Actor Vidya Balan captivated an audience of women entrepreneurs with her infectious laughter and candid humor at an event organized by FICCI FLO, the Ladies Organization of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Held at the prestigious Taj West End, the event featured handloom products from Karnataka artisans, exemplifying Vidya’s advocacy for supporting India’s rich textile heritage. As she shared her fondness for handloom saris, she spoke passionately about how the attire allows women to express their truest selves.
“I almost always wear a sari to any event. 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,” she asserted, grounding her perspective in her personal experiences.
The versatile actor, famed for her dynamic roles across various genres, spoke about the intrinsic curiosity that drives her career. “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,” she explained. Reflecting on her role in “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” Vidya humorously mentioned that it was the only film where she could be her natural self, prompting hearty laughter from the audience.
Vidya elaborated on how this approach helps her connect deeply with the characters she portrays. “Understanding 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. That’s the beauty of life,” she noted.
Despite her numerous successes, Vidya has faced significant challenges in her journey through the film industry. She recounted a particularly trying period when she was labeled a jinx in the Malayalam film industry, replaced in 12 films, and struggled with her body image. “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 realize every experience has made me who I am today, and I like who I am today,” she shared.
A major turning point in her relationship with her body was starring in “The Dirty Picture.
.” Vidya played the role of Silk Smitha, a performance that helped her become comfortable with her 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,” she expressed.
Vidya emphasized that the movie transformed both her image as an actor and as an individual. “As an individual, 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,” she said.
Financial literacy was another important topic of discussion. Among India’s highest-paid actors, Vidya stressed the importance 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.’ Most women, even if they are top executives and leaders, don’t take financial decisions on their own. It’s important not just to earn but also to 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,” she advised.
The session took a serious turn when a member of the audience brought up the Kolkata rape case, inquiring about the role of cinema in real-life violence. “I believe the opposite is true,” Vidya countered, adding, “It is the real that inspires and impacts the reel. What we see around us is reflected on screen. There is nothing called originality—it all has to come from somewhere.”
Cinema, according to Vidya, has long been unfairly tasked with being society’s moral compass. “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,” she explained.
While expressing her sympathy for the victim and her family, Vidya admitted to feeling lost about the issue of women’s safety. “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,” she concluded, leaving the audience with much to ponder.
