From Bollywood Queen to Historical Saga: Vidya Balan Joins 'Raja Shivaji'!

Mumbai, India: The highly anticipated historical epic, "Raja Shivaji," is set to become an even grander affair with the official confirmation of acclaimed actress Vidya Balan joining its already stellar ensemble cast. This exciting development further amplifies the buzz around Riteish Deshmukh's dream project, which aims to bring the glorious life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to a pan-Indian audience.

Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, "Raja Shivaji" is not just a film but a passionate endeavor by Riteish Deshmukh, who not only takes on the titular role of the legendary Maratha warrior but also marks his directorial debut with this magnum opus. The film is slated for a grand release on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, adding a symbolic touch to its release.

Vidya Balan's inclusion is a significant boost to the film's star power and artistic depth. Known for her powerful and nuanced performances, from the iconic "Manjulika" in "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" to critically acclaimed roles in films like "Kahaani" and "Dirty Picture," Balan is expected to portray a pivotal character that will leave a lasting impact. Sources close to the production reveal that Vidya was instantly drawn to the script and the historical significance of the project, committing to it with enthusiasm. She has reportedly already completed her look test and is set to commence shooting in the coming weeks.

The film already boasts an impressive lineup of talent, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh. Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Fardeen Khan are reportedly set to portray significant Mughal characters, promising intense confrontations with Shivaji.

"Raja Shivaji" is envisioned as a truly pan-Indian film, planned for release in six languages: Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. This multilingual approach aims to connect with a wider audience and pay a fitting tribute to one of India's greatest historical figures. The film's makers are committed to presenting an honest and sincere portrayal of Shivaji's life, driven by a deep emotional connection to the subject.

With cinematography by the renowned Santosh Sivan and music by the celebrated duo Ajay-Atul, "Raja Shivaji" promises to be a visual and auditory spectacle. The production is currently in full swing, with shooting progressing at a rapid pace.

The addition of Vidya Balan underscores the ambition and scale of "Raja Shivaji," positioning it as one of the most anticipated historical films in Indian cinema. Her presence, coupled with the existing stellar cast and Riteish Deshmukh's vision, sets the stage for a truly cinematic and historically resonant experience that audiences across the nation will eagerly await.

Vidya Balan: The Versatile Queen of Bollywood!

Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India on 1 January 1979, Vidya Balan is an Indian actress. Vidya Balan, a name synonymous with talent, versatility, and elegance, has made a significant impact on Indian cinema. With her powerful performances and strong screen presence, she has redefined the roles of women in Bollywood.

A Strong Start

Vidya Balan made her acting debut in the 2005 Bengali film "Bhalo Theko". However, it was her Hindi film debut, "Parineeta" in 2005, that catapulted her to fame. Her portrayal of the strong-willed and independent Lalita captured the hearts of the audience and critics alike.

A Versatile Actress

Vidya Balan is known for her versatility. She has effortlessly transitioned between various genres, from romantic comedies to historical dramas. Some of her most acclaimed performances include:

• The Dirty Picture (2011): A bold and provocative portrayal of the controversial actress Silk Smitha.
• Kahaani (2012): A thrilling mystery where she plays a pregnant woman on a mission.
• The Dirty Picture (2011): A bold and provocative portrayal of the controversial actress Silk Smitha.
• Kahaani (2012): A thrilling mystery where she plays a pregnant woman on a mission.
• Paa (2009): A heartwarming drama where she plays a single mother raising a child with progeria.
• No One Killed Jessica (2011): A true-crime drama where she plays a journalist fighting for justice.

A Strong Advocate for Women

Vidya Balan is not just a talented actress but also a strong advocate for women's empowerment. She has often spoken out against gender discrimination and has encouraged women to break stereotypes. Her powerful performances have often challenged societal norms and inspired women to embrace their individuality.

A Timeless Beauty

Beyond her acting prowess, Vidya Balan is also known for her elegant and timeless beauty. She has often been praised for her confidence and self-assuredness. Her fashion choices are often bold and unconventional, making her a style icon.

Vidya Balan's journey is an inspiration to many. She has broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and proved that women can be powerful, independent, and successful. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Vidya Balan’s ‘Neeyat’ to commence in UK!

