silk-smitha-sabrina-lal |date=5 January 2012 |access-date=7 January 2012 |author=Iyer, Meena |title=What's left for Vidya Balan to do in 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174032/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-03/news-interviews/30581535_1_vidya-balan-silk-smitha-sabrina-lal |archive-date=8 September 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="boxoffice2011">{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bollywood-rediscovered-mega-hits-in-2011/212464-8-66.html |title=Bollywood rediscovered mega hits in 2011 |publisher=IBNLive |access-date=17 December 2011 |date=16 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726093958/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bollywood-rediscovered-mega-hits-in-2011/212464-8-66.html |archive-date=26 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="woman" /> In ''[[No One Killed Jessica]]'', a thriller based on the [[murder of Jessica Lal]], and co-starring [[Rani Mukerji]], Vidya played the real-life character of Sabrina, who seeks justice for her sister's murder. Vidya was styled in men's dresses and loose-fitted clothing; several scenes were shot on location using hidden cameras, and she was pleased with the anonymity that her styling provided.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article960860.ece |title=Take Two |last=Devi Dundoo |first=Sangeetha |date=25 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2012 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914062120/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article960860.ece |archive-date=14 September 2012}}</ref> Moreover, she spoke positively of her rapport with Mukerji, noting the rarity of two leading ladies within the same Hindi film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/close-up/cid/485135 |title=Close-Up |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=27 April 2020 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> [[Sudhish Kamath]] of ''[[The Hindu]]'' took note of Vidya's ability to be "in sublime control over her emotions"<ref>{{cite news |title=The sledgehammer wants to be subtle |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1073041.ece |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |date=29 January 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=8 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111045134/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1073041.ece |archive-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> and Savera Someshwar of Rediff.com added that "her hesitant body language, her faith, her helplessness, her rage, her sorrow and her gratitude all come across beautifully".<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: No One Killed Jessica could have been better |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/no-one-killed-jessica-review/20110106.htm |last=Someshwar |first=Savera |date=6 January 2012 |publisher=Rediff |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104044329/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/no-one-killed-jessica-review/20110106.htm |archive-date=4 November 2012}}</ref> Vidya earned another Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nominations for 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/2974/2974 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=11 January 2011 |date=11 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720224321/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/2974/2974 |archive-date=20 July 2012}}</ref> In the same year, she made a guest appearance in the Malayalam film ''[[Urumi (film)|Urumi]]'' and a retrospective of her films was held in Australia as part of the [[Bollywood and Beyond (Australia–New Zealand)|Bollywood and Beyond]] festival.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |title=Indian film festival in Australia to screen retrospective of Vidya Balan's films |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1295329/Indian-Film-Festival-in-Australia-to-screen-retrospective-of-Vidya-Balans-films |date=15 March 2011 |access-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060505/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1295329/Indian-Film-Festival-in-Australia-to-screen-retrospective-of-Vidya-Balans-films |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya to dub in Malayalam for Urumi |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-27/news-interviews/28637924_1_malayalam-film-vidya-balan-urumi |date=27 February 2012 |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060529/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-27/news-interviews/28637924_1_malayalam-film-vidya-balan-urumi |archive-date=23 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that with her role in ''[[The Dirty Picture]]'' (2011), a drama based on the controversial Indian actress [[Silk Smitha]], Vidya had "redefine[d] the Hindi film heroine".<ref name="nyt11">{{cite news |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |url=https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/newswallah-bollywood-edition-4/ |title=Newswallah: Bollywood Edition |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=27 April 2020 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005082214/https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/newswallah-bollywood-edition-4/ |archive-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> She was challenged by the overwhelming sexuality in the role, and spoke of the mental preparation she put into achieving a balance between the character's mix of innocence, vulnerability, and sex appeal.<ref name="nyt11" /><ref>{{cite news |work=The Hindu |author=Kumar, Anuj |title=What an odd one! |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1075100.ece |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=9 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112071923/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1075100.ece |archive-date=12 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=CNN-IBN |title=Silk is sexy, desirable, but not sleazy: Vidya |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/silk-is-sexy-desirable-but-not-sleazy-vidya/206962-8-66.html |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=3 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201213043/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/silk-is-sexy-desirable-but-not-sleazy-vidya/206962-8-66.html |archive-date=1 December 2011}}</ref> She gained {{convert|12|kg|lb|0}} to look the part.<ref>{{cite news |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-gained-12-kilograms-for-the-dirty-picture-vidya-balan/story-WivVWCiYJZMY7MN0RZcYDI.html |agency=ANI |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=2 December 2011 |title=I gained 12 kilograms for The Dirty Picture: Vidya Balan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324212117/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-gained-12-kilograms-for-the-dirty-picture-vidya-balan/story-WivVWCiYJZMY7MN0RZcYDI.html |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Khalid Mohamed observed of Vidya, "She's extraordinary: gutsy, consistently in character and unafraid of exposing her darker side. Here's the kind of complex performance which you haven't evidenced in years and years."<ref>{{cite news |work=Hindustan Times |title=Critics go gaga over The Dirty Picture |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/critics-go-gaga-over-the-dirty-picture/story-YblUtdRKbDsZMKc4r3iOPI.html |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=2 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319041916/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/critics-go-gaga-over-the-dirty-picture/story-YblUtdRKbDsZMKc4r3iOPI.html |archive-date=19 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> With worldwide earnings of {{INRConvert|1.14|b}}, ''The Dirty Picture'' emerged as Hindi cinema's highest-grossing female-led film to that point.<ref name="all-time" /><ref name="woman">{{cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Roshmila |author-link=Roshmila Bhattacharya |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-rules-bo-with-biggest-grossing-woman-centric-films/story-YztihFamFXeM6q5h8MzXKO.html |title=Vidya Balan rules BO with biggest grossing woman-centric films |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=12 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203172546/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-rules-bo-with-biggest-grossing-woman-centric-films/story-YztihFamFXeM6q5h8MzXKO.html |archive-date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vidya won another Filmfare and Screen Award, in addition to the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebritymicro/awards/id/8098 |title=Vidya Balan — Awards |access-date=25 August 2010 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129143424/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebritymicro/awards/id/8098 |archive-date=29 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="national">{{cite web |title=National Awards: Vidya Balan gets best actress for 'The Dirty Picture' |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/national-awards-vidya-balan-gets-best-actress/236998-8-66.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=30 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703041747/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/national-awards-vidya-balan-gets-best-actress/236998-8-66.html |archive-date=3 July 2012}}</ref> | |||
