Happy Birthday, Vidya Balan: How the actor defied societal norms and rose to fame

Vidya Balan is one of the most bankable actors of Indian cinema. She is unapologetically bold and always believes in being herself. Her choice of movies and outfits truly reflect who she is.

After entering the film industry, Vidya Balan broke the stereotypical notion of how a conventional Bollywood actress should look. Rather than being just a pretty face and a zero-size figure, she is always more authentic and a substantial actor.

Vidya’s made her acting debut with the 1995 sitcom ‘Hum Paanch’. She made her film debut by starring in the Bengali film ‘Bhalo Theko’ (2003). The 2005 drama ‘Parineeta’ was her first Bollywood film that received immense praise. This was followed by commercial successes in ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006) and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ (2007).

From playing the role of late erotic actress Silk Smitha to playing a scientist, Vidya has won hearts with her unconventional avatars. She is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014.

Vidya is not only recognised for her seemingly effortless performances, but is also known for speaking her mind out on various issues. Over the years, she has talked about accepting her age, has criticised the society for its fake beauty standards, and has also raised the issue of objectification of women in showbiz.

Also, after veteran actor Rekha, Vidya Balan has showed us how easy it is to make a statement with six yards. The actor, who is often trolled for her fashion sense, has admitted in several interviews that she would earlier succumb to the trends and what the stylists had to offer, but now she chooses comfort.

Vidya also promotes humanitarian causes and supports women empowerment. She was appointed as a member of the Indian Central Board of Film Certification in 2017.

Vidya Balan is married to the film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.

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