On a personal note: Actor Vidya Balan -Governance Now

On a personal note: Actor Vidya Balan

Geetanjali Minhas | October 9, 2015

#vidya balan personal note #vidya balan

Setting a new trend of the portrayal of a strong female protagonist in Hindi films, Vidya Balan has won various awards including one national award, five Filmfare, five Screen awards and the Padma Shri in 2014. Journeying from TV serial Hum Paanch to critically acclaimed films like Dirty Picture and Kahaani, Vidya has established herself as a leading actor of Bollywood. Besides acting, Vidya promotes humanitarian causes including environment, child nutrition and education and women empowerment. In 2012, she teamed up with the then union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh as the brand ambassador for promoting hygiene and sanitation and is endorsing the government’s initiative of eradicating open defecation. She appears in radio and television advertisements in which she encourages villagers to build and use toilets in their homes.

If not an actor: I would be an aspiring actor

Best thing about being a film star: is that people are welcoming whenever and wherever you go

A movie role I enjoyed playing: Every character actually... But if I have to pick one, it is Krishna in Ishqiya

A role I long to play: A Woody Allen heroine

A memorable moment I cannot forget: My first best actor award speech

The defining moment in my life: Too many… the birth of my sister’s twins… the moment I realised Siddharth is the one for me.

The last book I read: Diane Keaton’s autobiography, Then Again

My favourite pastime: Watching movies

My comfort food: Home-cooked South Indian food

My most fulfilling moment: Comes at the end of a good work/shoot day

Conserving resources is important because: We have no choice, honestly

Things I could change to make my country better: Stop complaining and start contributing to make India of our dreams

My conviction for supporting social and humanitarian causes I take up comes from: Wanting to do my bit

Follow instincts or follow convention: Instinct always

Best decision of my life so far: To follow my instinct and be an actor

My strength comes from: My family

My weakness: Self-dependence

What is real Vidya Balan like: I am still figuring...

At present I am busy with: Playing Geeta Bali for a Marathi biopic on Bhagwan Dada

(The interview appears in the October 1-15, 2015 issue)

Comments

Other News

Budget 2025: Meeting the expectations of youth and middle class

The new year brings with it a mix of hope and expectations, especially among the youth and middle class who have placed their trust in the Narendra Modi government. The upcoming Union Budget is being eagerly awaited by these two groups in particular, in the hope it addresses the very real concerns of a gen

This book on Gujaratis is like a sumptuous ‘thaali’…

The Gujaratis: A Portrait of a Community By Salil Tripathi Aleph Books, 744 pages, Rs 1,499 “As the l

At Davos, Maharashtra inks MoUs worth Rs 15.70 lakh crore

The Maharashtra government has signed 54 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs. 15.70 lakh crore at the ongoing WOrld Economic Forum in Davos. The highest ever investment proposals of the state government are expected to generate 15.95 lakh jobs. The largest MoU was inked with Relianc

How Renewable Energy revolution is sweeping across India

As India accelerates its transition towards a sustainable future, its renewable energy (RE) sector has witnessed unprecedented growth. In 2024, the country made significant strides in solar and wind energy installations, policy advancements, and infrastructural improvements, setting the stage for ambitious

Celebrating ten years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The ministry of women and child development is set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign, marking a decade of relentless efforts to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India. This milestone aligns with the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047 and the global

Bhashini provides translation support at this great congregation of languages

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MietY) has offered technological support at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj being held from January 13 to February 26, 2025 with the integration of Bhashini for multilingual accessibility. ‘Digital Lost & Found Solution&rs