Media Image and Artistry
Following the success of Parineeta and Lage Raho Munnabhai, Balan's film roles were subject to wide critical analysis. Vir Sanghvi noted that the films Heyy Babyy and Kismet Konnection were "strange films in which she tried to pretend to be what she is not — a Bollywood bimbette." Balan described that particular phase in her career as a "struggle to be someone else". Due to the criticism that her film choices evoked, Balan decided to choose roles that she "believed in" rather than choose by convention. Members of the media have subsequently labelled her as "bold" and "daring" in her choices.
Her starring roles in Heyy Babyy and Kismet Konnection also led to considerable attention in the media for her "questionable wardrobe". Several publications listed her as the "worst dressed actress" and her costume designers attributed her failure to carry off western clothes due to her weight and body structure. She was later praised in the media for wearing saris at public events; designer Niharika Khan explained, "Vidya's beauty lies in her curves. She's comfortable in her voluptuousness, and therefore in a sari." Balan has since been identified to defy "an anglicised idea of sexuality" and embody the idea of "raw Indian sexuality".
After portraying headstrong, independent women in Paa, Ishqiya, No One Killed Jessica, The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, Balan was credited in the media for breaking stereotypes of a Hindi film heroine. The major commercial success of the latter two also contributed to her being labelled as a "female hero". Film critic Mayank Shekhar predicted, "Just a few smart male actors can completely change the face of a commercial, star-driven film industry. Looking at Vidya Balan it appears, that change could well originate from the leading lady instead." India Today featured her in their listing of the "25 Power Women" and noted that "she has toppled the all dominating hero, reducing him to a supporting role in a male dominated film industry".
Balan occupied the top slot in Rediff.com's annual listing of "Bollywood's Best Actress" for two consecutive years (2010–11). She also featured in the list for the years 2005, 2006 and 2009. In 2010, she featured in Filmfare's listing of the "Women we love". In 2012, the magazine Verve listed her as one of India's "Young Power Women" and wrote, "In a reel world peopled by size zero-toned bodies and pretty-as-a-picture heroines, Balan comes across as completely real and natural – a woman who has followed her own instincts and dared to live her destiny by being her own person and not morphing herself to fit into any conventional slot."
Read more about this topic: Vidya Balan
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