Vidya Balan (born January 1, 1978) is an Indian actress, who appears in Hindi films. After graduating with a degree in sociology, she started her career starring in music videos, television shows and commercials, before appearing in feature films.
Balan made her movie debut in the Bengali film, Bhalo Theko in 2003. She later made her Hindi film debut with Parineeta (2005), which earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut as well as her first Best Actress nomination at the same ceremony. She subsequently essayed a variety of character roles, receiving her first commercial success with Rajkumar Hirani's Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). She subsequently appeared in such films as Guru, Heyy Babyy (2008) and Bhool Bhulaiya (2008), the latter earning her another Filmfare nomination.
In 2009 she appeared as a single mother of a child suffering from progeria in R. Balki's Paa, her performance in which ultimately won her a Best Actress award at Filmfare. 2010 saw the release of Ishqiya, starring Balan in a role for which she was praised and awarded, and she followed it with her first real-life character of Sabrina Lal in the biopic No One Killed Jessica.
Raja Shivaji
2026
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
Mallika / Manjulika
2024
Do Aur Do Pyaar
Kavya
2024
The Great Indian Kapil Show
Self · (1 episode)
2024
Neeyat
Mira Rao
2023
Jalsa
Maya Menon
2022
Sherni
Vidya Vincent
2021
Shakuntala Devi
Shakuntala Devi
2020
Natkhat
Surekha
2020
Mission Mangal
Tara Shinde
2019
Nerkonda Paarvai
Kalyani Bharath
2019
Superstar Singer
Self · (1 episode)
2019
N.T.R: Mahanayakudu
Basavatarakam
2019
N.T.R: Kathanayakudu
Basavatarakam
2019
Amoli
Narrator (English)
2018
Tumhari Sulu
Sulochana "Sulu" Dubey
2017
Begum Jaan
Begum Jaan
2017
Rising Star
Self · (1 episode)
2017
Kahaani 2
Vidya Sinha / Durga Rani Singh
2016
Yaaron Ki Baraat
Self · (1 episode)
2016
Ekk Albela
Geeta Bali
2016
Te3n
Sarita Sharma
2016
The Kapil Sharma Show
Herself · (2 episodes)
2016
Hamari Adhuri Kahani
Vasudha Prasad
2015
The Anupam Kher Show
Herself · (1 episode)
2014
Bobby Jasoos
Bobby
2014
Shaadi Ke Side Effects
Trisha Roy
2014
Son of Abish
Herself · (1 episode)
2014
Mahabharat
Draupadi (voice)
2013
Ghanchakkar
Neetu Athray
2013
Comedy Nights with Kapil
Self · (3 episodes)
2013
Bombay Talkies
Self, special appearance in "Apna Bombay Talkies" (uncredited)
2013
Ferrari Ki Sawaari
Special Appearance in Song "Mala Jau De"
2012
Kahaani
Vidya Bagchi
2012
The Dirty Picture
Reshma / Silk
2011
Dum Maaro Dum
Cameo as Mrs Kamath
2011
Thank You
Divya
2011
Urumi
Makkom / Bhumi
2011
No One Killed Jessica
Sabrina Lal
2011
MasterChef India
Guest Star · (1 episode)
2010
Ishqiya
Krishna Verma
2010
Paa
Vidya Arte
2009
Kismat Konnection
Priya
2008
Halla Bol
Sneha Chauhan / Sneha A. Khan
2008
Om Shanti Om
Self
2007
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Avni S. Chaturvedi / Manjulika
2007
Heyy Babyy
Esha Sahni
2007
Eklavya: The Royal Guard
Rajeshwari / 'Rajjo'
2007
Salaam-e-Ishq
Tehzeeb Raina
2007
Guru
Meenakshi "Meenu" Saxena
2007
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Jhanvi
2006
Parineeta
Lalita
2005
Koffee with Karan
Self · (2 episodes)
2004
Bhalo Theko
2003
Kaun Banega Crorepati
Self · (3 episodes)
2000
Aap Ki Adalat
Herself · (1 episode)
1992