THIS INDUSTRY HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO SAY NO: VIDYA
From Parineeta to Begum Jaan, as Balan completes 12 years in Bollywood, she says her journey has been ‘an extremely valuable one’
The co-incidence couldn’t have been more perfect. In 2017, Hindustan Times completes 12 years in Mumbai, and in the same year, Vidya Balan — with the exact difference being just a few days — too turns 12 years old in Bollywood after making her debut with Parineeta (2005). So, to mark HT’s anniversary, who better than the Kahaani (2012) actor to talk about how things have changed in Hindi films and in her professional sphere in the last decade or so?
How do you look back at the past 12 years in the film industry?
It has been wonderful 12 years, and I can say the same for Hindustan Times as well as me. We both are about to enter our teens (laughs). I couldn’t have prayed for or hoped for a better journey. There have been ups-and-downs but it’s been better than I could have ever imagined. I’ve had the opportunity to play some wonderful parts and live vicariously through my roles. I have been a part of great films, and have seen a lot of success as well as failures, but they also taught me a lot. If I have to explain this journey in one word, it has been extremely valuable, to say the least. It’s been priceless too.
How have you evolved as a person and as an actor during this period?
Over the years, of course, there have been lots of changes but maybe, I was more cautious before. At least in my case, the more I worked, the more success I tasted, and the more acceptance I received, it gave me more impetus to be authentic, be myself and be comfortable with who I am. Also, I have no problems in saying that this industry or just being an actor has taught me how to say ‘no’. Being an actor it’s very difficult to say no to a film or any sort of request because sometimes, everyone wants a part of you. Also, I enjoy my fame, and have no issues with things like lack of privacy because I dictate how much I share with the world. I draw those lines.
According to you, what has been the big highlight in the past 12 years?
For me, the big highlight has been the emergence of the female hero. And the fact is that it’s no longer a ‘phase.’ In the past too, we have had strong female characters in the ’50s, which was the golden period, and then there was the ’90s when you had Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit ruling the roost. While the ’50s invariably had strong women characters such as mothers or the wives but in the ’90s, within the construct of a commercial set-up, Sridevi and Madhuri did films such as ChaalBaaz (1989) and Beta (1992) etc., wherein they were the heroes. That was followed by a lull, but now, we are again seeing women as individuals and that’s great. Female centric films are more exciting in terms of content, construct and treatment. And maybe it’s because we haven’t arrived at a formula yet. In that sense, this is the most exciting period.
Female centric films are more exciting in terms of content, construct and treatment. VIDYA BALAN, ACTOR
The industry is becoming increasingly professional. We all take our work extremely seriously. As for women-centric films, I can comfortably state that after having been a part of all these films, what has really changed is that women are now being humanised in films. The female characters have become human. So, you aren’t just glorifying or vilifying them and not seeing them in the context of men in their lives. That’s also a given because ultimately, we all co-exist in the society. So, men need women and vice versa. But in films, you are also seeing women for their desires, fears and ambitions. And that’s very interesting.
Is that the reason why diverse stories about women are coming up now?
Yes, that’s why there are so many interesting stories –– of triumph and success –– revolving around women. And, that’s why heroines, or if you want to call her the female hero, become extremely exciting to watch. If women are shown only as either ‘devi (goddess)’ or ‘daayan (witch)’, it will be boring for me too. I want to see her with her frailties, limitations, flaws and strengths. I want to see her as one of us. So, all these stories are so relatable. When I watch Mom in which Sridevi, who has been acting for 50 years, is driving the film, it tells me that things are changing. So, it’s a wonderful phase and things are only getting better.
On a personal level, what has been the big highlight?
When I started out 12 years ago, you couldn’t have imagined a married actress, who is also working full-time. But I am an example of that. And, twelve years later too, I hope that I will be working and doing really exciting roles besides getting awards, money and everything else (laughs).