EXCLUSIVE: Vidya Balan on women-centric films: Men didn’t have to hustle to make their films work

Actor Vidya Balan has worked in more female-led films than in movies with a hero. Vidya has delivered stellar performances in movies like Jalsa, Sherni, Shakuntala Devi, Kahaani, Begum Jaan, Tumhari Sulu and Kahaani 2. Despite headlining so many women-led movies, Vidya said people are conservative towards such films. During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Vidya revealed the struggles that women-centric film face.

Vidya Balan on women-centric movies

When asked if there’s more respect and adulation regarding women-centric movies. She said, “I think it feels wonderful that I’ve had the opportunity to do the work. I received so much love and success and all that. Yes, there are ups and downs and yes it irritates me. Now post pandemic, when films are not doing that well, people say that ‘oh, films are not working and the budgets for women-centric films are also cutting down.’ They’re very conservative when it comes to women-centric films.”

Vidya-Balan-2

Choose Filters

Normal

1977

Crema

Ludwig

Moon

Willow

“We had just about reached a certain position and I feel like we’ve taken a few steps back. But then I tell myself that when you’re in a race, you always take one step back to gain momentum, so it’s okay if it’s a step back. It’s a step back but we will keep moving forward and someday there will be an equal number of female-led films that will be made that will do well. And at some point, there will be no distinction. There is time for that but at least we are on our way there,” Vidya added.

Vidya Balan on exploring new genres

The Shakuntala Devi actor said that men don’t have to struggle so much with their work as women do. She further said, “Because I think the female-led films have more exciting content and I’m not disparaging a male actor or the work they’re doing. But the fact is that they are in a space where they’ve not had to hustle to make their films work. It’s almost like a default setting. It’s new for us, our kind of films are new for us. We are exploring various genres for the first time. We’re exploring different not exploring, but we’re telling stories of different kinds of women. So, it makes for that much more exciting content.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vidya Balan (@balanvidya)

When asked if specific rules have been reduced to a particular gender like there are few female detectives. Vidya added, “I’m lucky that I got to play Bobby Jasoos then and now I’m getting to play Mira Rao. Also, previously we only had male detectives, but now over the years, the world over you have had female detectives. Over the past, I think a couple of decades and that’s why you’re seeing it on screen. I think whatever happens off-screen is what will get shown on screen so we need more female detectives.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Abundantia Entertainment (@abundantiaent)

Vidya Balan will be next in Neeyat movie which is scheduled to release on July 7.

Watch Vidya Balan in this interview

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Vidya Balan REVEALS she ‘hated’ her physique: I realised I’m abusing, I’m angry with the body