Mumbai: Vidya Balan, a versatile powerhouse in Bollywood, has carved a niche for herself with roles ranging from Avni in Bhool Bhulaiyaa to Reshma in The Dirty Picture. In a recent conversation with The Indian Express, the actor opened up about male actors feeling uneasy about sharing the screen with her.
The star of Ishqiya disclosed that she has faced reluctance from male co-stars when it comes to working alongside her, despite her proven track record of delivering box-office hits. Vidya remarked, “Back in the day? (rolls eyes) I don’t think they’d be okay even today to star in a Vidya Balan film or a female-led film for that matter. It’s their loss, honestly because we are doing better films than they are”.
She further elaborated, “I genuinely believe that. They are doing more formula-based films; women-led films are far more exciting. Of course, people have been appreciative, but male stars are uncomfortable with women taking centre stage. I don’t think they would be okay with anyone stealing the thunder. But I never felt bad. I was like, if they are threatened, what can I do?”
In an earlier interview with the news agency PTI, Balan reminisced about meeting director Priyan for an ad shoot featuring Sunny Deol. She recalled, “I remember I went to meet Priyan, sir. He was shooting an ad with Sunny Deol in Mumbai, so he said, ‘Can you come to the set and meet me?’ I had watched the original Malayalam film ‘Manichitrathazhu’ as a kid, and I loved Shobana but I was also scared of her, and I’ve not watched the film ever again.”
She continued, “But, when he offered the film to me, I said, ‘Wow, are you offering me that film?’, and I said yes instantly. There was no script or anything because I had seen the original. It was probably the shortest meeting I had for a film, and that was the shortest time I took to say yes to a film because I loved the original.”
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About Vidya’s Upcoming Project:
Vidya is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Do Aur Do Pyaar. Directed by acclaimed ad filmmaker Shirsha Guha Thakurta, this romantic drama, which encapsulates a celebration of love, laughter, and the intricacies of contemporary relationships, is set to hit theatres on April 19th.
