Photo: Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Vidya Balan is, to me, one of the most quietly revolutionary figures in modern Hindi cinema. While the industry often reduced actresses to decorative roles, she built a career on female-led films where the woman was the whole story, not the accessory. The shelf of National and Filmfare awards and the Padma Shri confirm what audiences already felt, that substance can carry a mainstream film. What I admire most is her refusal to chase conventional glamour, choosing instead complex, lived-in characters like the one in Kahaani. From Palakkad roots to the centre of Bollywood, she changed what a leading woman could be, and that legacy matters.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Vidya Balan
- Name (Japanese)
- ヴィディヤー・バーラン
- Reading
- ゔぃでぃやー・ばーらん
- Born
- January 1, 1979 (age 47)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Goat
- Origin
- Palakkad district, India
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 163 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- model / film actor / fashion model / television actor / actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- University of Mumbai
Awards & achievements
- Filmfare Awards
- National Film Award for Best Actress
- Padma Shri in arts
- BIG Star Entertainment Awards
- Screen Awards
- Zee Cine Awards
- Stardust Awards
- International Indian Film Academy Awards
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Hamari Adhuri Kahani | — | |
| Notable work | Tumhari Sulu | — | |
| Notable work | Urumi | — | |
| Notable work | Begum Jaan | — | |
| Notable work | Kahaani | — | |
| Notable work | Parineeta | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Vidya Balan born?
Born January 1, 1979 (age 47).
Where is Vidya Balan from?
Vidya Balan is from Palakkad district, India.
What does Vidya Balan do?
Vidya Balan works as model, film actor, fashion model, television actor, actor.
How tall is Vidya Balan?
Vidya Balan is 163 cm.
What is Vidya Balan known for?
Notable works include Hamari Adhuri Kahani, Tumhari Sulu, Urumi.
Model — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from India →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.