Richa Shukla (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2019)

Vidya Balan, who was recently in Jaipur to speak at an event, talked at length about issues related to gender, body shaming, Indian cinema, and her choice of roles.

Over the years, the national award-winning actress has come to be known for breaking stereotypes and experimenting with roles. When asked about her experience in the Hindi film industry, considered by many as male-dominated, she replied, “I don’t care whether it’s a male-dominated industry or world. I believe the world is my oyster and I have the power to achieve my dreams. That’s the faith and belief that my family has instilled in me.”

She continued, “Honestly, I didn’t set out to change or break any rules or challenge stereotypes. I followed my gut feeling. In the second or third year of my career, I knew I did not want to do the kind of work I was doing. The moment I decided that, the kind of work I like doing began to show up. The universe literally responded to my desire. I took up those roles and those films, they worked out well, and one step led to the next.”

‘AFTER HEYY BABY AND KISMAT KONNECTION, I REALISED I’M NOT A TYPICAL HEROINE’
Vidya faced a lot of criticism for her choice of films in the early years of her career. But she has no regrets. “I keep referring to Heyy Babyy and Kismat Konnection. While the films did very well, I faced a lot of criticism. But I still think, if not for these films, I would not be here today, because that’s how I realised that I don’t fit into the mould of a typical heroine. I had to be true to myself and be authentic. What began to happen (after these films) is that roles started getting written for me, which I am very grateful for,” she said.

‘I GOT OBSESSED WITH ELEPHANTS WHILE ON A SHOOT... EVEN WANTED TO BUY ONE’
Narrating a funny anecdote, Vidya recalled how during the shoot of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, she became obsessed with elephants and even wanted to buy one. “I got obsessed with elephants. I was shooting at a heritage property near Jaipur for Bhool Bhulaiyaa. I would pass by the Amber Fort every day and feed the elephants walking by. Then one day I called up my parents and asked them, ‘Can we buy an elephant?’ And they jokingly said, ‘Ek kaafi nahi hai kya?’,” she said, adding, “But I was so adamant. Every day I would call my parents and ask them, ‘So what do you think?’ So they stopped taking my calls for a few days. Obviously, one cannot keep an elephant in an apartment in Mumbai.”

Then the actress shared another incident involving her sister. “My elder sister Priya has always been like a mother to me. I remember I had a crush on Priya’s first boyfriend. When I got to know about their relationship, I thought I will be the sacrificial goat and I will give up my love. I felt like I have done something big.”

‘WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECENT RAPE CASES, I FELT LIKE CRYING’
Vidya also talked about the issue of body shaming. Advising the women attending the event to be happy in their skin, she said, “I keep saying that The Dirty Picture was life defining for me. I had to feel sexy in it. If I did not feel it, the audience won’t feel it. I ended up getting told that I looked the sexiest in that film. The Dirty Picture helped me realise that size has nothing to do with the way you feel about yourself. No one else has anything to do with the way you feel about yourself.”

Commenting on women facing sexual atrocities in this country, Vidya said, “Let’s not behave as if it is happening for the first time. It’s just that very few cases were reported a decade ago. When I heard about the recent rape cases, there was anger and hatred. I felt like crying. We need to make our law enforcement agencies more accountable, though it’s easier said than done.”