Vidya Balan receives the Padma Shri Award

India’s fourth highest civilian award was presented to the unsurprisingly overwhelmed actor.

Bollywood sensation Vidya Balan has a sure-fire ‘kismat konnection’ indeed. Not only has her portrayal of strong female protagonists in films like The Dirty Picture and Kahaani won her multiple awards, but also, recently, made her the recipient of the Padma Shri from the Government of India.

What is the republic’s fourth highest civilian award, was presented to the actor, who was unsurprisingly overwhelmed. Vidya, 36, whose films have won both commercial and critical acclaim for films, such as Paa, Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica, said that it felt unreal to have received such a prestigious award, reports the Hindustan Times.

“I was shooting for Bobby Jasoos (in Mumbai) and there was a little celebration on the set,” she said. She shared that at home, she had a small celebration with her family, which “got really emotional when the news came in”. “Everyone is feeling very happy and proud. As for me, I’m just feeling grateful,” she said.

The national award-winning actor said that she never imagined receiving a Padma Shri. “With a film award, there is a nomination process, so you know there’s a possibility. Here, there was nothing of the sort. It was a wonderful surprise,” said Vidya.

The thrilled actor revealed how the news was broken to her. “They called Siddharth [her husband] because they didn’t know how to get in touch with me. When he called me, I didn’t take the call as I was busy shooting. Later in the day, when I saw his calls, I called back and he was ecstatic,” said Vidya, brimming with joy.

“For the first few seconds, I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying. But he sounded so happy that it dawned on me that it’s for real.”

The B-town bombshell, who has often been a victim of caustic remarks over her weight, has remained undeterred and embraced her curves like no other contemporary of hers.

From the film fraternity, actor Paresh Rawal has been selected as the other Padma Shri awardee this year.

A round of applause for both these distinguished actors!

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2014.

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