Well-known Bollywood’s vivacious actress Vidya Balan's next film, suspense thriller titled 'Neeyat', went on floors in the U.K. on Tuesday.

The movie, an Amazon Prime Video co-production with Abundantia Entertainment, will see Vidya collaborating again with her 'Shakuntala Devi' director Anu Menon.

Billed as a nail-biter, the official logline of 'Neeyat' reads: "When guests start dropping dead at exiled billionaire Ashish Kapoor's birthday getaway, detective Mira Rao must unravel devious motives as the suspects are Kapoor's close friends and family."

'Neeyat' is helmed by Anu Menon, who has also co-written the story with Advaita Kala and Girvani Dhyani. The screenplay is by Menon, Priya Venkataraman, Kala and Dhyani, and the dialogues by Kausar Munir.

Besides Vidya Balan, the cast comprises Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Mita Vasishth, Neeraj Kabi, Shahana Goswami, Amrita Puri, Dipannita Sharma, Shashank Arora, Prajakta Koli and Danesh Razvi.

Kiara Advani’s NO for stepping into Vidya Balan's shoes in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2!

Ever since the trailer of the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has been released, enthusiasts have been going gaga over it. Everything about this movie is taking us all on a nostalgic trip. Be it the title track that is a remake of the Akshay Kumar starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa or the presence of Manjulika in the trailer, people who have seen the Akshay and Vidya Balan starrer will find a lot of similarities.

In a latest media chat, speaking about her character, Kiara Advani made it clear that she is not stepping into somebody’s shoes.

Speaking to a daily, Kiara Advani disclosed that saying yes to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 came easy for her. Even though she had an aversion to horror movies, yet she loved the Akshay Kumar starrer. Talking about Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 she said that they have tried to retain the essence of the original and some elements like Manjulika’s name. Adding further she said that as a storyline this is completely new. “This is not a psychological thriller, but a horror comedy. There is a layer of black magic,” revealed Kiara.

We all know that Vidya Balan had done a fabulous job as Manjulika in the 2007 hit film. So when Kiara Advani was questioned that did she feel the pressure as she picked up the reins? The actress disclosed that she is not playing the character and it is not a remake so she is not stepping into someone’s shoes. She further revealed, “I wanted to do the film because a genre like that could be transformed into a family entertainer.”

Vidya Balan ‘a star who is also an actor’ for Shefali Shah!

Well-known Bollywood actresses Shefali Shah and Vidya Balan shared screen space in the recently released movie Jalsa. It was the first time that the two most talented actors were collaborating in a movie. Audiences and fans were thrilled to witness the magic of their craft in the thriller helmed by Suresh Triveni. Amidst all this, Shefali too did not shy away from praising her co-star. In a latest chat, Shefali told that Vidya Balan is “a star who is also an actor”.

Talking to a daily, Shefali revealed that Vidya’s journey in Bollywood has paved the way for several actors. “It’s not a small feat that people write stuff for her. I think Vidya and her journey became a hope for many actors like me. I think she is one actor whose career we all look up to and without any envy. She is a star who is also an actor. I would go and watch a Vidya Balan film any day, and she has paved that path, not just in recent years but since she started. And that’s so inspiring. It just makes you hopeful that if you are good, roles will come your way,” revealed the actress.

 

Shefali Shah to reveal amazing qualities of her Jalsa co-star Vidya Balan!

Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah starrer film Jalsa is all set to release this Friday, 18th March. The drama thriller has gone for the OTT route and will be digitally released.  Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah are promoting the film ahead of its release. In a latest media chat, Shefali disclosed what qualities of Vidya Balan astonished her while working together.

In media chat, Vidya and Shefali spoke about their wonderful experience of working each other. When the interviewer asked Shefali about that one quality of Vidya that astonished her while working with her, the Satya actress had a lovely answer. She expressed that she admires every bit of Vidya, she admires her as an actor, woman and human being. She revealed that Vidya has a lot of warmth and genuineness and she excuses it and that she doesn’t see any falsity in her. She expressed that it is a very important quality for her. “What I admire about Vidya the most is the fact that she’s grounded and yet she’s confident in her own space,” she revealed.

