Bollywood actor Vidya Balan has recently been promoting her new film, “Tumari Sulu,” where she plays the role of a chatty homemaker from Mumbai, who becomes an unstoppable force of nature when she embarks on a new venture as an RJ for a radio station. Blurring the line between her spunky fictional character and her real life persona, Balan tries to separate the two during an interview.
Unlike the traditional Bollywood female actors of current times, Balan has ruled over the industry with her powerful persona and versatile acting - from television to the cinema - the actor has become a role model to all.
Since her debut, Balan has faced criticism regarding her fluctuating weight - which had bothered her in her earlier years, but has come a long way to love her curves. She is far from the “typical” actress Bollywood is accustomed, especially where size zero figure sells more.
Balan once said: “A fat girl always feels like a boy will not like her because of her weight. But there is only so much a boyfriend, a husband and your family can do. But I know that love is non-negotiable and at the end of the day, you have to come to terms with who you are." This is a bold stand for her to take, especially as an actor from the Indian film industry.
So far, the actor has donned several versatile roles, such as a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in “Kahaani,” a social justice seeker in “No One Killed Jessica,” Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classical representation of the titular character in “Parineeta,” and a Hyderabadi wanna-be detective in “Bobby Jasoos,” among others. The actor fits into every role that the audience resonates and can communicate with.
Starting from her TV show, "Hum Paanch," to her newest film, Balan has kept her Indian tradition forefront and made it her style too.
The actor has never felt shy to talk about her married life, her weight and own stance for anything, which are some of the reasons behind her tremendous journey in Bollywood. She has even been referred as “the fourth Khan” by assistant professor of Film Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and academic Nandana Bose - due to Balan’s sheer box-office successes with films like “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” “Kahaani” and “The Dirty Picture,” and becoming a “gamechanger” in the male-oriented industry.
Bollywood and its respective audience are eagerly waiting for her new film where she is expected to become a superwoman example for all those common people in India, especially for those who wish to do something or become someone, along with maintain a happy family life.
To add, Vidya Balan is a superwoman of Bollywood, she inspires the common people. For instance, when asked about losing weight during an interview, she said: "What's the relationship between 'women-centric' and weight loss?"
She further added: "No, I'm very happy with the kinds of roles I am doing. It would be great if you could change your mind set."
The current film industry needs heroes like her who believe in one’s inner-strength, not just the outer-beauty.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
