Vidya Balan, an Indian film actress, has carved a niche for herself in the Bollywood industry with her unconventional film choices and gender-defying roles. The Bollywood actress known for her strong female protagonists, she has been instrumental in advancing women’s roles in Bollywood.
This blog post delves into the life and career of this talented actress, highlighting her rise to stardom, career highlights, awards, achievements, controversies, and some interesting facts.
Early Life and Upbringing
Vidya Balan was born on January 1, 1979, in Bombay (present-day Mumbai), into a Tamil Brahmin family. Her father, P. R. Balan, is the executive vice-president of Digicable, and her mother, Saraswathy Balan, is a homemaker. They speak Palakkad Tamil at home.
Vidya grew up in the suburban neighborhood of Chembur, Mumbai, and attended St. Anthony Girls’ High School. From a young age, she aspired to a career in film and was inspired by the work of actors Shabana Azmi and Madhuri Dixit.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vidya P. Balan |
| Nickname | Vidhi |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Vidya P. Balan |
| Date of Birth | 1 January 1979 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 44 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Poothamkurussy, Puthur, Palakkad, Kerala, India |
| Hometown | Chembur, Mumbai , Maharashtra, India |
| Current Address | A sea facing flat in Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai |
| Education Qualification | Masters degree in Sociology from University of Mumbai |
| Hobbies and Interests | Reading, yoga, traveling |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Vidya Balan – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Vidya Balan – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 35-30-35 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5 feet 4 inches, 163 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 70 kg, 154 lbs |
| Chest | 35 inches |
| Waist | 30 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Medium length and wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Her smile, her eyes, her saree look |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Vidya Balan is married to the film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur. The couple tied the knot in 2012. Prior to her marriage, Vidya was linked to several co-stars, including Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
However, she has always maintained a dignified silence about her personal life.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Siddharth Roy Kapur, Businessman and Producer (2012-present) |
| Father | P. R. Balan (Worked as Executive Vice-President of Digicable) |
| Mother | Saraswathy Balan (Homemaker) |
| Children | N/A |
| Siblings | Priya Balan (Sister, Works for an advertising company) |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | N/A |
| Significant Relationships | Aditya Roy Kapur (Brother-in-law, Actor), Kunaal Roy Kapur (Brother-in-law, Actor) |
Rise to Stardom
Vidya made her acting debut in the 1995 sitcom Hum Paanc1. She made her film debut by starring in the Bengali film Bhalo Theko in 2003. Her first Hindi film was the drama Parineeta in 2005, which was a commercial success.
This was followed by successful films like Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007).
Vidya Balan – Debut Film – Bhalo Theko (2003)
Vidya Balan – Successful Film – Munna Bhai (2003)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Vidya Balan is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award, seven Filmfare Awards, six Screen Awards, four International Indian Film Academy Awards, and five awards each from the Producers Guild and Zee Cine award ceremonies.
She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014. Vidya established herself by starring as headstrong women in five consecutive commercial successes, which also earned her critical and awards recognition.
These were in the drama Paa (2009), the black comedy Ishqiya (2010), the thrillers No One Killed Jessica (2011) and Kahaani (2012), and the biopic The Dirty Picture (2011).
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, producer |
| Debut Film | Bhalo Theko (2003, Bengali), Parineeta (2005, Hindi) |
| Notable Roles | Lalita in Parineeta, Vidya Bagchi in Kahaani, Silk in The Dirty Picture, Krishna in Ishqiya, Vidya Venkatesan Iyer in Paa |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Sherni (2021), Shakuntala Devi (2020), Mission Mangal (2019), Nerkonda Paarvai (2019, Tamil) |
| Upcoming Films | Goodbye, Sharmaji Namkeen |
| Popular Television Series | Hum Paanch (1995-2006), No More Kamzor (2014) |
| Awards and Achievements | National Film Award for Best Actress for The Dirty Picture and Tumhari Sulu, Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Paa, The Dirty Picture, Kahaani and Tumhari Sulu, Padma Shri Award in 2014 |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Nihar Naturals, Clinic Plus, Boroplus, Ranka Jewellers, Signature Blankets, Joyalukkas Jewellery |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Child Rights and You, Breakthrough India, Arpan Foundation, Habitat for Humanity India |
| Professional Associations | Indian Film and Television Producers Council |
| Training and Education | Masters degree in Sociology from University of Mumbai |
| Production Company | Born Free Entertainment |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Paa, The Dirty Picture, Kahaani |
| Critical Acclaim Movies (list) | Parineeta, Paa, Ishqiya, The Dirty Picture, Kahaani |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 210 Crore, $28 Million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 10 Crore, $1.3 Million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 2-3 Crore, $0.3-0.4 Million |
| Sponsorship Deals | Nihar Naturals, Clinic Plus, Boroplus, Ranka Jewellers, Signature Blankets, Joyalukkas Jewellery |
| Business Ventures | Born Free Entertainment (production company) |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | A sea facing flat in Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai, a bungalow in Khar, Mumbai, a flat in Chembur, Mumbai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | A collection of sarees, jewelry, paintings, and antiques |
| Cars Collection | A Mercedes E-Class, an Audi Q5 |
Favourite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan, Al Pacino, Morgan Freeman |
| Favorite Actress | Shabana Azmi, Madhuri Dixit, Kate Winslet, Julie Delphy |
| Favorite Film | Gol Maal (1979), Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004) |
| Favorite Music Bands | Indian Ocean, Coldplay |
| Favorite Sport | Badminton |
| Favorite Books | Brida by Paulo Coelho, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd |
| Favorite Color | Red |
| Favorite Food | Thai cuisine, homemade food |
| Things s/he like | Sarees, jewelry, paintings, antiques, animals |
| Things s/he dislike | Smoking, drinking, gossiping, body shaming |
Top 5 Best Films – Vidya Balan
| Film Name | Character Played |
|---|---|
| Film Name | Character Played |
| Kahaani | Vidya Bagchi |
| The Dirty Picture | Silk Smitha |
| Paa | Vidya |
| Ishqiya | Krishna Verma |
| Parineeta | Lalita |
Controversies – Vidya Balan
- Vidya Balan was initially linked to Saif Ali Khan, with whom she debuted in Bollywood with Parineeta.
- Later on, when Kismat Konnection came along, Vidya was rumoured to be dating the film’s hero – Shahid Kapoor.
- Barely two years into her marriage with Siddharth Roy Kapur, rumour mills were buzzing about trouble in their paradise.
- Pregnancy rumours have haunted the actress since a long time.
- In 2011, before the release of her movie “The Dirty Picture,” activists in South India objected and burned numerous banners of the film.
Interesting Facts – Vidya Balan
- Vidya Balan had to appear in over 40 screen tests and about 17 makeup shoots before making her big Bollywood debut in ‘Parineeta’.
- She completed her education from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai where she studied Sociology for her bachelor’s degree. She later did her Master’s in Sociology from the University of Mumbai.
- When not working, Vidya enjoys spending her time reading and is a huge admirer of Paulo Coelho.
- Vidya Balan had once admitted on a chat show that she used to often play cupid and set her friends up.
- The Jalsa actor wishes to play the legendary Charlie Chaplin on the big screen someday.
- Vidya Balan has an inclination towards cleanliness and she even has a record of suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder about everything around her being clean.
In conclusion, Vidya Balan is a powerhouse of talent who has made a significant impact in the Indian film industry with her strong and unconventional roles. Her journey is an inspiration for many aspiring actors and actresses.
She continues to charm her audience with her stellar performances and off-screen persona. Stay tuned for more updates on this versatile actress.
