Sharing about the ordeal of body shaming and the brutal criticism she has received for her body, actor Vidya Balan spoke about how she used to ‘hate’ her body and her body weight became a ‘national issue’. The actress said that with time, she has touched upon an array of topics like beauty standards for women, body positivity and more, shared her not-so-pleasant experiences and said she has overcome these insecurities gradually.
The actor adds that, ‘the length of your hair, the thickness of your arms, curves, height' because it doesn't matter,’ such things no longer bothers her.
In an interview with The Times of India, Balan said, "It was important for me to have gone through what I did. It was very public and at that time it was so insurmountable. I come from a non-film family. There was no one to tell me that these phases don’t last. My weight issue had become a national issue. I have always been a fat girl; I wouldn’t say that I am at a stage where my fluctuating weight doesn’t bother me anymore at all. But I have come a long way. I have had hormonal issues all my life. For the longest time, I hated my body. I thought it had betrayed me. On the days I was under the pressure of looking my best, I would bloat up and I would be so angry and frustrated."
"Over time, I accepted that my body is the only thing that is keeping me alive because the day my body stops functioning, I am not going to be around. I have a lot of gratitude for my body. It doesn’t matter what I have been through, I am alive because of this body. It’s blood and bones. With each day I have begun to love and accept myself more, but it’s not been easy. You have to fake it till you make it,” she added.
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The National Award-winning actress stated that when she began to love and accept herself, “I became more acceptable to people. They began to shower me with love and accolades and appreciation and all of that."
Vidya debuted in Bollywood with the critically acclaimed film Parineeta, and since then has pioneered women empowering films. Her roles have received praises not only from her critics but also loved by the audience. She is best-known for featuring in movies such as The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, Guru, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Mission Mangal and Lage Raho Munna Bhai, among others. She was last seen in the Shakuntala Devi biopic.