She next starred in the thriller ''[[Kahaani]]'' (2012), directed by [[Sujoy Ghosh]]. Set in [[Kolkata]] during the [[Durga Puja]] festivities, the film starred Vidya as a pregnant woman in search of her missing husband. Made on a shoestring budget, it was shot for over 64 days in the streets of Kolkata by means of [[guerrilla filmmaking]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-11/news-interviews/31145194_1_kahaani-sujoy-ghosh-aladin |title=Vidya Balan is a character driven actress: Sujoy Ghosh |access-date=11 March 2012 |date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224121229/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-11/news-interviews/31145194_1_kahaani-sujoy-ghosh-aladin |archive-date=24 December 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/vidya-s-story/cid/439398 |title=Vidya's story |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=27 April 2020 |date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106154044/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/vidya-s-story/cid/439398 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vidya drew media attention for wearing a prosthetic belly while promoting the film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kelkar Dabholkar |first=Reshma |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-21/news-interviews/31078998_1_kahaani-vidya-balan-sujoy-ghosh |title=Vidya Balan's baby bump? |access-date=21 February 2012 |date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103130955/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-21/news-interviews/31078998_1_kahaani-vidya-balan-sujoy-ghosh |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan rides BEST bus to promote her Kahaani |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vidya-balan-rides-best-bus-to-promote-her-kahaani/1/175688.html |date=28 February 2012 |work=India Today |access-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030060134/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vidya-balan-rides-best-bus-to-promote-her-kahaani/1/175688.html |archive-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Pratim D. Gupta of ''[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]'' wrote that Vidya "gets into the physicality of a pregnant woman with unfailing mastery".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120310/jsp/entertainment/story_15231247.jsp#.T3F0dEoQgrU |title=What a ''Kahaani'' |first=Pratim D. |last=Gupta |work=The Telegraph |access-date=27 March 2012 |date=10 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313013944/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120310/jsp/entertainment/story_15231247.jsp |archive-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> Sanjukta Sharma of ''[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]'' summarised, "Balan’s existence, and indeed her flourishing, says something about the Hindi film industry finally breaking away from the “heroine" mould."<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Sanjukta |title=The Kolkata conundrum |date=9 March 2012 |access-date=27 April 2020 |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nY7iWFY5F3u3NHgtVAjo1J/The-Kolkata-conundrum.html |work=Mint |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721050252/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nY7iWFY5F3u3NHgtVAjo1J/The-Kolkata-conundrum.html |archive-date=21 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> As with ''The Dirty Picture'', ''Kahaani'' too emerged among the biggest earning female-led Hindi films, grossing over {{INRConvert|1.04|b}} worldwide.<ref name="woman" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-s-kahaani-completes-50-days-grosses-rs-104-cr-worldwide/story-8bAabZus5GJWR8fLwIoXQN.html |title=Vidya Balan's Kahaani completes 50 days, grosses Rs. 104 cr worldwide |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 April 2012 |date=27 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021436/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-s-kahaani-completes-50-days-grosses-rs-104-cr-worldwide/story-8bAabZus5GJWR8fLwIoXQN.html |archive-date=12 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vidya won a fourth consecutive Best Actress Award at Screen and a third Best Actress Award at Filmfare.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |title=Night belongs to Paan Singh Tomar, Barfi!, Kahaani |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/night-belongs-to-paan-singh-tomar-barfi--kahaani/1058501/0 |date=13 January 2013 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=13 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116205054/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/night-belongs-to-paan-singh-tomar-barfi--kahaani/1058501/0 |archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="ff12">{{cite web |title=Filmfare Awards: All the action from the awards night |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/filmfare-awards-live-all-the-action-from-the-awards-night/316815-8-66.html |date=21 January 2013 |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=21 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121023308/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/filmfare-awards-live-all-the-action-from-the-awards-night/316815-8-66.html |archive-date=21 January 2013}}</ref> | |||
=== Setback and resurgence (2013–2017) === | |||
After serving as a jury member at the [[2013 Cannes Film Festival]], Vidya starred in the comic thriller ''[[Ghanchakkar (film)|Ghanchakkar]]'' (2013).<ref name="cannes">{{cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Onkar |title=Vidya Balan on ''Ghanchakkar'' and her first Cannes outing |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/vidya-balan-on-ghanchakkar-and-her-first-cannes-outing/1134594/0 |date=29 June 2013 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=1 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704030052/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/vidya-balan-on-ghanchakkar-and-her-first-cannes-outing/1134594/0 |archive-date=4 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-23/news-interviews/36485185_1_vidya-balan-siddharth-roy-kapur-rajkumar-gupta |title=Marriage won't affect my work: Vidya Balan |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127162002/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-23/news-interviews/36485185_1_vidya-balan-siddharth-roy-kapur-rajkumar-gupta |archive-date=27 November 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Playing a boisterous [[Punjabi people|Punjabi woman]] opposite [[Emraan Hashmi]], she explained that unlike her previous few films, her part in it was secondary to the male star.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-happy-not-to-play-a-protagonist-in-ghanchakkar-633519 |title=Marriage won't affect my work: Vidya Balan |date=10 June 2013 |website=NDTV |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702085533/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-happy-not-to-play-a-protagonist-in-ghanchakkar-633519 |archive-date=2 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sarit Ray of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' dismissed her "shrill, garish-dressing, magazine-devouring Punjabi housewife" character as "caricature-ish".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sarit-ray-s-review-ghanchakkar/story-qUBk4vkvF5EpvWPhD0HGgJ.html |title=Sarit Ray's review: Ghanchakkar |work=Hindustan Times |last=Ray |first=Sarit |date=30 June 2013 |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref> Vidya then provided the voice of [[Draupadi]] for ''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]'', an animation film based on the Indian [[Mahabharata|epic of the same name]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Plan your weekend: movies releasing this Friday |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/plan-your-weekend-movies-releasing-this-friday/story-6iSDch5Lh32iSgAJSf8MOO.html |date=26 December 2013 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=28 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117174702/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/plan-your-weekend-movies-releasing-this-friday/story-6iSDch5Lh32iSgAJSf8MOO.html |archive-date=17 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> She began 2014 with ''[[Shaadi Ke Side Effects]]'', a romantic comedy about a married couple, in which she was pitted opposite [[Farhan Akhtar]]. Critics liked their chemistry, but were unimpressed with the film.<ref>{{cite news |title=Movie review: Shaadi Ke Side Effects is a bit overstretched |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-vidya-farhan-s-performances-enrich-shaadi-ke-side-effects/article1-1189011.aspx |date=27 February 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228201227/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-vidya-farhan-s-performances-enrich-shaadi-ke-side-effects/article1-1189011.aspx |archive-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> She was next drawn to the title role of an aspiring detective in the comedy-mystery film ''[[Bobby Jasoos]]'', after connecting with the character's struggle to prove herself.<ref>{{cite news |title=My character in 'Bobby Jasoos' does not know everything: Vidya Balan |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/my-character-in-bobby-jasoos-does-not-know-everything-vidya-balan/1264998 |date=28 June 2014 |work=The Financial Express |access-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701010745/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/my-character-in-bobby-jasoos-does-not-know-everything-vidya-balan/1264998 |archive-date=1 July 2014}}</ref> It required her to sport 12 elaborate disguises, and she trained with a language coach to adopt a [[Hyderabadi]] accent.<ref>{{cite news |last=KBR |first=Upala |title=I really wanted to do a film with a Khan but I can't do it now: Vidya Balan |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-i-really-wanted-to-do-a-film-with-a-khan-but-i-can-t-do-it-now-vidya-balan-1996203 |date=18 June 2014 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222805/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-i-really-wanted-to-do-a-film-with-a-khan-but-i-can-t-do-it-now-vidya-balan-1996203 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> Rohit Khilnani of ''[[India Today]]'' was appreciative of Vidya's performance but disliked the film's script and execution.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khilnani |first=Rohit |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/bobby-jasoos-vidya-balan-ali-fazal-dia-mirza-movie-review-199261-2014-07-04 |title=Movie review: Bobby Jasoos is just about watchable |date=4 July 2014 |work=India Today |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref> All of these films were commercially unsuccessful, which led Vidya to admit that she felt "devastated" by their reception.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pradhan |first=Bharathi S. |title=Three flops, and a kiss |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140713/jsp/7days/18609788.jsp |date=13 July 2014 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614043516/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140713/jsp/7days/18609788.jsp |archive-date=14 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chopra |first=Rukmini |title=I'm not asking anyone to not exercise: Vidya Balan |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-i-m-not-asking-anyone-to-not-exercise-vidya-balan-2085691 |date=14 May 2015 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324000358/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-i-m-not-asking-anyone-to-not-exercise-vidya-balan-2085691 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Vidya Balan at the 63rd Filmfare Awards.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Vidya at the [[63rd Filmfare Awards]], where she won her fourth [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] award for ''[[Tumhari Sulu]]'' (2017)]] | |||
The series of poorly received films continued with the romantic drama ''[[Hamari Adhuri Kahani]]'' (2015).<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Dipti |title=Vidya Balan: I wept when Hamari Adhuri Kahani flopped |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-begum-jaan-i-wept-when-hamari-adhuri-kahani-flopped-4572841/ |date=18 March 2017 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810070503/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-begum-jaan-i-wept-when-hamari-adhuri-kahani-flopped-4572841/ |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The writer [[Mahesh Bhatt]], who based the film on his own mother, was keen to have Vidya play the lead role of a domestic abuse survivor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Humari Adhuri Kahani is a story I've been dying to do: Vidya Balan |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/humari-adhuri-kahaani-vidya-balan-mohit-suri-mahesh-bhatt-emraan-hashmi-rajkummar-rao-236943-2015-01-22 |date=22 January 2015 |work=India Today |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref> Shubha Shetty-Saha of ''[[Mid-Day]]'' bemoaned that she had been "saddled with a boring, outdated, weepy character" and that "there was nothing much even she could do".<ref>{{cite news |last=Shetty-Saha |first=Shubha |title='Hamari Adhuri Kahani' {{ndash}} Movie Review |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/hamari-adhuri-kahani---movie-review/16286150 |date=12 June 2015 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613234058/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/hamari-adhuri-kahani---movie-review/16286150 |archive-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> The following year, she took on the supporting part of a police officer in ''[[Te3n]]'' (2016), a thriller inspired by the 2013 South Korean film ''[[Montage (2013 film)|Montage]]'', co-starring Amitabh Bachchan and [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]. She was drawn to playing a woman who commands respect and identified with her "silent aggression".<ref name="move">{{cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Alakananda |title=Constantly on the move |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/constantly-on-the-move/article8699167.ece |date=7 June 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] criticised the film's predictable denouement, but liked Vidya's ability to act through gestures.<ref>{{cite web |last=Masand |first=Rajeev |title='Te3n' Review: Compelling Thriller, Slowly Draws You Into Suspense |url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/te3n-review-compelling-thriller-slowly-draws-you-into-suspense-1254559.html |date=10 June 2016 |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=12 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611132152/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/te3n-review-compelling-thriller-slowly-draws-you-into-suspense-1254559.html |archive-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> She then portrayed the actress [[Geeta Bali]] in multiple songs for ''[[Ekk Albela]]'', a [[Marathi cinema|Marathi]]-language biopic of [[Bhagwan Dada]].<ref name="move" /> Journalists speculated if ''[[Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh]]'' (2016), a spiritual sequel to ''Kahaani'', would help overcome her career decline.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kahaani-2-vidya-balan-arjun-rampal-sujoy-ghosh-durga-rani-singh/1/823386.html |title=Between Kahaani and Kahaani 2, what accounts for Vidya Balan's lack of success? |last=Ghosh |first=Devarshi |work=India Today |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218064837/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kahaani-2-vidya-balan-arjun-rampal-sujoy-ghosh-durga-rani-singh/1/823386.html |archive-date=18 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kahaani-2-will-vidya-balan-recreate-the-kahaani-magic/story-gSPfkvNput5xoQOQdyrDvI.html |title=Kahaani 2: Will Vidya Balan recreate the Kahaani magic? |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 December 2016 |access-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209233820/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kahaani-2-will-vidya-balan-recreate-the-kahaani-magic/story-gSPfkvNput5xoQOQdyrDvI.html |archive-date=9 December 2016}}</ref> It was not as well-received as the first film, but Vidya received a Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her portrayal of a [[child sexual abuse]] survivor.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kahaani-2-review-roundup-heres-what-critics-have-say-about-vidya-balan-starrer-706509 |title=Kahaani 2 review roundup: Here's what critics have to say about the Vidya Balan-starrer |last=Goswami |first=Parismita |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=2 December 2016 |access-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202114311/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kahaani-2-review-roundup-heres-what-critics-have-say-about-vidya-balan-starrer-706509 |archive-date=2 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=62nd Jio Filmfare Awards 2017 Nominations |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-62nd-jio-filmfare-awards-17987.html |work=Filmfare |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113122217/http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-62nd-jio-filmfare-awards-17987.html |archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> In a mixed review of the film, Raja Sen of Rediff.com wrote that "with tremendous commitment to the part, [Vidya] gives us a stirring performance free of vanity or obviousness".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-kahaani-2-is-let-down-by-predictability/20161202.htm |title=Review: Kahaani 2 is let down by predictability |last=Sen |first=Raja |work=Rediff.com |date=2 December 2016 |access-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113172230/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-kahaani-2-is-let-down-by-predictability/20161202.htm |archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> | |||
In [[Srijit Mukherji]]'s period drama ''[[Begum Jaan]]'' (2017), a remake of the filmmaker's own Bengali film ''[[Rajkahini]]'' (2015), Vidya played the title role of a [[procuring (prostitution)|procurer]] from the 1940s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Dhritiman |title=Mahesh Bhatt's Rajkahini remake being shot in Jharkhand |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mahesh-Bhatts-Rajkahini-remake-being-shot-in-Jharkhand/articleshow/52890427.cms |date=23 June 2016 |work=The Times of India |access-date=27 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628031709/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mahesh-Bhatts-Rajkahini-remake-being-shot-in-Jharkhand/articleshow/52890427.cms |archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> She worked with Mukherji to provide a backstory to her character and researched the era by reading ''[[Urvashi Butalia#The Other Side of Silence|The Other Side of Silence]]''; filming in the barren landscape of rural [[Jharkhand]] was physically daunting for her.<ref name="begum">{{cite news |last=Jhunjhunwala |first=Udita |title=Vidya Balan on Begum Jaan: 'She's almost like Gabbar, she fears no one' |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Zr7riZyQ7UNmqwq93zf7cM/Vidya-Balan-I-have-not-played-a-character-who-is-so-inyou.html |date=13 April 2017 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |access-date=15 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415154349/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Zr7riZyQ7UNmqwq93zf7cM/Vidya-Balan-I-have-not-played-a-character-who-is-so-inyou.html |archive-date=15 April 2017}}</ref> [[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] of ''[[Firstpost]]'' wrote that she "issues one-liners in a monotone, but is unable to dig deep and summon up a relatable human being".<ref>{{cite web |last=Vetticad |first=Anna MM |title=Begum Jaan movie review: Vidya Balan and feminism deserve better than this soulless film |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/begum-jaan-movie-review-vidya-balan-and-feminism-deserve-better-than-this-soulless-film-3383716.html |date=14 April 2017 |website=[[Firstpost]] |access-date=15 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414232602/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/begum-jaan-movie-review-vidya-balan-and-feminism-deserve-better-than-this-soulless-film-3383716.html |archive-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> Vidya next played Sulu, a spirited housewife who moonlights as a [[talk radio]] host of a relationship counseling show, in the comedy-drama ''[[Tumhari Sulu]]''. She identified with her character's lively personality and was pleased to play a rare comic part.<ref name="sulu">{{cite web |last=Parikh |first=Urvi |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/you-want-it-to-sound-sexy-na-vidya-balan-tumhari-sulu/20171106.htm |title='You want it to sound sexy, na?' |work=Rediff.com |date=6 November 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012536/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/you-want-it-to-sound-sexy-na-vidya-balan-tumhari-sulu/20171106.htm |archive-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> She drew on her experience of playing a radio jockey in ''Lage Raho Munna Bhai'' and listened to late-night radio shows.<ref name="sulu" /> Writing for ''The Times of India'', Neil Soans commended Vidya for "infusing Sulu with an abundance of infectious optimism without being aggravating", and Shubhra Gupta complimented the way she used "her distinctive voice and full-bellied laughter to invest Sulu with real warmth".