Vidya Balan Says She Seeks Substance and Empowerment in Bollywood Films

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan recently spoke about her journey in the film industry and her desire for more substantial roles.

Despite her earlier films being successful at the box office, Balan felt unsatisfied with playing the typical romantic interest opposite the male lead.

However, her perspective changed when she was offered the film "Ishqiya," where she portrayed a woman who owned her sexuality and exhibited strength.During the release event of a study on gender dynamics in the Hindi film industry, Balan expressed her dissatisfaction with the limited roles available to women.

The study revealed that male actors predominantly played the lead and co-lead roles in box office hits, while women were often relegated to the role of romantic interests.Balan highlighted the need for more diverse and layered characters for women.

In the film "Ishqiya," directed by Abhishek Chaubey, Balan played the character Krishna, a seductress with a scheming nature.Despite some discouragement from others who believed it wasnt a commercial film, Balan embraced the opportunity.

She appreciated the well-defined nature of her character and the depth of desire for revenge that Krishna possessed.Balan has been part of several critical and commercial successes such as "No One Killed Jessica," "The Dirty Picture" (which earned her a National Award), and "Kahaani.

" She acknowledged the positive change happening in the industry, with more writers crafting complex and empowered female characters.The SMCS-TISS report also shed light on the gendered portrayal of women in employment roles, with a higher presence in healthcare, education, entertainment, and journalism.

Balan mentioned her film "Mission Mangal" as an example, where her character, an ISRO scientist, is shown multitasking between domestic chores and her professional responsibilities, a reality that often falls on women.