When Vidya Balan revealed why people thought she was Bengali after 'Parineeta' and 'Kahaani'

Vidya Balan, who recently turned 47, has always stood out for the choices she has made as an actor. Known for breaking the mould of the conventional Hindi film heroine, she built a career anchored in performance-driven roles. But following the success of 'Parineeta' and 'Kahaani', many fans were convinced that Vidya was Bengali—a perception that lingered for years.

Vidya Balan on her Kolkata connect and speaking Bengali

Vidya has often spoken about her deep-rooted connection with Kolkata. Addressing the assumptions around her background, she once said in an old interview, “I don’t think there is a question of returning to Kolkata because I spend half my days there invariably. But it was wonderful. People are so warm and welcoming. My debut film was a Bengali film, even before Parineeta, so they actually think I am Bengali.”
She added, “Everyone speaks to me in Bengali and I show off my Bengali wherever I can. I know songs, rhymes and slangs. When I am in Kolkata, I don’t miss home that much.” Her ease with the language and culture only strengthened the belief among audiences.

Birthplace, family and education

Vidya Balan was born on January 1, 1978, in Palakkad district, Kerala, and comes from a Tamil Brahmin family. Her mother, Saraswathy Balan, is a homemaker, while her father, P R Balan, works as the chief mentor at MFA Consulting Private Limited. She grew up in Mumbai with her elder sister, Priya Balan.
She studied at St Anthony’s Girls High School in Chembur and later graduated with a degree in sociology from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

Early struggles and first break

Vidya began acting at a young age and was cast in the television show 'Hum Paanch' during her school years. Her early attempts to break into Malayalam and Tamil cinema did not materialise as planned. She eventually made her acting debut with the Bengali film 'Bhalo Theko' in 2003. Two years later, in 2005, she made her Bollywood debut with 'Parineetaa'.

Films that shaped her career

Over the years, Vidya Balan has delivered acclaimed performances in films such as' Lage Raho Munna Bhai', 'Paa', 'Kahaani', 'No One Killed Jessica', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', 'Mission Mangal' and 'Tumhari Sulu'. The 'Dirty Picture' proved to be a turning point, emerging as a blockbuster and cementing her reputation as one of Hindi cinema’s most dependable performers.


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