‘I Am Shamelessly Optimistic’: Vidya Balan Embraces Life Off-Camera, Shuts Down Insecurity

Vidya Balan opens up about stepping back from the screen, prioritising peace over pressure, and why she’s never let industry insecurities shake her self-belief.

Vidya Balan was last seen in 2024 mega-hit 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'.

Source : Instagram/@balanvidya

In an industry where being seen often equates to staying relevant, Vidya Balan is rewriting the rules and doing it on her own terms. In a heartfelt and honest conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the celebrated actor revealed that she’s deliberately stepping away from the limelight, and for once, is relishing the quiet.

Known for challenging norms both onscreen and off, Vidya shared that she’s currently enjoying a rare pause in her career without an ounce of fear or insecurity. When asked if disappearing from the public eye ever unsettles her, she responded, “I think I am shamelessly optimistic. I have so much self-belief. I have put myself out there at my biggest and not batted an eyelid."

She added, "I’ve had people tell me I should work on myself, that I should shed weight. But I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me. And I think that is a great attitude because it helped me sail through. I was still playing the lead, so I don't think those kinds of insecurities have ever weighed me down."

Vidya Balan's Stress-Free Hiatus

For the first time, Vidya is relishing a stress-free chapter. “For the first time in my life, I am not experiencing stress. Knowingly or unknowingly, we go through a lot of stress. I am enjoying this period. I am reading scripts, meeting people, and I have decided on two films. Unfortunately, I am not able to talk about it right now,” she revealed. 

Her last screen outing was the 2024 mega-hit 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', which saw her return to the iconic horror-comedy franchise alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit. The film shattered box office expectations, raking in over ₹400 crore.

Before that, she charmed audiences with 'Do Aur Do Pyaar', a nuanced romantic comedy featuring Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy.

Vidya Balan's Upcoming Film

Next up, Vidya will be seen in 'Raja Shivaji', a historical epic helmed by Ritiesh Deshmukh. The film, which also stars Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Genelia D’Souza, is slated for a theatrical release on May 1 next year.