Vidya Balan reveals she began receiving never-before-offered roles after weight loss: 'It wasn't just about shedding pounds'

Vidya Balan has opened up about her evolving relationship with her body, sharing how it has impacted her career and self-image.
In an interview with India Today Digital, Vidya reflected on her journey toward self-acceptance, revealing that after her weight loss, she began receiving roles she hadn’t been considered for previously.
'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' actress recounted the challenges she faced with her body post-The Dirty Picture, as she dealt with hormonal issues that caused weight gain despite her efforts. However, she chose to focus on self-love, stating, “I realised that this is the body that is keeping me alive, and I am only sending it hate because I wanted it to be what it is not.” This transformative shift was aided by a healer she had worked with for over a decade, who helped her practice gratitude and release emotional stress.
Her perspective change also highlighted the importance of understanding body fluctuations and self-acceptance. "I embrace myself and put myself out there, no matter how I was feeling within, and that only helped me accept myself more,” Vidya emphasized. She later discovered her weight issues were rooted in inflammation rather than fat, which she addressed with medical guidance rather than focusing solely on shedding pounds.
Vidya shared that, while her weight loss led to new opportunities, she never viewed her body as a limitation. “I am being offered certain kinds of roles that I wasn't being offered before,” she said, but stressed that her work has never suffered due to her body image. Holding onto a past compliment from director Zoya Akhtar, who called her “the sexiest” at her heaviest, Vidya continues to redefine beauty standards in her own way.