As Bollywood actress Vidya Balan gears up for the release of her upcoming film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, she candidly shares insights from her journey in the film industry, including the challenges she faced early in her career. In a recent interview with Galatta India, Vidya opened up about a painful experience where she was replaced in a Tamil film just two days into shooting.
Recounting the incident, Vidya described how she had shot for a Tamil movie for only two days before being replaced. Seeking clarity, she and her parents visited the producer in Chennai, where they faced harsh criticism. “He showed us some clips from the film and said to my parents, ‘Dekho, kisi angle se heroine dikhti hai (Does she look like a heroine from any angle)? She doesn’t know how to act or dance,’” Vidya recalled. “I was thinking, first let me act and dance; I hardly shot for the film.”
The experience left a lasting impact on her self-esteem. “For six months, I didn’t look at myself in the mirror because I felt ugly,” she admitted. Vidya emphasised the importance of kindness in the industry, stating, “If you want to reject someone, do that, but always be kind with your words because words have the power to be really very damaging or nurturing. I will never forget that. It was an early lesson in life to be kind to people because he really destroyed my self-image for six months.”
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Vidya Balan began her acting career in 1995 with the television show Hum Paanch and made her film debut in 2003 with the Bengali movie Bhalo Theko. She gained widespread recognition with her role in Parineeta, sharing the screen with Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt. Her subsequent performances in films like The Dirty Picture—which earned her a National Film Award—and Kahaani solidified her status as a leading actress in Indian cinema.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, directed by Anees Bazmee, also features notable stars Madhuri Dixit and Kartik Aaryan, who reprises his role as Rooh Baba. The horror-comedy film is set to hit theatres this Diwali, and Vidya’s enthusiastic promotions reflect her resilience and growth as an actress. As she navigates the complexities of her career, Vidya Balan continues to inspire many with her honesty and determination.