Furthermore, she went on to say that Vidya is very comfortable and confident about who she is without ego or arrogance. She expressed that she really wished that she could do that too. She admitted that she is burdened with self-doubt all the time and said she was sure that Vidya must have also had the same, at some point.

Vidya Balan opens up on being the pioneer of female led films and pay parity!

Bollywood diva Vidya Balan has always been the pioneer of women led movies in Bollywood and she began the trend with movies like No One Killed Jessica, Kahani, The Dirty Picture, Ishqiya and many more.

On International Women’s Day, the Kahani star got in a candid chat with a media source, discussing about her different film choices, the stereotypes she broke through her journey in Bollywood as also body shaming, pay parity and her forthcoming movie, Sherni. Speaking about bringing the number game in forefront for the woman in Bollywood, Vidya reveals, “It’s all about timing. I didn’t decide in my head that I want to be doing female centric cinema that’s commercially viable. There was no plan or strategy, I just responded to content that was offered to me. I just happened to be an actor in it.”

On the pay parity of men and women in the industry. She revealed, “I definitely think, we have a long way to go before we get the kind of money that our male counterparts get. I do understand that filmmaking is a business, and the so called female centric cinema and it’s success is a recent phenomenon. Therefore, people are pushing the envelope one step at a time. Our budgets will increase and we will get bigger number in fees. Though things have definitely improved, we still have a long way to go. If you compare just the ratio of how much a male actor gets out of the budget and how much a female actress gets out of the budget of a film, it’s the same. Which is why am saying, if the budget of film increases, the pay will also increase.” 

Vidya Balan recalls her first Malayalam film with superstar Mohanlal!

Recently, gorgeous actress Vidya Balan shared a spectacular throwback photograph along with superstar Mohanlal. She mentions in her post on Instagram stories that the photograph was taken from the sets of her first ever movie in the Malayalam film industry.

The Lage Raho Munna Bhai star further discloses that her movie with Mohanlal got shelved after the first schedule. Vidya is seen happily posing with the south superdtar Mohanlal. Vidya Balan also mentions in her post that she does not look as bad as she had imagined it. Presently, she is enjoying a huge fan following in her Instagram account.

Vidya Balan loves slapstick!

Bollywood star Vidya Balan tells she loves comedy movies, adding that she can't stop laughing every time she watches Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1979 classic "Gol Maal", starring Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt.

"I find the old 'Gol Maal' crazily funny. Everytime Utpal Dutt says 'achhaaa', I can watch that scene on loop and keep laughing. Also, when he and Shubha Khote are running around the house and she hits him with a stick - the scene is just hilarious. I love slapstick!" Vidya revealed about her love for slapstick comedy.

On the film front, Vidya is presently busy with her forthcoming movie "Shakuntala Devi".

Jisshu Sengupta is a new reel hubby of Vidya Balan!

Now as per reports, Jisshu Sengupta will play the role of Paritosh Banerjee in the biopic 'Shakuntala Devi - Human Computer'.

"I am thrilled to be a part of 'Shakuntala Devi - Human Computer' and to play the role of Paritosh Banerjee. We have started shooting my parts for the film and I have already shot some lovely scenes," Jisshu revealed. "Shakuntala Devi" will be their second movie together. They had first teamed up for the NTR biopic.

"Working with Vidya is always so much fun. On set, there isn't a single dull moment when she is around, we're always laughing and joking. Working with (director) Anu Menon has been great too! She is meticulous, knows exactly what she wants and is extremely patient. It's a great team to work with," he revealed.

Based on the life of the mathematics genius, or 'human computer', as she was legendarily called, "Shakuntala Devi" is being shot in Mumbai.

Kat and Vidya sizzle together for a film!

There was a time when buddy films were almost always male-centric but of late it’s all about female bonding.

The latest is that Aanand L Rai is going to produce a women-driven action-comedy that might see Katrina Kaif and Vidya Balan joining forces. The movie will mark the directorial debut of Anand’s long-time AD Anirudh Ganapathy and I hear it’ll be loosely based on the Hollywood hit The Heat, which was about two lady cops who team up to solve a case. I think Kat and Vidya will kill it together on screen!

Vidya Balan to reveal about casting couch experience!

As we know, Vidya Balan has her own voice and is always making a difference with the choices she makes in professional as well as personal lives.

