Vidya Balan Was Replaced In Multiple Films; Recalls When Her Dressing Sense Became An Issue Of National Interest

Vidya Balan is one of the most gorgeous, sought-after and versatile actresses of the Indian film industry, who can beautifully portray any character given to her. May it be Reshma from The Dirty Picture, Sulochana of Tumhari Sulu or Shakuntala Devi in the mathematician’s biopic, Vidya has owned every single character she ever played. Well the actress did not get the fame or recognition as easily as many others do. In fact, she was rejected by many producers and was also replaced from many projects.

Remembering her early days when she tried to find work in the South film industry, Vidya told Mid-Day about the projects she was replaced in. Recalling one particular incident, the actress revealed, “There was another Tamil film in which I was replaced after the first schedule and I remember when I called the producer, he was sounding very wishy-washy. My poor parents, what have they been through, they actually flew with me to Chennai. We went to the producer's office and he said, 'Just look at her face, does she look like a heroine?' Six months after that, I didn't look into the mirror.”

Talking about her struggles in Mumbai, Vidya remembered, “I remember during Heyy Babyy, people said it's a witch hunt. I don't believe in these things. I feel I'm too inconsequential for someone to plan a witch-hunt. But whatever it is, at one point I felt my dressing sense had become an issue of national interest. There was nobody to tell me that today's newspaper is tomorrow's toilet paper. My parents were also getting affected, especially my mother.”

Vidya is not only incredibly talented and exceptionally versatile, but is also one of the most established actors of the Hindi film industry today. There’s a lot we can learn from her, don’t you think?