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Vidya Balan

Indian film actress

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Vidya Balan is an Indian film actress known for her work in Hindi cinema. She is notable for taking on diverse and unconventional roles that have helped establish her as one of the prominent performers in the Indian film industry.

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Person · Open Library

Born: 1979-01-01
Works: 1

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Sherni

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Film & TV

Acting · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Vidya Balan (born January 1, 1978) is an Indian actress, who appears in Hindi films. After graduating with a degree in sociology, she started her career starring in music videos, television shows and commercials, before appearing in feature films. Balan made her movie debut in the Bengali film, Bhalo Theko in 2003. She later made her Hindi film debut with Parineeta (2005), which earned her a…

Known for

Raja Shivaji — Tajul Mukkhidarat Haji Badi Sahiba2026
Jailer 22026
Reimagining Sankranthiki Vasthunam2026
The Last Tenant2026
Do Aur Do Pyaar — Kavya2024
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — Mallika / Manjulika2024
The Great Indian Kapil Show — Self2024
Neeyat — Mira Rao2023

Article

Vidya Balan (pronounced [ʋɪd̪ːja baːlən]; born 1 January 1979) is an Indian actress. Known for pioneering a change in the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema with her roles in female-led films, she is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014. She was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join the Actors Branch in 2021.

Vidya aspired to a career in film from a young age and had her first acting role in the 1995 sitcom Hum Paanch. While pursuing a master's degree in sociology from the University of Mumbai, she made several unsuccessful attempts to start a career in film, and featured in television commercials and music videos. She made her film debut by starring in the Bengali film Bhalo Theko (2003) and received praise for her first Hindi film, the drama Parineeta (2005). This was followed by several commercial successes including Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), but her subsequent roles were met with negative reviews.