From speaking about the numerous rejections she faced to the kind of body shaming she received at the hands of people, Vidya discusses the several struggles she battled before and after becoming a heroine. Not only that, she also discloses how a director once tried to act smart with her.

Talking about an instance where a director tried to act smart with her, Vidya disclosed, "One day I remember I was in Chennai and this director came to meet me. I said let's sit in the coffee shop and he kept insisting that he wants to talk to me and that we should go to the room. I left the door of my room open and he left within five minutes. This incident suddenly struck me today when I'm talking about this."

She also remembered an incident that 'scarred her'. "Someone wrote that 'Dress like this, she has no business of getting out, she should stay indoors'. That had affected me so much that for the longest time, I would get dreams of it and get really angry. Today, I don't let the noise get to me."

Vidya Balan is thrilled about math wizard Shakuntala Devi biopic!

Vidya Balan

Math wizard Shakuntala Devi

Gorgeous Vidya Balan is all set to make her Bollywood comeback with Mission Mangal. Vidya was last seen in the 2017 comedy drama Tumhari Sulu. Along with Mission Mangal, Vidya is also gearing up for another exciting project - Shakuntala Devi’s biopic.

In a latest media chat, Vidya Balan opened up about the movie and revealed, “I am extremely thrilled about this project, and we will start the look test soon. I start this film in two weeks from the release of Mission Mangal. I am nervous because I haven’t had much time to prepare. But she is a very interesting character.”

Vidya added further, “You have a certain perception of mathematicians, and she was fun. I can’t talk about instances yet, but that’s what fascinated me about her. She has a great sense of humour, a wicked sense of humour, so I identified with her.”

Shakuntala Devi, popularly known as the 'human computer', was an Indian writer and math wizard. As per reports, her biopic will be directed by Anu Menon and the shoot will begin soon.

Akshay Kumar starrer Mission Mangal Teaser!

Recently, the makers of Mission Mangal released the teaser of the movie online and the teaser got us excited for the movie as Akshay Kumar as a senior scientist headlines India’s mission to Mars. Stars like Vidya Balan, Sonashi Sinha, Taapsee Panu and Sharman Joshi are essentially connected to the story.

Mission Mangal is inspired by India’s 2013 Mars space programme Mangalyaan and in the movie, Akshay Kumar will be seen in the role of a scientist which is inspired by a group of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) who worked on the Mars Orbiter Mission.

Vidya Balan’s exotic holiday time in Bali!

Beautiful actress Vidya Balan started her journey in Hindi film industry in the year 2005 with Pradeep Sarkar's musical drama Parineeta. Vidya, who is pretty active on social media, celebrated 14 years of the film and her career in Bollywood, with a throwback video from the sets of the movie which was shot after her last scene in Parineeta.

Vidya Balan presently has her vacation mode on, and we sure do wish we could join her. Vidya took to her social media to upload photos of her on the lovely beaches of Bali. The text on one of these photographs reads: #BalanInBali.

In these photos, Vidya Balan has donned on a maroon summer dress with a deep neckline and a pair of huge sunglasses. The caption of her post reads: “Joy ...#Alive #Happy #FunintheSun #PureJoy @sandhu_aditi you’ve got to be the best candid photographer i know .Thankoo ! @rickroyco i looove my dress .Thankoo !”

Vidya Balan’s incredibly swift calculations for her next!

The deal has been signed – Vidya Balan will play Shakuntala Devi in Anu Menon’s biopic about the maths genius.

The summer 2020 release will see Vidya playing the Bangalore-born woman whose was renowned for her incredibly swift calculations. The actress is maha excited to be stepping into the shoes of the human computer who grew up in the circus her father worked in before he discovered her special talent when she was just 5-years-old. I can’t wait to learn more about her life via the film!

Vidya Balan to eact the mathematics genius in Shakuntala Devi biopic!

Now, National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan is all set to essay the role of ‘the human computer’ in her next film. She has formally pronounced her next movie and it is Shakuntala Devi's biopic.

