Vidya Balan: Fascinated by Madhuri Dixit, inspired by Shabana Azmi

Vidya started her career at an early age of sixteen. She got her first break in the sitcom Hum Paanch (1995) and after a decade she went on to do big films like; Parineeta (2005), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012). So far the actress has shown her versatility pretty well. She has done films of various genres; comedy, romance and was also a part of semi-biographical thriller No One Killed Jessica (2011).

The South Indian beauty always wanted to be an actress. When Vidya was in school, she started weaving thoughts to be a successful artist in the film industry. She quoted, “Ever since I was in school I wanted to be an actress because I want to be in other people`s shoes. I empathise a lot with people.” The 35-year-old actress took inspiration from Madhuri and was enthralled by Shabana Azmi’s performance in Arth (1982). She said, “Not only me but every girl in India at that time wanted to be Madhuri.”

The actress also wanted to work with the genius filmmaker Satyajit Ray. Balan said that she also wrote Ray a letter when she was quite young. She said, “He was not keeping well then. I wrote to him saying please get well soon and I would love to work with you in your film.” Unfortunately, Vidya missed out to work with the veteran as Ray passed away in 1992. At present, Vidya is filming for Shaadi Ke Side Effects, where she will be seen opposite Farhan Akhtar.