I have never tried to follow others’ footsteps: Vidya Balan
Discussing politics and voting, the actor who has enacted roles of strong women in films like Parineeta, Paa and Kahaani, said people must exercise their voting rights.
Veteran Bollywood actor, Vidya Balan, was in state capital on Friday to attend Hindustan Patna Dialogue, an interactive session held by Hindustan, the leading Hindi daily.
She was invited to interact with the Patnaites at a session, “Aao Raajneeti Karen, Ab Naaari Ki Barri”. While sharing her views about “Aaj Ki Naari Ke Haq Aur Hukuk Ka Sawaal, at the event, the Parineeta and Kahaani fame actor discussed a variety of topics and issues, ranging from women empowerment and women’s rights and marriage to politics and voting. Not just that the actor also talked about female actors in Bollywood, their career and image.
While discussing her career in Bollywood, Balan who has won National Film Award for best actress for ‘The Dirty Picture’ and Best Female debut, Filmfare for ‘Parineeta’, said she had worked hard to reach to this position in the Hindi film industry.
“Whatever I am today is because of my passion and dedication for acting. But all this would not have been possible without the support of my family. They have always remained my biggest support,” she said. “I have never tried to imitate others or to follow other’s footsteps”, she added.
“I always listen to my heart. Even when I was planning marriage, people said it was a wrong decision and that it would end my career,” she said.
In Bollywood the common perception is that actors often lose charm after the marriage. “I proved it wrong. Instead of paying attention to all the suggestion, I got married and even my films evoked a good response after marriage,” she said.
Not just that she also broke the stereotype image of female actors in Bollywood. “ In the Hindi industry female actors are expected to have hourglass figure. But I have managed to shatter this image and have been able to change this impression,” she said.
Actor said she has been bulky since her school days. “Even during my school days people used to suggest me to lose weight. When I joined Hindi film industry, people made scathing comments over my figure. Everybody suggested me to go for fitness regimen to lose weight. But I never bothered. I have always been comfortable with my figure and body. The best part is my films have also done well at the box office and have remained a huge hit,” she said.
The actor said women should believe in themselves and should be confident enough to deal with the criticisms. “Women must have their own choice and should also have the courage to face the society,” she said.
Discussing politics and voting, the actor who has enacted roles of strong women in films like Parineeta, Paa and Kahaani, said people must exercise their voting rights. “If you have a preference for a particular kind of society, you must go to the polling booth to select candidate of your choice during elections,”she said.
Balan said she believed voting rights must be exercised. “ But I do not intend to join politics. I have no such plans,” she said.
