Basking in the immense success that Vidya Balan is getting for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, it is amazing to think that the actor reprised her role as Manjulika in a different setting and it resonates even today, all these years later.

In an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz, actor Vidya Balan sat down with us and had a heart-to-heart conversation where she talked about the success of the film, women in the industry, getting OTT offers and more.

Q. Why do you think the character of Manjulika resonates so much? It did the way it did 17 years ago and now it happened yet again?

Vidya: You know, I guess Manjulika is the expression of our inner rage when we’ve been silenced and suppressed – at least that is what I think. Interestingly, in the last few days, I have been wondering about and thinking the same thing – what is it about this character that connects so much every time? It did so in Bhool Bhulaiyaa and it did now as well in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 too but I don’t exactly know. Maybe we shouldn’t figure it out and the magic is left as it is.

Q. After having a brilliant debut with Parineeta, you did character-driven roles in films like Paa and Guru, but since then you have always been associated with female-driven subjects. How secure were you as a newcomer back then and how much does that play a factor now?

Vidya: I think I came into the movies very secure because I was already 26 years old. It wasn’t like I was a teenager and I was just extremely happy to be getting my big break and working on a big film. Following that, I was flooded with offers and was working with some of the best people, hence there was a great sense of security. Of course, when you go through lows, you feel insecure, unsure and even confused – it happens from time to time, even now. It isn’t like I am completely bereft of it. The only difference now is that I embrace it. I can see things in a certain way and I analyse – am I feeling threatened in any way, or just what is it, and that’s when I try to get to the bottom of it, and that helps me let it go. I don’t fight it anymore. Previously, I would be like ‘No no I can’t feel insecure’ And today, I’m like I am a human being, of course I can feel insecure.

Q. In my opinion, the Hindi entertainment industry has done incredibly better than other industries when it comes to the portrayal of women. What do you think about it and how do you feel it can only improve from here?

Vidya: I absolutely agree with that. I have only seen it get better. Since 2008, when I first did Ishqiya, almost regularly the offers I get – about 95% of those are films or shows centred around a female protagonist. Post-pandemic, people have become more conservative about how much they want to spend on films for the big screen, which aren’t your big commercial vehicles, and therefore they are perhaps suffering a bit. They are so confused about whether it should be an OTT film or theatrical film and so on – so we are in a bit of a confused state – but these are all phases. What just makes me incredibly happy is that there is no dearth of subjects with women as heroes. I also believe that we need and ready for some reinvention in that space, maybe we need to have some fun with it. And we have all the women who came before us to thank for – even when they played quintessential female leads, all of them, in one way or another, moved the needle and pushed the bar for us. So, it is them we need to thank and appreciate because all their work, their prayers, and their efforts lead us to lead the lives we are living right now.

Watch the full interview below-