<ref>{{cite news |last=Soans |first=Neil |title=Tumhari Sulu Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/tumhari-sulu/movie-review/61668494.cms |date=16 November 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=17 November 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117093917/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/tumhari-sulu/movie-review/61668494.cms |archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |title=Tumhari Sulu Movie Review |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/tumhari-sulu-movie-review-vidya-balan-manav-kaul-film-4940289/ |date=17 November 2017 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=17 November 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117174759/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/tumhari-sulu-movie-review-vidya-balan-manav-kaul-film-4940289/ |archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> NDTV listed her performance as the best by a Hindi film actress that year, and she won her fifth Screen Award and fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/zaira-wasim-to-vidya-balan-a-list-of-2017s-best-actresses-1795708 |title=Zaira Wasim To Vidya Balan: A List Of 2017's Best Actresses |publisher=NDTV |date=4 January 2018 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012450/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/zaira-wasim-to-vidya-balan-a-list-of-2017s-best-actresses-1795708 |archive-date=26 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Star Screen Awards 2017 full Winners List: Irrfan Khan, Rajkummar Rao, Vidya Balan, Neha Dhupia & Dangal win big! |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/star-screen-awards-2017-full-winners-list-irrfan-khan-rajkummar-rao-vidya-balan-neha-dhupia-751790 |work=International Business Times |access-date=3 December 2017 |date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042010/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/star-screen-awards-2017-full-winners-list-irrfan-khan-rajkummar-rao-vidya-balan-neha-dhupia-751790 |archive-date=5 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="ff18">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-jio-filmfare-awards-2018-vidya-balan-wins-the-best-actor-in-a-leading-role-female-award/articleshow/62586291.cms |title=63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018: Vidya Balan wins the Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) award |work=The Times of India |access-date=21 January 2018 |date=21 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121061556/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-jio-filmfare-awards-2018-vidya-balan-wins-the-best-actor-in-a-leading-role-female-award/articleshow/62586291.cms |archive-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> It also proved to be Vidya's first commercial success since 2012; she called the film's reception a "major confidence booster".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/tumhari-sulu-vidya-balan-starrer-emerges-a-hit-at-the-box-office-2062977.html |title=Tumhari Sulu: Vidya Balan starrer emerges a hit at the Box Office |website=[[Zee News]] |date=4 December 2017 |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312053333/http://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/tumhari-sulu-vidya-balan-starrer-emerges-a-hit-at-the-box-office-2062977.html |archive-date=12 March 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-tumhari-sulu-married-actress-hit-films-4981147/ |title=Vidya Balan: I started believing that may be a married actress can't score a hit |work=The Indian Express |date=13 December 2017 |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217063826/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-tumhari-sulu-married-actress-hit-films-4981147/ |archive-date=17 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Professional expansion and streaming films (2019–present) === | |||
[[File:Vidya Balan promoting Mission Mangal.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Vidya promoting ''[[Mission Mangal]]'' in 2019]] | |||
Vidya expanded into South Indian cinema in 2019, with roles in the two-part Telugu biopic, ''[[N.T.R: Kathanayakudu]]'' and ''[[N.T.R: Mahanayakudu]]'', and the Tamil drama ''[[Nerkonda Paarvai]]''. In the former two, about the actor-politician [[N. T. Rama Rao]], she played Rao's first wife.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/release-date-of-ntr-mahanayakudu-confirmed/articleshow/67160842.cms |title=Release date of NTR Mahanayakudu confirmed |date=19 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109010520/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/release-date-of-ntr-mahanayakudu-confirmed/articleshow/67160842.cms |archive-date=9 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/ntr-biopic-starring-nandamuri-balakrishna-vidya-balan-rana-daggubati-to-release-on-9-january-2019-5316621.html |title=NTR biopic, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, Vidya Balan, Rana Daggubati, to release on 9 January, 2019 |date=4 October 2018 |work=Firstpost |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011174427/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/ntr-biopic-starring-nandamuri-balakrishna-vidya-balan-rana-daggubati-to-release-on-9-january-2019-5316621.html |archive-date=11 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both films failed commercially.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ntr-kathanayakudu-box-office-collection-day-9-biopic-turns-first-big-disaster-2019-790314 |title=NTR: Kathanayakudu box office collection day 9 – Biopic turns first big disaster of 2019 |work=International Business Times |first=Shekhar |last=H Hooli |access-date=19 January 2019 |date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120043052/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ntr-kathanayakudu-box-office-collection-day-9-biopic-turns-first-big-disaster-2019-790314 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ntr-mahanayakudu-box-office-collection-it-biggest-failure-nandamuri-balakrishnas-career-792733 |title=NTR: Mahanayakudu box office collection: It is the biggest failure of Nandamuri Balakrishna's career |first=Shekhar H. |last=Hooli |date=27 February 2019 |work=International Business Times |access-date=5 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227123847/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/ntr-mahanayakudu-box-office-collection-it-biggest-failure-nandamuri-balakrishnas-career-792733 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Nerkonda Paarvai'', a remake of the courtroom drama ''[[Pink (2016 film)|Pink]]'' (2016), she briefly played the wife of [[Ajith Kumar]]'s character.<ref>{{cite news |last=KBR |first=Upala |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/boney-kapoor-vidyas-role-is-a-powerful-one-in-pink-remake/403841 |title=Boney Kapoor: Vidya's Role Is A Powerful One In Pink Remake |date=4 January 2019 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104161213/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/boney-kapoor-vidyas-role-is-a-powerful-one-in-pink-remake/403841 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although not keen on remakes, she agreed to the project to bring attention to its theme of [[sexual consent]].<ref>{{cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vidya-balan-on-working-with-thala-ajith-in-nerkonda-paarvai/article28684451.ece |title=I was floored by Ajith's personality, says Vidya Balan on working in 'Nerkonda Paarvai' |date=23 July 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724113611/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vidya-balan-on-working-with-thala-ajith-in-nerkonda-paarvai/article28684451.ece |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Srinivasa Ramanujam of ''The Hindu'' dismissed the portions involving Vidya as inessential.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/nerkonda-paarvai-review-ajith-aces-this-courtroom-drama-which-reiterates-the-meaning-of-consent/article28833914.ece |title='Nerkonda Paarvai' movie review: Ajith aces this courtroom drama which reiterates the meaning of consent |date=6 August 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807132940/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/nerkonda-paarvai-review-ajith-aces-this-courtroom-drama-which-reiterates-the-meaning-of-consent/article28833914.ece |archive-date=7 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> It emerged as one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bigil-petta-viswasam-kanchana-3-nerkonda-paarvai-kaithi-power-kollywoods-theatrical-takings-in-2019-to-rs-1000-cr-7736851.html |title=Bigil, Petta, Viswasam, Kanchana 3, Nerkonda Paarvai, Kaithi power Kollywood's theatrical takings in 2019 to Rs 1000 cr |work=Firstpost |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228120405/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bigil-petta-viswasam-kanchana-3-nerkonda-paarvai-kaithi-power-kollywoods-theatrical-takings-in-2019-to-rs-1000-cr-7736851.html |archive-date=28 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vidya teamed with Akshay Kumar for the third time in ''[[Mission Mangal]]'', about the [[Mars Orbiter Mission]], which marked India's first interplanetary expedition.<ref>{{cite news |title=Akshay Kumar's Mission Mangal will star Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-signs-three-new-projects-to-start-shooting-for-mission-mangal-this-month/story-SJRWDHneqcNvDEBRBgHXMO.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=5 November 2018 |date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105061942/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-signs-three-new-projects-to-start-shooting-for-mission-mangal-this-month/story-SJRWDHneqcNvDEBRBgHXMO.html |archive-date=5 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> She liked the idea of playing a seemingly ordinary homemaker who balances her family life with her work as a scientist, and she was also pleased to work with four other leading ladies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mission Mangal actor Vidya Balan: Tara Shinde is not a superwoman |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-mission-mangal-playing-tara-shinde-mars-orbiter-akshay-kumar-5905272/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=15 August 2019 |date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815060049/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-mission-mangal-playing-tara-shinde-mars-orbiter-akshay-kumar-5905272/ |archive-date=15 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan gears up for Mission Mangal |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/vidya-balan-gears-up-for-mission-mangal/cid/1697859 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=15 August 2019 |date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814195653/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/vidya-balan-gears-up-for-mission-mangal/cid/1697859 |archive-date=14 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Joe Leydon]] of ''Variety'' found Vidya to be "drop-dead perfect from wire to wire", and she was awarded with another Best Actress nomination at Filmfare.