We need to take ourselves less seriously'

In a career filled with powerhouse roles, Vidya Balan has once again proven her mettle with the roaring success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a sequel that's nearing the INR2 billion mark in India. Vidya, who first captivated audiences with her portrayal of Manjulika in Priyadarshan's Bhool Bhulaiyaa back in 2007, returns to the franchise, bringing fresh energy and a reminder of why she remains a force in Bollywood.

Reflecting on her journey, the actor shared in an interview with PTI that the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa was pivotal, marking her as an actor capable of tackling complex characters. "People realised that there was another facet to me," she remarked, noting how the film's success opened doors to films like Ishqiya, which further solidified her versatility. "I don't know if it was prompted by that, but Ishqiya came to me after that. When people see you do different things, their minds open up with possibilities."

But for all her critical acclaim, Vidya's father still holds a soft spot - he wished the original film had fetched her a major award. "But it's okay. I won most awards in the next four years," she said with a smile. And indeed, she did, racking up a golden streak with Paa (2009), Ishqiya (2010), The Dirty Picture (2011), and Kahaani (2012), all redefining what it meant for a woman to lead a film in Bollywood.

Vidya, however, isn't just looking back; she's also eyeing the future of Hindi cinema and hoping for a shift in the way women are portrayed on screen, especially in comedy. "There was Tanu Weds Manu, Piku, and Tumhari Sulu. But just three films? I'm dying to do more films like Seeta Aur Geeta and Chaalbaaz," she said, pointing out the current lack of women-led comedy films. "Comedies require you to bend the rules, make fun of yourself, and therefore of others. We need to take ourselves less seriously."

Vidya is clear about what she doesn't want to see, too. "I don't enjoy action films," she said, voicing her belief that women-led action films should have more depth. "If it's part of the story, then it's fine. Anyway, I don't enjoy action films. Women-led action films have to have more substance. Some things are unique to us, and we should embrace that."

And while the star feels that Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 isn't a film made for critics, she's basking in the response from audiences. Working under the deft direction of Anees Bazmee, she shared, "Both Priyadarshan and Anees bhai trust their actors. When I read the third part, I thought it was so much fun. With Anees bhai as director, I knew it could only get better. He's the kind of director who knows how to grab the audience's attention and keep them engaged in every scene. Even in the edit, he is so gentle; he knows how to keep it tight and how to keep the audience engaged and entertained."

Vidya even took the time to rewatch her original performance to reconnect with Manjulika's essence. "It had been 10 to 15 years since I watched the film, and I enjoyed it. I do watch my films once in a while," she shared, adding that the recent demise of director Pradeep Sarkar also moved her to rewatch Parineeta.

A trailblazer who isn't afraid to challenge the norms, Vidya Balan is set to lead a new era, one where Bollywood lets its leading ladies laugh - and audiences, along with her.