After bagging the IIFA award for the best male/female debut category, newcomers Shiney Ahuja and Vidya Balan are gearing up to showcase their talent together onscreen. They are teaming up for Priyadarshan’s next ‘Untitled’ film, which also has Akshay Kumar. The film is a remake of the super hit Tamil film CHANDRAMUKHI and will be produced by T-series. Shiney and Vidya play a couple hailing from a royal family set in Rajasthan. Vidya plays a Kathak dancer with a split personality disorder. The film rolls next year. Incidentally she is a trained classical dancer in real life. Reportedly Vidya had turned down Sudhir Mishra’s BAHUT NIKLE MERE ARMAAN with Shiney Ahuja earlier.

Vidya Balan is a Tamilian from Kerala. She is from the Iyer community. She comes from a middleclass family from Palghat, on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Vidya did her schooling from St Antony’s School and later on joined St Xavier’s College from where she graduated in sociology.

When she was doing her MA from Mumbai University, she was offered a role in a Malayalam film titled Chakram with Mohanlal, one of Vidya’s favorite actors. However, the project was shelved mid-way and Vidya had to wait for few more years to make her movie debut.

She made her debut as a model in a Surf Excel advertisement in 1998. She has acted in scores of ad films, most of which were directed by Pradeep Sarkar.

A couple of months later, she featured in three music videos (again directed by Sarkar) for ‘Euphoria’, Shubha Mudgal and Pankaj Udhas.

Vidya Balan started work as an actress in the Malayalam movie Chakram, paired against Mohanlal, however the film was abandoned mid-way through production. After making her debut in television advertising as a model for a Surf Excel advertisement in 1998, she proceeded to do over 25 TV ads, (mostly directed by Pradeep Sarkar), followed with a variety of acting stints in music videos (Euphoria, Shubha Mudgal and Pankaj Udhas), Hindi TV soap operas (Hanste Khelte and Hum Paanch) and a Bengali movie, Bhaalo Theko, for which she won the Best Actress Anand Lok Puraskar award in Kolkata. Hanste Khelte and Ektaa Kapoor’s Hum Paanch.

In the meantime, she acted in Bengali movie Bhalo Theko with actor Joy Sengupta. She even won the ‘best actress’ Anand Lok Puraskar in Kolkata for her performance in the movie.

It was in Mumbai, during a pop concert, when filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra approached her to play the female lead in his movie Parineeta, to be directed by Pradeep Sarkar.

Vidya had to go through 40 screen tests and 17 make-up shoots before she was finally chosen for the lead role in the film.

Vidya has a very traditional Indian look in contrast to most of today’s Bollywood starlets. She is associated with AmFar (Americans for AIDS Research) and Hale House, a home for children born with HIV and those affected by Drug Addiction. She also involves herself with the Harvard AIDS Institute, by Hosting Forums and participating in events throughout the year. No wonder that Vidya Balan is one of the most talked about names in Bollywood today.

Date of Birth

1 January 1978, Palghat, Kerala, India
Birth Name

Vidya P. Balan
Height

5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
Mini Biography

Vidya was born in the Tamil-speaking Balan family on January 1, 1978 in Palghat, Kerala, India. Her family consists of her dad, P.R. Balan, who is the Vice-President of ETC Channel; mom – a home-maker, and an elder sister, Priya, who is married to Kedar. She also has an aunt by the name of Raji Raju. The Balan family re-located to live at Road No. 11, near Ambedkar Garden, Chembur, Bombay, when Vidya was very young. She studied in St. Anthony’s Convent School, and thereafter in St. Xavier’s College from where she obtained a degree in Sociology. She then went on to obtain a Masters degree in Sociology from Bombay University. She also studied and performed in Prithvi Theaters’ workshops. Due to tradition of most Tamil-Iyer families, Vidya and her Priya learned Carnatic dance form during their early childhood days, but Vidya opted out as the dance classes took place early on Sunday mornings and as she is not an early riser.

Considerably overweight during her school-days, she decided to shed those extra pounds when she elected to opt for modeling and movies. Her first break came with a Malyalam movie ‘Chakram’ opposite Mohanlal, however,the project was shelved, and she had to wait until 1998 to debut in a Surf Excel commercial. She then went on to appear in several commercials directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She also appeared in three music videos for Pankaj Udhas, Euphoria, and Shubha Mudgal in supporting roles. She then also appeared in two TV serials Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Hum Paanch’, and Ashok Pandit’s ‘Hanste Khelte’.

During 2003 she was signed-up to play a role in a Bengali movie ‘Bhaalo Theko’ opposite Joy Sengupta. This project was completed during the year 2006, and was a considerable hit.

Then during 2006 Vidya was approached by Vidhu Vinod Chopra during a pop-concert in Mumbai to play a lead role in ‘Parineeta’. She then had to undergo 17 make-up shoots and 40 screen tests before being chosen for this role. All this hard work did result in success as ‘Parineeta’ was very well received so much so that the Tamil producer, who had previously rejected her, invited her to appear in a ‘Dasavatharam’ opposite Kamal Hassan, and now it was Vidya’s turn to reject this offer which eventually went to Asin.

Apart from acting, Vidya occupies herself for supporting education for young Indians by promoting children’s books; is associated with Americans for Aids Research; with Hale House – that provides support and housing for children born with HIV and drug abuse; as well as hosting forums and attending events for Harvard Aids Institute.

An ardent devotee of Bhagwan Shri Sai Baba, she makes it a point to attend Mandirs every Thursday. She is proficient in Tamil, Malyalam, Hindi, English, Bengali, and can also read Urdu.

