Actor Vidya Balan captivated an audience of women entrepreneurs with her infectious laughter and bold humor, sharing her journey in the film industry, her evolving relationship with her body, and her approach to financial management. The event, organized by FICCI FLO, the Ladies Organisation of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took place at the Taj West End.
Accompanied by a vivid display of handloom products from artisans across Karnataka, Vidya passionately spoke about her love for handloom saris and the importance of supporting India’s unique textiles. She emphasized on how saris allow women to express their most authentic selves.
“I almost always wear a sari to any event,” Vidya declared. “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.”
Vidya, known for her versatility in films of varied genres, said, “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, except Bhool Bhulaiyaa, which was the natural me,” she added with a smile, drawing hearty laughs from the audience.
In understanding her characters’ motivations, Vidya stated, “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.”
Despite her many successes, Vidya has faced her share of trials in the film industry. Recalling a particularly challenging time, she spoke about being branded a jinx in the Malayalam film industry and being replaced in 12 films. She struggled with body image issues and her confidence was deeply shaken.
“I had begun working in a Tamil film and after a few days of shooting, I was replaced. When my parents and I met 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 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.”
“The Dirty Picture,” where Vidya played Silk Smitha, marked a turning point in her relationship with her body.
. “That role made me comfortable with my 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 how you feel about yourself, and that is truly liberating.”
Vidya revealed that the movie transformed her as an actor and 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.”
Acknowledged as one of India’s highest-paid actors, Vidya also stressed the importance of financial literacy and shared the vital money lessons she learned over the years. “I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is, ‘Your money is your money, and my money is my money.’ I feel most women, even if they are top executives and leaders, don’t take financial decisions on their own. It’s important to not just earn but also 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.”
The session took a serious turn when a member of the audience brought up the Kolkata rape case and questioned Vidya on whether the portrayal of violence in films had a role in real-life violence. “I believe the opposite is true,” Vidya responded. “It is the real that inspires and impacts the reel. What we see around us is what is reflected on screen. There is nothing called originality — it all has to come from somewhere.”
Explaining further, Vidya mentioned that cinema has long been burdened with the responsibility of being the moral compass of society. “It isn’t so — only a small fraction of people consume even the biggest blockbusters. Javed Akhtar summed it up beautifully when he said it is actually society that corrupts films and not films that corrupt society.”
Despite expressing her sympathy for the victim and her family, Vidya admitted, “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.”
Published – September 10, 2024 08:56 pm IST