<ref>{{cite news |title=Film Review: 'Mission Mangal' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/mission-mangal-review-1203304480/ |work=Variety |access-date=16 August 2019 |date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816082957/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/mission-mangal-review-1203304480/ |archive-date=16 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations |title=Nominations for Filmfare Awards 2020 |work=Filmfare |access-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203105210/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations |archive-date=3 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> With global earnings of {{INRConvert|2.9|b}}, ''Mission Mangal'' emerged as her highest-grossing release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/all-time/page/2/ |title=Bollywood Top Grossers Worldwide |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227151832/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/all-time/page/2/ |archive-date=27 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The short film ''[[Natkhat]]'' (2020), about a mother teaching her young son about gender equality, marked Vidya's first production venture. It premiered on [[YouTube]] as part of the [[We Are One: A Global Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Joshi |first=Namrata |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/i-am-a-work-in-progress-feminist/article31726214.ece |title=Vidya Balan: I am a work-in-progress feminist |date=1 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2 June 2020}}</ref> She then portrayed the [[mental calculator]] [[Shakuntala Devi]] in an [[Shakuntala Devi (film)|eponymous biopic]], which due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] could not release theatrically and instead streamed on [[Amazon Prime Video]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-to-play-math-genius-shakuntala-devi-says-i-am-extremely-excited-to-play-the-human-computer/story-13uBrYF18ONi5bbEjnwv4L.html |title=Vidya Balan is all set to play Shakuntala Devi on-screen |date=8 May 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=8 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508084631/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-to-play-math-genius-shakuntala-devi-says-i-am-extremely-excited-to-play-the-human-computer/story-13uBrYF18ONi5bbEjnwv4L.html |archive-date=8 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-s-shakuntala-devi-biopic-to-be-released-on-amazon-prime-actor-thrilled-to-entertain-you-in-unprecedented-times/story-JBB5KBfMeGt2UfuBedHJYK_amp.html |title=Vidya Balan's Shakuntala Devi biopic to be released on Amazon Prime, actor 'thrilled to entertain you in unprecedented times' |date=15 May 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref> The director [[Anu Menon]] cast Vidya as she believed that Devi's "gregarious and flamboyant" personality matched that of the actress; in preparation, Vidya listened to interviews of Devi's daughter and husband, and watched online videos of Devi.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bhadani |first=Priyanka |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2020/07/30/a-complex-equation.html |title=A complex equation |work=The Week |access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref> Mike McCahill of ''[[The Guardian]]'' praised Vidya's "all-shotguns-blazing performance" and ''The Hindu''{{'s}} Kenneth Rosario took note of her "ability to smoothly transition between age and appearances, but even she can't salvage a rather mawkish finale to the film".<ref>{{cite news |last=McCahill |first=Mike |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jul/30/shakuntala-devi-review-mathematical-maths-genius-biopic-anu-menon |title=Shakuntala Devi review – spirited biopic of a mathematical genius |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 July 2020 |access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rosario |first=Kenneth |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/shakuntala-devi-movie-review-loud-mawkish-and-joyful/article32233408.ece |title='Shakuntala Devi' movie review: Loud, mawkish and joyful |work=The Hindu |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref> She received two more Filmfare nominations for her performance in it.<ref>{{cite news |title=66th Vimal Elaichi Filmfare Awards 2021: Check out the complete list of nominees |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/66th-vimal-elaichi-filmfare-awards-2021-check-out-the-complete-list-of-nominees/articleshow/81691822.cms |access-date=29 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=25 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
The following year, Vidya starred as an [[Indian Forest Service]] officer tracking a man-eating tigress in the environmental thriller ''[[Sherni (2021 film)|Sherni]]'' (2021). In preparation, she met two forest officers and went on forest trails with them, and read [[Peter Wohlleben]]'s book ''The Hidden Life of Trees''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jhunjhunwala, Udita|url=https://scroll.in/reel/997370/what-sherni-taught-vidya-balan-about-the-human-animal-conflict-and-her-approach-to-acting |title=What ‘Sherni’ taught Vidya Balan about the human-animal conflict – and her approach to acting |date=14 June 2021 |work=Scroll.in |access-date=9 March 2022 }}</ref> Sukanya Verma opined that Vidya's "refreshingly subdued portrayal" was a departure from the "self-aware feminist" roles that she had previously played.<ref>{{cite news |author=Verma, Sukanya|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/sherni-review/20210618.htm |title=Sherni review |date=18 June 2021 |website=Rediff.com |access-date=9 March 2022 }}</ref> Vidya next starred alongside [[Shefali Shah]] in the thriller ''[[Jalsa (2022 film)|Jalsa]]'' (2022), which marked her third consecutive film to release on Amazon Prime Video.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/vidya-balan-and-shefali-shahs-jalsa-will-give-you-pataal-lok-flashbacks-52507.html |title=Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah's Jalsa will give you Pataal Lok flashbacks |date=4 March 2022 |work=Filmfare |access-date=9 March 2022 }}</ref> She played a journalist involved in a hit-and-run, a morally ambiguous character that she was initially hesitant to play.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/vidya-balan-initially-rejected-jalsa-i-didnt-have-the-guts-2813277 |title=Vidya Balan Initially Rejected Jalsa: "I Didn't Have The Guts" |date=9 March 2022 |work=NDTV |access-date=31 March 2022 }}</ref> Monika Rawal Kukreja of ''Hindustan Times'' believed that the performances of Vidya and Shah had enhanced a mediocre picture.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jalsa movie review: Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah struggle to engage audience with half-baked characters|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/jalsa-movie-review-vidya-balan-and-shefali-shah-struggle-to-engage-audience-with-half-baked-characters-101647541016615-amp.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=18 March 2022|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> | |||
Vidya will next feature alongside [[Pratik Gandhi]] in an as-yet untitled romantic comedy and reunite with Anu Menon for a murder mystery film titled ''Neeyat''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/vidya-balan-says-relationship-dramas-are-my-favourite-genre-while-talking-about-her-film-with-pratik-gandhi-news-188557|title=Vidya Balan: Relationship Dramas Are My Favourite Genre |date=25 March 2022 |work=Outlook |access-date=1 April 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/vidya-balan-begin-uk-schedule-anu-menons-next-titled-neeyat/|title=Vidya Balan to begin UK schedule for Anu Menon’s next titled Neeyat|date=10 May 2022|work=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> She will also produce and star as [[Indira Gandhi]] in a web series based on [[Sagarika Ghose]]'s biography ''[[Indira: India's Most Powerful Prime Minister]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iyer |first=Sanyukta |title=Vidya Balan: I always wanted to play Indira Gandhi |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-i-always-wanted-to-play-indira-gandhi/articleshow/62449906.cms |work=Mumbai Mirror |access-date=11 January 2018 |date=11 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111003923/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/vidya-balan-i-always-wanted-to-play-indira-gandhi/articleshow/62449906.cms |archive-date=11 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Revealed: Vidya Balan starrer Indira Gandhi biopic to now be a web-series |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/revealed-vidya-balan-starrer-indira-gandhi-biopic-now-web-series/ |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=13 August 2018 |date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813111137/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/revealed-vidya-balan-starrer-indira-gandhi-biopic-now-web-series/ |archive-date=13 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Personal life and off-screen work == | |||
[[File:Vidya Siddharth cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|alt=Vidya Balan and Siddharth Roy Kapur are smiling at the camera.|Vidya and [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]] at their wedding ceremony in December 2012]] | |||
The mass media has often speculated about a romantic relationship between Vidya and her co-actors, but she has strongly denied these reports.<ref>{{cite news |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Poor+Vidya+pays+price+of+link-ups+with+stars/1/98590.html |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=7 October 2012 |title=Poor Vidya pays price of link-ups with stars |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210095710/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Poor+Vidya+pays+price+of+link-ups+with+stars/1/98590.html |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya happy she's not linked to Arshad |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1591274061.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903115025/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1591274061.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=8 November 2008}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> In 2009, Vidya was involved in a controversy when she mentioned a previous relationship in which "caustic remarks" were made at her due to her weight. She said, "If someone who matters to you takes you down, it can break you. That someone whose approval mattered to me started to constantly find faults with me. At that point of time, it was important to walk away from that relationship."