At a recent gathering organized by FICCI FLO, the Ladies Organisation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, renowned actor Vidya Balan captivated an audience of women entrepreneurs with her infectious laughter and audacious wit. The event took place at the prestigious Taj West End in Bengaluru and was marked by a celebration of handloom products contributed by artisans from across Karnataka. With her ever-eloquent charm, Vidya delved into her personal and professional journey in the film industry, emphasizing the importance of self-love, body positivity, and financial autonomy.
With a natural ease, Vidya articulated her longstanding passion for handloom saris and fervently encouraged women to wear them as they wish. “I almost always wear a sari to any event,” she shared with the crowd. “Every woman feels beautiful in a sari as it wraps you in its warm embrace. You don’t have to struggle to fit into it, and it allows you to be your most authentic self. My size has fluctuated over the years, but whenever I step out in a sari, I always feel sexy and confident.”
Her love for acting was another focal point of her discourse. Vidya has made a name for herself by taking on diverse roles in films spanning various genres. She attributes her success to an innate curiosity about people. “I’m curious about people and I believe that’s why acting worked out for me. I was born to be an actor; at some point, I let go of who I am and how I behave, to be true to my movie persona. This is how I prep for every film, except Bhool Bhullaiya which was the natural me,” she said, her words sparking raucous laughter from the audience.
Understanding the psyche of her characters is a critical part of Vidya’s acting process. “Their feelings, angst, sensitivities, and vulnerabilities — everything that makes them a person. I think all of us are the same and yet, each one of us is unique and that’s the beauty of life,” she explained.
Despite her numerous successes, Vidya has faced her share of trials in the film industry. She recounted a particularly challenging period when she was labeled a jinx in the Malayalam film industry, replaced in 12 films, and struggled with her body image and self-confidence. “I had begun working in a Tamil film and after shooting for a few days, I was replaced. When my parents and I went to meet the producer in Chennai, he showed my father some clips and said, ‘Just look at her — does she look like a heroine?’ I remember I didn’t look at myself in the mirror for close to six months after that; it had damaged my self-confidence terribly. But now, when I look back, I realise every experience has made me who I am today and I like who I am today.”
Playing the role of Silk Smitha in “The Dirty Picture” marked a significant turning point in Vidya’s relationship with her body. “The Dirty Picture made me comfortable with my body.
. I’ve always had body image issues as I was a fat girl growing up. The Dirty Picture made me realize your body size has nothing to do with the way you feel about yourself and that is truly liberating.”
“The experience changed my image as an actor and as an individual,” Vidya elaborated. “It made me aware that it is this body keeping me alive and I need to appreciate it. I began to revel in and enjoy my body after that.”
Shifting to financial matters, Vidya addressed the importance of financial literacy and independent money management. As one of India’s highest-paid actors, she underscored the significance of women taking control of their finances. “I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is, ‘Your money is your money and my money is my money’. I feel most women, even if they are top executives and leaders, don’t take financial decisions on their own. It’s important to not just earn, but also learn how to handle money because money is power. You might make a few mistakes along the way, but today, there are enough resources to guide you.”
In a more somber moment, the discussion turned to the recent Kolkata rape case. Vidya was asked if cinema could be held responsible for real-life violence. “I believe the opposite is true,” she stated. “It is the real that inspires and impacts the reel. What we see around us is what is reflected on screen. There is nothing called originality — it all has to come from somewhere.”
Vidya elaborated that cinema has long been burdened with being the moral compass of society. “It isn’t so, only a small fraction of people consume even the biggest blockbusters. Javed sir (Akhtar) summed it up beautifully when he said, it is actually society that corrupts films and not films that corrupt society.”
Expressing her sympathy for the victim and her family, she added, “It makes you fearful for the safety of the girls and women in our lives. When are we going to stop looking over our shoulder? I don’t have an answer; I’m as lost as you.”
The session was a blend of humor, wisdom, and heartfelt honesty, leaving the audience inspired and introspective about the roles they play, both in their own lives and in the broader social fabric.
