Vidya Balan

Early Life & Education

Vidya Balan was born on January 1, 1979 in Mumbai, to P. R. Balan (a cable network executive) and Saraswathy Balan. Raised in a Tamil Brahmin household, she completed school at St. Anthony’s Girls High School before earning a BA and MA in Sociology from the University of Mumbai. She began her acting journey in the TV sitcom Hum Paanch and later graduated to lead roles in cinema.

Career Highlights

She made her film debut in the Bengali drama Bhalo Theko (2003) and then captured widespread acclaim with Parineeta (2005), followed by hits like Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). Her portrayal of Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture (2011) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress and was a turning point in her career. She continued her streak with groundbreaking female-centric roles in Paa, Ishqiya, No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani, Tumhari Sulu, and Mission Mangal, balancing critical depth with commercial success. Her Amazon Prime releases—Shakuntala Devi (2020), Sherni (2021), and Jalsa (2022)—reinforced her ability to carry socially relevant narratives.

Vidya is selective about her work, choosing impactful roles over quantity. She voiced interest in playing a therapist in a global project tentatively titled Adolescence and considers The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, and Tumhari Sulu as her favorite roles to date.

Works

Films & TV (comma-separated): Hum Paanch (TV), Bhalo Theko, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Guru, Salaam‑e‑Ishq, Eklavya, Halla Bol, Kismat Konnection, Paa, Ishqiya, No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, Dum Maaro Dum, Thank You, Ghanchakkar, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, Hamari Adhuri Kahaani, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Bobby Jasoos, Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh, Te3n, Begum Jaan, Tumhari Sulu, Begum Jaan, Mission Mangal, Shakuntala Devi, Sherni, Jalsa, Neeyat, Do Aur Do Pyaar, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.

Net Worth & Endorsements

Her net worth is estimated at ₹136 crore (~$18 million)—she charges ₹2‑3 crore per film and around ₹1 crore per major brand endorsement. She owns real estate in Mumbai (valued around ₹8‑10 crore) and drives luxury cars like Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class, E‑Class, and GLC 300. She has endorsed brands such as Tata Tea, Santoor, Muthoot, Boroline, TTk Prestige, and more.

Awards & Recognition

She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for The Dirty Picture, and has won multiple Filmfare Awards. Honored with the Padma Shri in 2014, she also earned a Laurence Olivier citation, and continues to be celebrated for championing women-led narratives in cinema.

Personal Life & Philanthropy

Vidya married Siddharth Roy Kapur in December 2012. Known for her advocacy in women’s empowerment and body positivity, she participates in campaigns for mental health and environmental awareness. She has supported causes like Earth Hour, survivor support initiatives, and educational programs for girls.

Trivia & Fun Facts

• Started her career on TV at age 16 in Hum Paanch.
• Holds a sociology master’s degree.
• First female actress to anchor Amazon Prime’s Sherni.
• Known as a fashion icon, especially for her saree styling at premieres.
• Earned the youngest Prabha Khaitan Puraskar for women empowerment in 2012.

Upcoming Projects

She is currently promoting Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024). Interested in global cinema, she’s in development for a therapeutic role in the project Adolescence and continues to explore characters with depth and societal relevance.