Period films are nothing new in Bollywood. We get to see many movies that are set in different times and eras. Actors also love to do period films as it gives them an opportunity to perform a character that is something totally different from them.
Many actors like Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, and others have starred in more than one period film, but well there’s one actress who has starred in five-period movies. We are talking about Vidya Balan.
So, today, let’s look at the list of period films Vidya has starred in…
Parineeta
Vidya Balan started her Bollywood career with a period love story titled Parineeta. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, the movie was set in the 1960s and Vidya had given a fantastic performance in it. Also, her look impressed one and all.
The Dirty Picture
One of the best films of Vidya Balan till date is The Dirty Picture. The movie was inspired by the life of South siren, Silk Smitha, and was set in the 80s. Vidya received a National Award for her performance in the movie.
Ekk Albela
In 2016, Vidya starred in a Marathi film titled Ekk Albela which was a biopic on late legendary actor Bhagwan. The actress portrayed the role of Geeta Bali in the film, and though it was just an extended cameo, Vidya stole the show with her look.
Begum Jaan
Set against the backdrop of partition, 2017 release Begum Jaan failed to make a mark at the box office. However, Vidya nailed it in the film and it is surely one of the best performances of her career.
Shakuntala Devi
And now, it’s time for us to watch one more period film featuring Vidya Balan. Well, the actress’ next release is a biopic on Shakuntala Devi, so of course, it will start from the pre-independence era and end in early 2000. We are surely looking forward to Vidya’s performance in this.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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