Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Actress Vidya Balan recently visited Indore and was captivated by the city's cleanliness, warmth and vibrant energy. She expressed her admiration for the delicious street food and the rich cultural heritage that Indore proudly upholds. The city provided the perfect setting for Vidya’s insightful conversation about her journey struggles, societal norms and empowerment.
When asked about the struggles in her early career Vidya emphasised that she never saw it as a struggle but as part of the journey. Coming from a South Indian family she was raised to believe that patience was key and she never considered giving up despite facing rejections.
She credited her strong family support for keeping her spirits high during tough times. Vidya revealed that visiting a Sai Baba temple in Jaipur helped her stay hopeful and she held onto her belief that success was imminent.
Discussing double standards in Bollywood and society, Vidya pointed out how strong women are celebrated on screen but not always respected in real life. She stressed that these issues stem from societal conditioning and hoped that greater awareness would lead to women supporting one another rather than competing.
On female-led films she acknowledged the importance of the term today. Historically films were centred around male heroes so recognising female-led films is essential. However, she believes that once equal representation is achieved such distinctions will no longer be necessary.
The actress also addressed empowerment stating that it is not just about stepping out but having the power to decide one’s path. Reflecting on her role in The Dirty Picture she admired Silk’s courage in living life on her terms stating that true empowerment lies in making one's own choices even in adversity.
She humorously addressed the industry's obsession with body image. She shared how people constantly suggested diet plans but she chose to embrace herself unapologetically. Ending on a light note she discussed her love for social media and humour showing a side of her personality that fans adore.