<ref>{{cite news |last=Lalwani |first=Vickey |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-14/news-interviews/28068480_1_weight-loss-paa-and-ishqiya-vidya-balan |title=Vidya opens up on Shahid |access-date=11 May 2012 |date=14 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201075704/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-14/news-interviews/28068480_1_weight-loss-paa-and-ishqiya-vidya-balan |archive-date=1 December 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Though she refused to name the person, [[tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] reports suggested that she was referring to Shahid Kapoor (her co-star in ''Kismat Konnection'').<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Sneha |title=W(eig)ht so funny?! |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2467778891.html |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=25 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610083450/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2467778891.html |archive-date=10 June 2014}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> Kapoor, however, denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/shahid-kapoor-uncut/story-gpwx8WtTq85Hx8o8UB0etN.html |title=Shahid Kapoor, uncut |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=11 May 2012 |date=22 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203124326/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/shahid-kapoor-uncut/story-gpwx8WtTq85Hx8o8UB0etN.html |archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> During an interview in May 2012, Vidya announced that she was dating [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]], the CEO of [[UTV Motion Pictures]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-am-dating-siddharth-roy-kapoor-vidya-balan/256908-8-66.html |title=I am dating Siddharth Roy Kapoor: Vidya Balan |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=11 May 2012 |date=11 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512215215/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-am-dating-siddharth-roy-kapoor-vidya-balan/256908-8-66.html |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> On 14 December 2012, the couple were married in a private ceremony in [[Bandra]], Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web |last=Prashar |first=Chandni |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-is-now-mrs-siddharth-roy-kapur-630432 |title=Vidya Balan is now Mrs. Siddharth Roy Kapur |publisher=NDTV |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103061313/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-is-now-mrs-siddharth-roy-kapur-630432 |archive-date=3 January 2015}}</ref> | |||
Vidya is trained in [[Carnatic music]] and briefly studied the dance forms of [[Bharatnatyam]] and [[Kathak]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_the-right-man-hasn-t-come-along-yet-vidya-balan_1089724 |title=The right man hasn't come along yet: Vidya Balan |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=24 September 2012 |date=9 April 2007}}</ref> Regarding her religious affiliations, Vidya said, "I am a person with a lot of faith and I have conversations [with God] all the time but I am not so religious in the conventional, organised sense".<ref name="rules" /> She practices vegetarianism and was listed as "India's hottest vegetarian" in polls conducted by [[PETA]] in 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vyavahare |first=Renuka |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-18/news-interviews/28366462_1_vegetarian-diet-vidya-balan-top-contender |title=Vidya's India's hottest vegetarian |access-date=24 September 2012 |date=18 January 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104145534/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-18/news-interviews/28366462_1_vegetarian-diet-vidya-balan-top-contender |archive-date=4 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-vidya-balan-named-petas-hottest-vegetarian-celebrities/1053913 Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan named PETA's hottest vegetarian celebrities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107072048/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-vidya-balan-named-petas-hottest-vegetarian-celebrities/1053913/ |date=7 January 2013 }} ," ''The Indian Express'', 3 January 2013.</ref> Her weight fluctuations over the years have been the subject of substantial media coverage in India.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baliga |first=Shashi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article3006462.ece |title=It was liberating to be Silk |work=The Hindu |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=17 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720210700/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article3006462.ece |archive-date=20 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Vyavahare |first=Renuka |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-31/news-interviews/31920503_1_vidya-balan-marathi-films-curves |title=Why should women look like men: Vidya Balan |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=31 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103172251/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-31/news-interviews/31920503_1_vidya-balan-marathi-films-curves |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/fat-so-vidya-is-living-large-loving-it-625536 |title=Fat, so? Vidya is living large & loving it |publisher=NDTV |access-date=18 October 2012 |date=5 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103061150/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/fat-so-vidya-is-living-large-loving-it-625536 |archive-date=3 January 2015}}</ref> | |||
In March 2011, Vidya endorsed [[World Wildlife Fund]]'s [[Earth Hour]] campaign in India.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wadhwa |first=Akash |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-17/news-interviews/28699077_1_earth-hour-vidya-balan-wwf |title=Vidya Balan to promote Earth Hour |access-date=24 September 2012 |date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103134342/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-17/news-interviews/28699077_1_earth-hour-vidya-balan-wwf |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> She campaigned for the cause of nutrition in India for [[Child In Need Institute]] (CINI), a non-profit organisation based in Kolkata.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Chandreyee |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120529/jsp/calcutta/story_15541666.jsp#.UF_9r40gejs |title=Canvas to canvass for nutrition cause |work=The Telegraph |access-date=24 September 2012 |date=29 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212163401/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120529/jsp/calcutta/story_15541666.jsp |archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> In September 2012, Vidya visited a village in [[Mirzapur]], Uttar Pradesh, where she participated in a campaign to promote children's education and the empowerment of women.<ref>{{cite news |last=Udasi |first=Harshikaa |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3877583.ece |title=Doing her bit for society |work=The Hindu |access-date=24 September 2012 |date=9 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927003259/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3877583.ece |archive-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> For her attempts to empower women, Vidya was awarded the [[Prabha Khaitan]] Puraskar 2012 by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce; she was the youngest recipient of the award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vidya Balan bags another award, but not for a film! |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2675120141.html |date=1 June 2012 |work=Daily News and Analysis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610075855/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2675120141.html |archive-date=10 June 2014 |access-date=24 September 2012}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> In 2012, she became the first brand ambassador of the country's sanitation programme, later renamed as the [[Swachh Bharat Mission|Swachh Bharat Abhiyan]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vidya Balanroped in as brand ambassador for sanitation campaign |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/vidya-balan-roped-in-as-brand-ambassador-for-sanitation-campaign/articleshow/12985048.cms?from=mdr |access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref> Since then, she has been part of a nationwide television and radio campaign aimed to increase construction and use of toilets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2017 |title=Vidya Balan, Amitabh Bachchan and more: Bollywood bats for a clean India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-amitabh-bachchan-and-more-bollywood-bats-for-a-clean-india/story-6esXsSLzIXFQnuxjnb0CgO.html |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> | |||
In 2013, Vidya served as the grand marshal of the [[Independence Day (India)|India Day parade]] held in New York City.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/anna-hazare-vidya-balan-lead-biggest-india-day-parade-in-united-states/articleshow/21910154.cms |title=Anna Hazare, Vidya Balan lead biggest India Day parade in United States |work=The Economic Times |access-date=19 August 2013 |date=19 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331145029/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/anna-hazare-vidya-balan-lead-biggest-india-day-parade-in-united-states/articleshow/21910154.cms |archive-date=31 March 2015}}</ref> In the same year, she launched a technology-based learning platform for underprivileged children in the Thanapur village of Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/and-more/vidya-balan-launches-tech-based-learning-system_143258.html |title=Vidya Balan launches tech-based learning system |publisher=Zee News |access-date=23 September 2013 |date=23 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926174736/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/and-more/vidya-balan-launches-tech-based-learning-system_143258.html |archive-date=26 September 2013}}</ref> Also that year, Vidya featured as the host of ''No More Kamzor'', a television special on women empowerment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan hosts women's day special 'No More Kamzor' |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/389708/vidya-balan-hosts-women039s-day.html |date=4 March 2014 |work=Deccan Herald |access-date=6 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306130936/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/389708/vidya-balan-hosts-women039s-day.html |archive-date=6 March 2014}}</ref> On the occasion of [[International Women's Day]] in 2015, Vidya wrote an opinion column in ''Hindustan Times'' on the issues faced by women in India.