Vidya Balan, the original Manjulika, is set to make her highly anticipated return in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. While promoting the film, she candidly reflected on a painful experience from her early career, revealing how she was replaced in a Tamil film after just two days of shooting. This incident had a profound impact on her self-esteem.
In an interview with Galatta India, Vidya recounted the moment she confronted the producer for an explanation. Instead of a constructive discussion, she faced derogatory remarks about her acting and dancing abilities. She recalled, “I did a Tamil film. I shot for it for two days and then I got replaced. I went with my parents to speak to the producer at his office in Chennai. He showed us some clips from the film and said to my parents, ‘Dekho, kisi angle se heroine dikhte hai? (Does she look like a heroine from any angle)? She doesn’t know how to act or dance.’ I was thinking, first let me act and dance; I hardly shot for the film.”
This harsh criticism left Vidya feeling so low that she struggled to look at herself in the mirror for six months. Her vulnerability in sharing this experience underscores the challenges many actors face in the industry, and it highlights her resilience as she continues to shine on the big screen.
