Vidya Balan is setting the internet ablaze and no, it’s not for one of her powerhouse performances this time. The Bollywood icon has stunned fans with a striking new avatar on the cover of The Peacock Magazine’s July 2025 edition, and the makeover has sparked everything from awe to debate.
Unveiled on July 14 via the magazine’s official Instagram handle (and promptly reshared by Vidya herself), the cover shot showcases the actress in a bold pink gown featuring a deep plunging neckline. With her hair dyed a rich, soft brown, glowing skin, and minimalist jewellery to complete the look, the 'Parineeta' star has left netizens floored.
“A Force to Reckon With”, the tagline for the cover story, perfectly sums up Vidya’s enduring impact in a film industry that often sidelines actresses past a certain age. Fans were quick to shower praise, with many marvelling at how youthful and radiant she looked.
Fans React To Vidya Balan's Jaw-Dropping Makeover
“Damn she is looking gorgeous,” wrote one admirer, while another gushed, “Stunning!! She has the potential to be styled this way too and should play with this more!”
The transformation has also opened up discussions around glamour and age in Bollywood. Many social media users felt her look was a refreshing break from the industry’s obsession with “size zero and filler culture.” One fan quipped, “Beauty standard which needs to be praised >> size zero & filler culture.”
Others used the moment to take a dig at the younger generation of stars. “She looks amazing, if someone else (current nepo gen) had been styled like this,” noted one comment. Another jabbed, “All nepo kids who look like each other need styling tips from her on how to stand out.”
One particularly viral comment read, “Couldn’t believe my eyes – had to look closely at the face to reconfirm that it’s Vidya Balan. What a makeover. Truly inspiring.” Another added with nostalgia, “Are we back in 2005?”
However, the applause wasn’t unanimous. A small group questioned whether this new version of Vidya aligned with her past stance on body positivity. A Reddit user pointed out, “She used to speak out against weight loss pressure. What happened to that?” Another commented, “Didn’t she once say that losing curves made women look like men? This feels a bit off.”
Meanwhile, the celebrated actress was last seen in 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' (2024) alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit.