Vidya Balan: 'Ugly' taunts fueled her rise

Vidya Balan recently appeared as the antagonist 'Kantha' in Rajinikanth's Jailer 2, marking her debut in a full-fledged Tamil film. Her powerful screen presence, even while smoking a cigarette in a striking saree, has captured attention.

However, Balan shared her challenging journey, recalling instances where she was rejected and made to feel 'ugly' by the South Indian film industry. She recounted being replaced in a Tamil film after just two days of shooting, with a producer making derogatory comments about her looks and acting abilities.

This experience profoundly impacted Balan, leading her to avoid mirrors for six months due to damaged self-esteem. She emphasized the importance of kindness in professional feedback, noting how such words can be destructive. Her career also faced early hurdles when her debut Malayalam film, Chakram, was shelved, causing her to be labeled a 'jinx' and lose numerous subsequent projects.