Photo: Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on January 1, 1979 in Palakkad district, India, Vidya Balan is a film actor, fashion model and television actor. Vidya Balan is 47 years old as of 2026. Education on record includes University of Mumbai. Listed accolades include Filmfare Awards, National Film Award for Best Actress, Padma Shri in arts and 5 more. The listed height is 163 cm.
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.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
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)
- Origin
- Palakkad district, India
- Height
- 163 cm
- Occupation
- model / film actor / fashion model / television actor / actor
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Goat
2. Background
- 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. Works & records
Filmography / notable works
| Category | Title |
|---|---|
| Notable work | Hamari Adhuri Kahani |
| Notable work | Tumhari Sulu |
| Notable work | Urumi |
| Notable work | Begum Jaan |
| Notable work | Kahaani |
| Notable work | Parineeta |
4. Links
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/balanvidya/
- Xhttps://x.com/vidya_balan
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidya%20Balan
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%A4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159166
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Vidya Balan born?
Vidya Balan was born on January 1, 1979 and is 47 years old.
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 tall.
Where did Vidya Balan study?
Vidya Balan attended University of Mumbai.
What is Vidya Balan known for?
Vidya Balan's notable works include Hamari Adhuri Kahani, Tumhari Sulu, Urumi.
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