I began to feel invincible: Vidya Balan

About this Video

• Video Title: I began to feel invincible: Vidya Balan
• Channel: Forbes India
• Speakers: Vidya Balan, Kunal (Interviewer name is not explicitly stated, but inferred from the transcript)
• Duration: 00:23:29

Introduction

This Forbes India interview features Vidya Balan reflecting on her two-decade career in the Hindi film industry. The conversation covers her early career choices, navigating initial setbacks, achieving phenomenal success, dealing with criticism, and her perspective on the evolving landscape of women-led films in Bollywood.

Key Takeaways

• Early Career Choices & Setbacks: Vidya Balan recounts her early aspirations to become an actor at the age of 8.5 and discusses her decision to prioritize education before fully pursuing her acting career, including turning down significant television opportunities. She also details the challenges faced after a shelved debut film in the South Indian film industry.
• Phenomenal Success & Invincibility: Vidya Balan's success with films like The Dirty Picture led to a period where she felt invincible, acknowledging the temporary nature of such feelings.
• Handling Criticism & Personal Struggles: She openly discusses facing criticism regarding her weight and fashion choices, attributing some of these struggles to personal health issues and the pressure of constantly striving for success.
• Evolution of Women-Led Films: Vidya Balan reflects on the changes and challenges within the industry regarding women-led films, noting the shift towards OTT platforms and the need for continued growth in this area. She mentions several actresses who have shaped the landscape of female-driven narratives.
• Lessons Learned: The most significant lesson Vidya Balan learned is the impermanence of everything—good times, bad times, success, and failure— emphasizing the importance of appreciating the present moment.