<ref>{{cite news |last=Balan |first=Vidya |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-s-column-happy-women-s-day-or-is-it/article1-1324035.aspx |title=HT Exclusive: Happy women's day, or is it? Vidya Balan writes |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=8 March 2015 |date=9 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308095506/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-s-column-happy-women-s-day-or-is-it/article1-1324035.aspx |archive-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> In August 2017, Vidya was made a member of the Indian [[Central Board of Film Certification]], to certify films for theatrical exhibition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-gets-sacked-vidya-balan-joins-cbfc-headed-prasoon-joshi/ |title=After Pahlaj Nihalani gets sacked, Vidya Balan joins CBFC headed by Prasoon Joshi |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=12 August 2017 |date=12 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812143113/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/pahlaj-nihalani-gets-sacked-vidya-balan-joins-cbfc-headed-prasoon-joshi/ |archive-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> The following year, she became the goodwill ambassador of Arpan, an NGO that creates awareness on sexual abuse.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/vidya-balans-taking-her-own-sweet-time/19570163 |title=Vidya Balan's Taking Her Own Sweet Time! |work=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=3 July 2018 |date=3 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703094908/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/vidya-balans-taking-her-own-sweet-time/19570163 |archive-date=3 July 2018}}</ref> In 2019, she collaborated with [[BIG FM 92.7]] to host a radio show named "Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vashisht |first1=Radhika |last2=Young |first2=Sean Colin |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/020319/celebrities-go-on-air.html |title=Celebrities go on air |work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=8 May 2019 |date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508094749/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/020319/celebrities-go-on-air.html |archive-date=8 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Media image and artistry == | |||
Following the success of ''Parineeta'' and ''Lage Raho Munna Bhai'', Vidya's film roles were subject to wide critical analysis.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110410/spectrum/main9.htm |title=The uniqueness of being Vidya |work=The Tribune |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=10 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110410/spectrum/main9.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> [[Vir Sanghvi]] noted that the films ''Heyy Babyy'' and ''Kismat Konnection'' were "strange films [...] in which she tried to pretend to be what she is not — a Bollywood bimbette."<ref name="rules" /> Vidya described that particular phase in her career as a "struggle to be someone else".<ref>{{cite news |last=Bhupta |first=Malini |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/its-a-constant-struggle-to-be-someone-else-vidya-67234-2010-02-12 |title=It's a constant struggle to be someone else: Vidya |work=India Today |date=12 February 2010 |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090211/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/its-a-constant-struggle-to-be-someone-else-vidya-67234-2010-02-12 |archive-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> Due to the criticism that her film choices evoked, Vidya decided to choose roles that she "believed in" rather than choose by convention.<ref name="men">{{cite news |title=Why men love Vidya Balan |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-246310012.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=12 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105233010/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-246310012.html |archive-date=5 November 2013}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> Members of the media have subsequently labelled her as "bold" and "daring" in her choices.<ref name="list">{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |title=Bollywood's best actresses of 2011 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-bollywoods-best-actresses-of-the-year-yearend-2011/20111230.htm |publisher=Rediff |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=30 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905162613/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-bollywoods-best-actresses-of-the-year-yearend-2011/20111230.htm |archive-date=5 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan: Hindi cinema's new bold |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/vidya-balan-hindi-cinemas-new-bold/890115/0 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=21 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204024459/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/vidya-balan-hindi-cinemas-new-bold/890115/0 |archive-date=4 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Vidya at GQ (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Vidya at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, 2013]] | |||
Her starring roles in ''Heyy Babyy'' and ''Kismat Konnection'' also led to considerable attention in the media for her "questionable wardrobe". Several publications listed her as the "worst dressed actress" and her costume designers attributed her failure to carry off western clothes due to her weight and body structure.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wadhwa |first=Akash |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-14/news-interviews/27891870_1_vidya-balan-parineeta-kismat-konnection |title=Look, it does matter! |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=14 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060456/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-14/news-interviews/27891870_1_vidya-balan-parineeta-kismat-konnection |archive-date=23 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Rediff |title=The worst dressed actresses of 2007 |date=4 December 2007 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2007/dec/04yractress1.htm |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113155053/http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2007/dec/04yractress1.htm |archive-date=13 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What was she thinking? |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1495143311.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=15 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105232949/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1495143311.html |archive-date=5 November 2013}}{{subscription required|via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> She was later praised in the media for wearing [[sari]]s at public events; designer [[Niharika Khan]] explained, "Vidya's beauty lies in her curves. She's comfortable in her voluptuousness, and therefore in a sari."<ref>{{cite news |last=Walia |first=Nona |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-26/designers/31144727_1_vidya-balan-sari-heyy-babyy |title=Is Vidya Balan trapped in a sari? |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=26 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061508/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-26/designers/31144727_1_vidya-balan-sari-heyy-babyy |archive-date=23 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Vidya has since been identified as defying "an anglicised idea of sexuality" and embody the idea of "raw Indian sexuality".<ref name="men" /> | |||
After portraying strong protagonists in ''Paa'', ''Ishqiya'', ''No One Killed Jessica'', ''The Dirty Picture'' and ''Kahaani'', Vidya was credited in the media for pioneering a movement that breaks the stereotypical portrayal of heroines in Bollywood.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |title=Power actors: Marking a clear shift in gender dynamics, Bollywood embraces films spearheaded by female protagonists |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140323/spectrum/enter1.htm |date=23 March 2014 |access-date=2 June 2014 |work=The Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140323/spectrum/enter1.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dubey |first=Bharati |title=Gals, guts and glory: Women power reaches another high in Bollywood |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/gals-guts-and-glory-women-power-reaches-another-high-in-bollywood/15445182 |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716145949/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/gals-guts-and-glory-women-power-reaches-another-high-in-bollywood/15445182 |archive-date=16 July 2014}}</ref> The major commercial success of the latter two earned her the title of a "female hero"<ref name="Hero">{{cite web |last1=N |first1=Patcy |last2=Dedhia |first2=Sonil |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-vidya-i-did-not-believe-that-i-could-be-so-sexy/20120228.htm |title=Vidya Balan: I didn't believe I could be so sexy |publisher=Rediff |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=28 February 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010150153/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-vidya-i-did-not-believe-that-i-could-be-so-sexy/20120228.htm |archive-date=10 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Naval-Shetye |first=Aakanksha |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_im-happy-being-called-a-heroine-vidya-balan_1623410 |title=I'm happy being called a heroine: Vidya Balan |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=17 October 2012 |date=9 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110111053/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_im-happy-being-called-a-heroine-vidya-balan_1623410 |archive-date=10 January 2012}}</ref> and Kalpana Nair of ''[[Firstpost]]'' noted that with these two films Vidya spearheaded a change in the roles that were offered to actresses over 30.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Kalpana |url=http://www.firstpost.com/blogs/thirty-and-fabulous-how-priyanka-vidya-and-kareena-redefined-aging-469433.html |title=Thirty and fabulous: How Priyanka, Vidya and Kareena redefined aging |work=[[Firstpost]] |access-date=26 September 2012 |date=6 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927224952/http://www.firstpost.com/blogs/thirty-and-fabulous-how-priyanka-vidya-and-kareena-redefined-aging-469433.html |archive-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> Critic [[Mayank Shekhar]] predicted, "Just a few smart male actors can completely change the face of a commercial, star-driven film industry. Looking at [...] Vidya Balan [...] it appears, that change could well originate from the leading lady instead."<ref>{{cite news |last=Shekar |first=Mayank |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-the-dirty-picture/story-Y5u9LlV44FytJcLwBDQNmI.html |title=Mayank Shekhar's review: The Dirty Picture |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=2 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031113932/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-the-dirty-picture/story-Y5u9LlV44FytJcLwBDQNmI.html |archive-date=31 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