Vidya Balan took to social media to share the details pertaining to this new project. In the movie, Vidya will be seen as Shakuntala Devi who is a mathematics genius. The biopic had been in the news since last year December; but, the official pronouncement has been made today. Shakuntala Devi is one of the most well-known mathematicians in the country and has a record in her name in 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. Vidya will showcase the journey of a simple Brahmin girl from Bangalore who made use of her talent to make the country proud.

Vidya Balan was excited to essay the role of such a genius and told, “I am extremely excited to play the human computer, Shakuntala Devi, on the big screen. She was truly someone who embraced her individuality, had a strong feminist voice and braved many a naysayer to reach the pinnacle of success. But what truly fascinates me is that you wouldn’t normally associate a fun person with Math...and she completely turns that perception on its head. I am thrilled that Vikram, who I’ve worked with on Kahaani, and his team are producing the film. Vikram (Malhotra), Anu (Menon) and I are proud to bring to life the story of one of the most inspiring women of this country. How incredible that ‘The Math Genius’, ‘The Human Computer’, was a small-town Indian girl, who took the world by storm.”

The film will be helmed by Anu Menon and produced by Vikram Malhotra. But, recently, Vidya pronounced the movie officially. Shakuntala Devi biopic will go on the floors soon and is scheduled to release in summer 2020.

Vidya Balan’s thrilling moments with Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton!

Recently, Vidya Balan had a star-struck moment at at Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal’s wedding. Recently, Vidya Balan posted a photograph on Instagram where a happy Vidya’s caption had us all thrilled. Along with a photo of Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and hubby Siddharth Roy Kapur, Vidya thanked Union Minister Smriti Irani for introducing her to Hilary.

Vidya’s caption read, ‘Precious picture. The first time in my life that I asked to be introduced to someone. Thank you, Smriti Irani for the same. I love Hillary Clinton. A woman who has weathered every storm with equanimity and who never gives up. I felt hopeful while she campaigned to be President and felt a certain hopelessness when she didn't make it…”

Recently, Hillary Clinton landed in Udaipur on Saturday to be part of the pre-wedding festivities of Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal’s wedding. Hilary was welcomed by Nita and Mukesh Ambani at the venue with a bouquet.

Vidya Balan feels pain for working women!

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan got wedded to Siddharth Roy Kapur in 2013 and their marital life is going strong day by day. The couple is often spotted going out for dates and parties together.

There were a lot of stories that their wedding has hit the rock bottom numerous times, but Vidya squashed all the rumours and proved them false.

In a chat with a famous tabloid, the actor talks about her idea of a successful marriage and equality in the relationship.

Vidya revealed, "At the end of the day, a marriage of any relationship is a partnership, so there has to be equality. Men aren't accustomed to this idea, which is why women have to lure them into doing at least some of the work before expecting them to do 5 percent. See, both partners step out of the house to earn their livelihood but it's highly unfair that after a long, hard day, the woman has to come back and do household chores. Even if she has help at home, she still has to monitor, supervise and keep a check on everything. So, men should contribute equally."

She was questioned that the stereotype that a man has to work outside and woman has to take care of kids at home still persists and she responded. "Yes, that's because of the deep conditioning that the mother is more crucial to a child's upbringing than a father. But that's not true. I'm not a psychologist, this is just my opinion. As the mother has borne the baby, she instinctively doing that much more. Even if she has had a smooth pregnancy, once she delivers the baby, she wants to spend time with the little one. However, she also needs to get her energy back. No one ever talks about that. We forget that the woman too needs a lot of care."

Vidya Balan is badmash while hubby an intensely private person!

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is happily married to producer Siddharth Roy Kapur for five years and counting.

When a daily questioned the actress if she was closer to her husband given the fact that they work in the same field, Vidya replied, "Yeah, I’m passionate about acting while Siddharth is passionate about movies. You could wake him up at 5 am and ask him to watch a brilliant film and he’ll happily compromise on his sleep. I won’t. He is also a non-judgemental audience."

Quiz her on if she would like to collaborate with him in a film and the actress disclosed, "Unless it’s an unavoidable situation, we’d rather not work together."

On whether the opposites attract theory works on them and Vidya joked, "(Laughs) If you said this to Siddharth he’d blush. He’s an intensely private person. I’m the badmash, but I respect that he guards his privacy zealously. Yes, it’s been good for us so far. Touchwood."