Before becoming one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed actresses, Vidya Balan faced significant hurdles, including demands to change her name and even undergo plastic surgery.
Early Career Hurdles and Setbacks
Vidya Balan’s journey into the film industry was far from smooth. Her highly anticipated debut alongside Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in “Chakram” was shelved after just a few days of filming. This unfortunate event cost her several other Malayalam projects she had signed.
Her attempts to enter the Tamil film industry also proved unsuccessful. Furthermore, a completed Malayalam film, “Kalari Vikraman,” remains unreleased to this day, leaving her spirits crushed during those early years.
The Name Change Demand
Among the many heartbreaks, one particularly stung: the pressure to drop her last name, ‘Balan.’ For an initial Malayalam project, she was asked to rename herself “Vidya Iyer,” using her community’s name.
Vidya recounted changing it and crying, but her parents reassured her she would always be Vidya Balan. Ultimately, that specific film didn’t go forward, sparing her from adopting a name against her will. This experience taught her to trust her instincts when something didn’t feel right.
Refusing a Nose Job for Parineeta
Even for her big Hindi film debut, “Parineeta” (2005), Vidya faced a shocking request. Renowned filmmaker and the film’s producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, suggested she get a nose job.
Vidya firmly refused the suggestion. She has always believed in maintaining her natural appearance, stating, “I’ve never had anything done to my face – just the odd facial. I’ve always believed in keeping my face the way God made it.”
Life After “Parineeta”
Even after “Parineeta” became a massive success and brought her widespread recognition, the pressures didn’t entirely vanish. Directors started calling, but often with ideas to “experiment” with her look. She found it frustrating when they wanted to make her look “younger and sexy” without understanding her essence as an actress.
Despite these challenges, Vidya Balan went on to achieve immense success, including winning a National Film Award for Best Actress for “The Dirty Picture” (2011). She was most recently seen in the horror comedy “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” (2024).
- Vidya Balan’s early career was marked by shelved projects and unreleased films.
- She refused to change her surname or undergo a nose job, prioritizing her authenticity.
- Her resilience and belief in herself ultimately paved the way for her success in Bollywood.
Vidya Balan’s journey stands as a testament to staying true to oneself amidst the demanding pressures of the entertainment industry.