''[[India Today]]'' featured Vidya in their 2012 listing of the nation's most powerful women and noted that "she has toppled the all dominating hero, reducing him to a supporting role in a male dominated film industry".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/25-most-influential-women-vidya-balan-kareena-kapoor/1/177016.html |title=25 power women and their inspiring stories |work=India Today |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101105921/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/25-most-influential-women-vidya-balan-kareena-kapoor/1/177016.html |archive-date=1 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Vidya was featured by ''[[Forbes India]]'' in their annual [[Forbes Celebrity 100|Celebrity 100]] list in 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vidya Balan |url=http://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile/vidya-balan/1439/70 |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707182620/http://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile/vidya-balan/1439/70 |archive-date=7 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> She occupied the top slot in Rediff.com's annual listing of the year's best performances for two consecutive years (2010–11).<ref name="list" /><ref>{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bollywood's best actresses, 2010 |date=31 December 2010 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-bollywoods-best-ctresses-2010/20101231.htm |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025113233/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-bollywoods-best-ctresses-2010/20101231.htm |archive-date=25 October 2012}}</ref> She also featured in the list for the years 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2016.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Rediff |title=Bollywood's best actresses, 2005 |date=23 December 2005 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2005/dec/23yend9.htm |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922040641/http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2005/dec/23yend9.htm |archive-date=22 September 2012}}<br />{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bollywood's top actresses, 2006 |date=25 August 2006 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/25sd4.htm |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055747/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/25sd4.htm |archive-date=23 October 2013}}<br />{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bollywood's best actresses, 2009 |date=31 December 2009 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-best-actresses-of-2009/20091231.htm |access-date=23 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508212615/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-best-actresses-of-2009/20091231.htm |archive-date=8 May 2013}}<br />{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bollywood's best actresses, 2012 |date=21 December 2012 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-yearend-special-bollywood-s-top-ten-actresses-of-2012/20121221.htm#8 |access-date=29 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127161020/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-yearend-special-bollywood-s-top-ten-actresses-of-2012/20121221.htm |archive-date=27 January 2013}}<br />{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |work=Rediff.com |title=10 performances 2016 should be proud of! |date=30 December 2016 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/special/10-performances-2016-should-be-proud-of/20161230.htm |access-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112051113/http://www.rediff.com/movies/special/10-performances-2016-should-be-proud-of/20161230.htm |archive-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> In 2012, the magazine ''[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]]'' featured her as one of India's "Young Power Women" and wrote, "In a reel world peopled by [[size zero]]-toned bodies and pretty-as-a-picture heroines, Vidya comes across as completely real and natural – a woman who has followed her own instincts and dared to live her destiny by being her own person and not morphing herself to fit into any conventional slot."<ref name="quote1">{{cite journal |url=http://www.verveonline.com/109/people/power-women.shtml |title=Young power women |author=Mehta, S., Jahagirdar-Saxena, S., Modak, N. & Sah, M. |journal=[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]] |volume=20 |issue=6 |access-date=23 September 2012 |date=June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619051144/http://www.verveonline.com/109/people/power-women.shtml |archive-date=19 June 2012}}</ref> Two years later, the magazine listed her as a power icon.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vervemagazine.in/people/power-icon-vidya-balan |title=Power Icon: Vidya Balan |access-date=24 June 2014 |date=8 July 2018 |work=Verve |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707200526/http://www.vervemagazine.in/people/power-icon-vidya-balan |archive-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> In 2018, ''[[The Economic Times]]'' considered Vidya to be one of the most prominent celebrity brand ambassadors in India.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/face-of-advertising-vidya-balan-has-signed-nine-new-brands-in-the-past-10-months/articleshow/64821513.cms |title=Face of advertising: Vidya Balan has signed nine new brands in the past 10 months |work=The Economic Times |access-date=2 July 2018 |date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708095740/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/face-of-advertising-vidya-balan-has-signed-nine-new-brands-in-the-past-10-months/articleshow/64821513.cms |archive-date=8 July 2018}}</ref> | |||
In 2014, Vidya was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award in India, for her contributions to the entertainment industry.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-vidya-balan-paresh-rawal-get-padma-shri-1957062 |title=Vidya Balan, Paresh Rawal get Padma Shri |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=26 January 2014 |date=25 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127013116/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-vidya-balan-paresh-rawal-get-padma-shri-1957062 |archive-date=27 January 2014}}</ref> The following year, she received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from [[Rai Foundation|Rai University]]; the university also named a scholarship program for underprivileged girls after her.<ref>{{cite news |last=Das |first=Anirban |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-to-be-awarded-honorary-doctorate/article1-1353488.aspx |title=Vidya Balan to be awarded honorary doctorate |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=2 June 2015 |date=1 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601070642/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-to-be-awarded-honorary-doctorate/article1-1353488.aspx |archive-date=1 June 2015}}</ref> The chancellor of the university, Harbeen Arora said, "Among the league of iconic actors, Vidya is a pioneer in every way. Her films epitomise a distinct Indianness and a powerful womanhood".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/vidya-balan-gets-honorary-doctorate-for-her-contribution-to-indian-cinema-1000191.html |title=Vidya Balan gets honorary doctorate for her contribution to Indian cinema |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=2 June 2015 |date=25 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709092619/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/vidya-balan-gets-honorary-doctorate-for-her-contribution-to-indian-cinema-1000191.html |archive-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> | |||
== Accolades == | |||
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Vidya Balan}} | |||
Among Vidya's film awards are a [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for ''The Dirty Picture'' (2011);<ref name="national" /> and six Filmfare Awards: [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut|Best Female Debut]] for ''Parineeta'' (2005);<ref name="oldawards" /> [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for ''Paa'' (2009),<ref name="oldawards" /> ''The Dirty Picture'' (2011),<ref name="awards" /> ''Kahaani'' (2012),<ref name="ff12" /> and ''Tumhari Sulu'' (2017);<ref name="ff18" /> and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Critics Award for Best Actress]] for ''Ishqiya'' (2010).<ref name="awards" /> | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[List of Indian film actresses]] | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
== Further reading == | |||
{{refbegin}} | |||
* {{cite news |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/article2697851.ece |title=Vidya gets dirty... and how! |author=Baliga, Shashi |date=2 December 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108052604/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/article2697851.ece |archive-date=8 January 2012}} | |||
* {{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111203/jsp/entertainment/story_14833153.jsp |title=Bombaat! |author=Roy, Priyanka |date=3 December 2011 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=11 January 2012}} | |||
* {{cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/JbeZ73wYywoE67Zg7X3oLI/Profile--Why-everybody-loves-Vidya.html |title=Why everybody loves Vidya |author=Janardhan, Arun |date=2 March 2012 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=17 October 2012}} | |||
* {{cite web |url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/the-artist-365.html |title=The Artist |author=Singh, Raghuvendra |date=23 April 2012 |work=Filmfare |access-date=24 September 2012}} | |||
{{refend}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* {{IMDb name|id=1799038}} | |||
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[[Category:1979 births]] | [[Category:1979 births]] | ||
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