BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 : VIDYA BALAN'S HONOURS

In a career filled with powerhouse roles, Vidya Balan has once again proven her mettle with the roaring success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, 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 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 woman to lead a film in Bollywood.

The World Students Society thanks The Express Tribune.