IMDb Mini Biography By: rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)
Trivia

A Tamilian from Kerala, she hails from the Iyer community in Palghat, on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Did her schooling from St. Antony’s School and later on at St. Xavier’s College where she graduated in Sociology. She soon started work on her MA from Mumbai University when she was offered a role in a Malayalam film starring Mohanlal, but it was later shelved due to issues with the director.

Speaks English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil. After filming Parineeta (2005), can also speak Bengali quite well.

Listed as number 8 of ‘Top Bollywood Actresses’ of 2006. (rediff.com, 8-25-2006)

Personal Quotes

“Neither of my first two Malayalam films got completed, and I walked out of the third, a Tamil film, because I was not comfortable. I was replaced in another Tamil film with the excuse that I could not act. They made me feel ugly to the point where I was scared to look in the mirror. In retrospect I thank God, and by God’s grace

Vidya Balan

In this photo vidya’s beauty more polished and this photo many time

downlaod for wallpaper, vidya balan do more effort to achive her goal

in film industry as she tell in a tv show.

Here is a cover of Stardust magazine’s July 2008 edition. The cover features the romantic couple of Kismet Konnection, Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan. The cover reads… The Connection : The Shaahid-Vidya Love Story. The magazine also features special articles on Harman Baweja and Shahrukh Khan.

Vdya Balan

In this Shot Vidya BAlan with glasses which is so popular in media

Vidya Balan has good job in her film Munna Bhai MBBS 2nd from this movie

she won the hearts of whom who’s are fans of Sanjay Dutt.

Vidya Balan is shooting with Arshad Warsi in Wai. Being with Arshad comes as a relief for Vidya. “Vidya is happy that this time the media will not be able to link her with her costar. Arshad is a friend! Also he is married with two kids. So she is glad that she will be spared link ups this time,” a source said. Vidya was earlier linked with Shahid Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham. That’s practically every other co star she has worked with. No wonder, Vidya is fed up!

While in Wai, Vidya Balan is having a wonderful time shooting there. But unlike other actresses who like to remain holed up in their vans in between shoots, Vidya loves spending time with nature. A unit member revealed, “Vidya loves to be in a natural environment. She enjoys nature walks in between shots. She’d rather sit in the greenery and soak in its beauty than be stuck in the van. Vidya finds the entire experience to be meditative and absolutely soothing.” Even when not shooting, Vidya doesn’t idle away her time! “Vidya goes for these long walks on the roads of Wai. So if you spot someone in tracksuits with an ipod and speakers hooked into her ears, walking away briskly, you know who it is,” laughs the unit member. Viday’s staff does accompany for her brisk walks. “We cannot take any risks. What if she gets mobbed,” says a staff member. Vidya believes that natural environment is the best environment.

Hope Vidya gets more opportunity having married co–stars and natural environment to spend time with nature.

Apparently Harman Baweja is keen on doing a full-on action film.

Looks like after the ‘Love Story 2050′ debacle this guy is getting desperate to prove himself!

So much so that he says he’s become extra choosy. He calls this year and ‘Love Story 2050′ a big learning experience.  Copying Hrithik Roshan a lot didn’t really help his case much anyway.

He’s said, “I’m back in Mumbai after a very long time. I’ve been shooting for my two films ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Victory’ in various parts of the world. I’ve learnt to loosen up. I don’t feel that tension of having to deliver my first film. Now I’m far more relaxed. I’ve almost completed two films.”

Next up for him is Ashutosh Gowarikar’s ‘What’s Your Raashi’ and the Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production ‘Chenab Gandhi’ with Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan.

He’s added, “That’s it. I haven’t signed any more films. All I have agreed to is a film for my father at the end of next year. No other script has me kicked. I’d like to do a young action film.”

We really wonder if he would copy the charismatic Hrithik Roshan even more to achieve his goals!

Filmography
Forthcoming Movies Years
Mukti 2008
Previously Released Movies Years
Kismet Konnection 2008
Halla Bol 2008
Dus Kahaniyaan 2007
Bhool Bhulaiya 2007
Heyy Babyy 2007
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom 2007
Guru 2007
Salaam-E-Ishq 2007
Eklavya 2007
Lage Raho Munna Bhai 2006
Parineeta 2005
Bhalo Theko 2003

Vidya Balan is presently taking tuitions in a particular UP dialect for her upcoming film, ISHKIYAAN, which is being produced by Vishal Bharadwaj and directed by his assistant director Abhishek Chaubey.

Vishal and Abhishek who have written the script of ISHKIYAAN has the same dialect that one saw (heard) in Vishal’s OMKARA (2006). When the script was narrated to Vidya first, she expressed her inability to deliver the lines fluently in that chaste UP dialect. Apparently the actress’ mother tongue is South Indian and though she speaks Hindi well, she is not so comfortable speaking the rural UP lingo. Vishal and Vidya then mutually agreed upon having a special tutor for her to learn the dialect and get well–versed with the perfect tone of delivering it.

One can remember Konkona Sen Sharma (being a Bengali) too having the same problem of delivering her lines in the required UP dialect during OMKARA. Vishal had then himself tutored her for few days and gave her confidence. The film turn out as a major hit and Konkona went on to win a National Award for her character in OMKARA. Looks like Vidya might just do that!

Producer Vishal Bharadwaj’s ISHKIYAAN stars Vidya opposite Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah. Vidya’s character in the film has few gray shades and she is supposed to fool the uncle–nephew duo of Naseer and Arshad in it.

The film shoot begins from mid October and will be majorly shot in the parts of eastern UP and Delhi. Vidya is expected to master her command over the dialect by then.