Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

TOP 10 performances of Vidya Balan

Balan has won multiple awards and acclaim for memorable roles that have showcased her impressive range

TOP 10 performances of Vidya Balan

A SERIES of winning performances has established Vidya Balan as one of the finest actresses of this generation.

She has won multiple awards and acclaim for memorable roles that have showcased her impressive range. She will add to that diverse body of work with the new movie Do Aur Do Pyaar. Eastern Eye got ready for the romantic comedy-drama, due in cinemas on April 19, by listing her top 10 performances, which are listed in chronological order.


Parineeta vidya balan Parineeta .

Lalita in Parineeta (2005): The actress announced herself with an award-winning debut in the stylish film adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1914 Bengali novella of the same name. She combined a striking screen presence with a beautifully understated performance in the story of two neighbours falling deeply in love with one another. The character-driven drama enabled the newcomer to showcase an impressive acting range, setting her up for a stunning career.

 Avni Chaturvedi and Manjulika in Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007): The spooky horror comedy demanded a dynamic performance and saw Balan brilliantly take on a dual identity, of a woman who gets possessed by a ghost seeking revenge. She was able to showcase dramatically different sides to her personality in the hit film, which would eventually spawn a successful franchise. The actress received multiple award nominations for her unpredictable role.

Paa Vidya Balan Paa 1 Paa

Dr Vidya in Paa (2009): This movie firmly established Balan as a commercial actress who could take on any challenge and add significant weight to a film. She played the devoted mother of a 12-year-old with a rare genetic disorder and won numerous best actress awards for the perfectly pitched performance. The multi-layered character is perhaps one only she could have portrayed. The actress held her own against Amitabh Bachchan’s impressive author-backed performance.

Krishna Verma in Ishqiya (2010): Playing a dangerous seductress was not immediately associated with the actress when this film came out and that made it an absolute de[1]light. She surprised audiences with a stunning turn that found the middle ground between black comedy and suspenseful crime drama. She was like a hunter encircling her prey as the widow, who seduces two small time criminals into doing her bidding. The successful film would spawn a sequel, but sadly she didn’t return.

no one killed jessica vidya balan No One Killed Jessica

Sabrina Lal in No One Killed Jessica (2011): The actress transformed her look and body language for the role of a determined woman trying to seek justice for her murdered sister. She teamed up with a no-nonsense reporter in the story, based on real life events. Balan brought depth and humanity to her role as an ordinary woman fighting against powerful criminals with political ties. She seamlessly complemented co-star Rani Mukerji in a movie loaded with girl power.

The Dirty Picture Movie Still 4 The Dirty Picture .

Reshma in The Dirty Picture (2011): One of the best biopics ever made in Bollywood was driven by Balan’s powerhouse performance as the lead. The unstoppable star went through a remarkable transformation portraying a character inspired by late actress Silk Smitha and injected raw energy into every scene. Pushing those emotional and physical boundaries resulted in the actress winning multiple best actress awards, along with wide acclaim for her role.

Vidya Venkatesan Bagchi in Kahaani (2012): Balan beautifully delivered the unpredictability her character demanded in this smash hit thriller. Convincingly playing a heavily pregnant woman looking for her missing husband led the film towards one of the best twist endings ever delivered in Hindi cinema. The stunning surprise was only possible because of the vulnerability injected into the lead protagonist. Her masterful performance led to multiple best actress awards.

Bilqees Ahmed in Bobby Jasoos (2014): It may not have been a commercially successful film, and she didn’t win any awards for it, but what remained undeniable was her wonderful performance and how fun it was. She portrayed a detective in the underrated movie, who is also a master of disguise. This enabled the actress to balance a quirky central character with transforming herself into various avatars, including bearded men.

Tumhari Sulu 909 Tumhari Sulu

Sulochana Dubey in Tumhari Sulu (2017): Balan’s portrayal of an ambitious housewife, who unexpectedly becomes a popular radio host mixed up heart-warming comedy with real human emotions. She added a relatability to her role that connected with older female audiences, who are often overlooked in Hindi cinema. The popular star added to her highly impressive trophy cabinet with more best actress awards.

Shakuntala Devi in Shakuntala Devi (2020): The versatile star made playing the real life role of an ace mathematician, known as the human computer, look effortless. The chameleonlike actress changed her looks to play a remarkable woman at different points in her life. That transformative performance was widely appreciated in an underrated movie that deserved more love than it received. Like the many other characters taken on by the actress during a distinguished career it showed there is no one quite like Balan.

More For You

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The next era of 'James Bond'

Getty

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The future of James Bond is taking shape under new ownership, with Amazon MGM pledging a "fresh" yet respectful approach to the iconic spy franchise. As speculation mounts over who will step into the role of James Bond, the studio has reassured fans that it remains committed to upholding Bond’s rich legacy while steering the franchise in a new direction.

A landmark acquisition

The James Bond films, long controlled by the fiercely protective Broccoli family, saw a major shift earlier this year when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to relinquish creative control. Amazon MGM’s reported $1 billion (£760 million) acquisition of the rights surprised many within the industry, raising questions about the franchise’s future under new leadership.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosamund Pike’s Hilarious James Bond Love Scene Blunder

Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day – The actress recently shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes mishap from their romantic scene

Instagram/Reddit

Rosamund Pike reveals mortifying James Bond love scene mishap: "I thought I was waxing Pierce Brosnan’s chest!"

Rosamund Pike has revealed a hilarious mix-up from her time filming Die Another Day alongside Pierce Brosnan. While shooting a romantic scene, the young actress believed she was accidentally waxing Brosnan’s chest, but the truth was far less painful.

During a recent conversation on David Tennant’s podcast, Pike spoke about her first major Hollywood role as Miranda Frost in the 2002 James Bond film. At just 22, she was still new to the industry and unfamiliar with some behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade, including the use of nipple covers and body tape during intimate scenes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West’s explosive new track Bianca reveals shocking details about his crumbling marriage, tracking allegations, and family feud

Getty Images

Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West has once again thrown himself into controversy, this time through his latest track, Bianca. The song, which dropped on DJ Akademiks’ platform, offers a raw, unfiltered look into his crumbling marriage with Bianca Censori. In the lyrics, West reveals shocking details about her alleged escape, her attempt to have him institutionalised, and his efforts to track her down. The track has sparked outrage and concern, drawing comparisons to real-life psychological thrillers and high-profile celebrity scandals.

West’s lyrics suggest that his wife reached a breaking point and felt she had no choice but to flee. He raps:

Keep ReadingShow less
John Wick

A classic still from John Wick

Instagram/WorldofJohnWick

John Wick gets animated makeover: Lionsgate & Chad Stahelski expand the assassin universe with new series

The John Wick franchise is expanding into animation, offering fans a fresh take on the high-octane world of assassins. Lionsgate has confirmed that an animated series titled John Wick: The Continental is in development, exploring untold stories from the universe of the hit action films.

Chad Stahelski, who directed all four John Wick movies, revealed the project during a recent interview. He emphasised that animation allows for storytelling beyond the limits of live-action, making it possible to explore characters and events in ways not seen before. This new approach aims to deepen the mythology of the franchise while maintaining the action-packed style that fans love.

Keep ReadingShow less