Actress · Producer

Vidya Balan

Indian actress

Born January 1, 1979 · Bombay, Maharashtra, India

47 years old5′ 5″ (1.65 m)Active 1995–presentIndian

Biography

Vidya Balan is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi cinema and her performances in films featuring strong female characters. Born on 1 January 1979 in Bombay, Maharashtra, she developed an interest in acting at an early age. She studied sociology at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai and later completed postgraduate studies at the University of Mumbai.
Balan began her career in television with the sitcom Hum Paanch in 1995. Before entering mainstream Hindi cinema, she appeared in advertisements and music videos. She made her feature-film debut in the Bengali film Bhalo Theko (2003), followed by her Bollywood debut in Parineeta (2005). Her performance in the latter earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Her reputation grew through roles in films such as Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), Paa (2009), Ishqiya (2010), No One Killed Jessica (2011), The Dirty Picture (2011), and Kahaani (2012). Her portrayal of Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture brought her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She continued to appear in a range of projects, including Tumhari Sulu (2017), Mission Mangal (2019), Shakuntala Devi (2020), Sherni (2021), Jalsa (2022), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024).
In recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema, she received the Padma Shri in 2014. Balan married film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur in December 2012. Throughout her career, she has taken on varied roles in dramas, comedies, biographical films, and thrillers, establishing herself as a prominent performer in the Indian film industry.

Notable works

Hum Paanch1995Bhalo Theko2003Parineeta2005Lage Raho Munna Bhai2006Bhool Bhulaiyaa2007Paa2009Ishqiya2010No One Killed Jessica2011The Dirty Picture2011Kahaani2012Tumhari Sulu2017Mission Mangal2019Shakuntala Devi2020Sherni2021Jalsa2022Bhool Bhulaiyaa 32024

Awards & honours

71 wins and 112 nominations
Anandalok AwardBest Actress (Bengali) for Bhalo Theko — Winner — 2004
Anandalok AwardBest Actress (Hindi) for Bhool Bhulaiyaa — Winner — 2007
Filmfare AwardBest Female Debut for Parineeta — Winner — 2006
Filmfare AwardBest Actress for Paa — Winner — 2010
Filmfare AwardBest Actress (Critics) for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
Filmfare AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Filmfare AwardBest Actress for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
Filmfare AwardBest Actress for Tumhari Sulu — Winner — 2018
National Film AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
IIFA AwardBest Female Debut for Parineeta — Winner — 2006
IIFA AwardBest Actress for Paa — Winner — 2010
IIFA AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
IIFA AwardBest Actress for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
Screen AwardMost Promising Debut Actress for Parineeta — Winner — 2006
Screen AwardBest Actress for Paa — Winner — 2010
Screen AwardBest Actress for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
Screen AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Screen AwardBest Actress for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
Screen AwardBest Actress for Tumhari Sulu — Winner — 2018
Zee Cine AwardBest Female Debut for Parineeta — Winner — 2006
Zee Cine AwardBest Actress for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
Zee Cine AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Zee Cine AwardBest Actress for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
BIG Star Entertainment AwardMost Entertaining Film Actor (Female) for Ishqiya — Winner — 2010
BIG Star Entertainment AwardMost Entertaining Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2011
FICCI Frames Excellence HonourBest Actress in a Leading Role for Paa — Winner — 2010
FICCI Frames Excellence HonourBest Actress for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
FICCI Frames Excellence HonourBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Producers Guild Film AwardBest Actress for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
Producers Guild Film AwardBest Actress for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Producers Guild Film AwardBest Actress for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
Stardust AwardSuperstar of Tomorrow (Female) for Parineeta — Winner — 2006
Stardust AwardBest Actress in a Thriller or Action for Ishqiya — Winner — 2011
Stardust AwardBest Actress in a Drama for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Stardust AwardStar of the Year (Actress) for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012Star of the Year (Actress) for The Dirty Picture — Winner — 2012
Stardust AwardBest Actress in a Thriller or Action for Kahaani — Winner — 2013
Padma ShriCivilian Honour — Recipient — 2014
Prabha Khaitan PuraskarContribution to Women's Empowerment — Recipient — 2012
Raj Kapoor Special Contribution AwardContribution to Indian Cinema — Recipient — 2015