In today’s generation of actresses, there are only a select few who I truly admire and love to watch both on and off screen. And out of those few, Vidya Balan certainly takes the cake! An extremely talented and beautiful actress, she has never failed to amaze me with her skills and her media image. Be it her humanitarian efforts for women or her outspoken nature with regards to the “conventional actress,” needless to say the sky is the limit for her. So allow me to explain some of the many reasons why she is such an iconic woman!

Her love for saris and other cultural South Asian attire

Remember those days when actresses would show up to awards ceremonies and events in lehengas and saris in all their proud cultural glory? I certainly miss them. Nowadays, almost everyone shows up in the latest cocktail dress or some other high-end western wear. You might catch someone in a sari or anarkali once in a blue moon, but mainly actresses nowadays don dresses of the west. But not Vidya! She proudly flaunts her saris with zero apologies. And she has gotten a lot of criticism for it too, because God forbid she wears the national attire of her country instead of a Donna Karan dress. She has never cared about what is “in style”, especially since nowadays it is sadly considered old-fashioned to wear cultural dresses in Bollywood for the most part. Balan said in an interview in September 2016, “Honestly, I don't remember too many actresses wearing the sari for a long time before I came on the scene which is why it stuck in people's head. Frankly, after the 80s, actresses stopped wearing saris, so in 2007 when I took up wearing a sari, people found it very refreshing. I love the sari, it is an extremely versatile garment, it can be worn to suit any occasion or mood. It is a feminine garment, it embraces your strengths and weaknesses and that is fascinating.”....“Thee most important lesson I have learnt being an actor is: 'You are an individual and you should celebrate your individuality because there is no point trying to be like anyone else'." Yes, I went through a phase of trial and error, with regard to my fashion choice. I decided to stick to what I like though there was a time when I wasn't wearing anything I liked and people didn't seem to like it either. Now I am enjoying what I wear as I feel good about it.” Balan is slowly making cultural dresses fashionable once more, wearing what she is comfortable in and what she enjoys and is proud of it! In an industry where fashion is always being scrutinized, she has managed to hold her own. After all, as she says, “I don't think clothes make a person. It is the person that makes the clothes.” Keep flaunting those saris, my queen!

Balan during the Yes I Am The Change Awards Ceremony 2015

Vidya Balan at the Colors Screen Awards 2013

Her indifference to body shamers

Vidya has faced criticism over the years with regards to her fluctuating weight and while it did bother her in her earlier years, she has long since come to love her curves! She is far from the “typical” actress nowadays, especially when size zero is what is selling. Balan once said, "A fat girl always feels like a boy will not like her because of her weight. But there is only so much a boyfriend, a husband and your family can do. But I know that love is non negotiable and at the end of the day, you have to come to terms with who you are.". This is a great stance for her to take, especially as an actress, because it shows those of us who have been struggling with weight and body image that you don’t have to change who you are or fit into what is socially desired in order to feel beautiful and confident about yourself. Plus, food is good for the soul!

Her versatile acting talent

There are no shortage of films here to choose from when looking for Balan’s versatility and strength as an actress. From a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kahaani (which is definitely my favorite film of hers so far! And of course, I am counting the days to the release of Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh in which she will star with Arjun Rampal!), to a social justice seeker in No One Killed Jessica, to a beautiful traditional woman in Parineeta, to a Hyderabadi wannabee detective in the dramedy Bobby Jasoos, (in which she dons multiple disguises), is there anything that this gem cannot do?

She is comfortable (and beautiful!) in her own skin

After facing initial struggles in her early years as an actress, Balan has since stopped pretending to be someone she wasn’t. She embraces and displays her own style and has a lot of patience for those who make remarks about her looks and choices. And her acting prowess has made her impossible to ignore, therefore quickly silencing her fashion critics. She has proven that you can be beautiful in your own way without conforming to everyone else’s ideal of what beauty is, and that it is important to stay true to yourself. Plus she has continued to have a strong career after marriage. Balan rightly said, “When things are meant to happen, they just do. That’s the most beautiful truth of life. We keep looking for things in life, whether it’s love or success, but when you’re least expecting it, your dreams walk in and embrace you. That’s the most beautiful feeling and you know you’re home.”

Way to dance to your own beat, Vidya!

Her films are different and unconventional

Balan has become a pioneer for female actresses with regards to her portrayal of strong female protagonists (such as movies like Paa and Ishqiya) and also for doing films that don’t always have big stars (such as Kahaani and Bobby Jasoos). She has constantly outdone herself over the span of her career and is also changing the idea of the quintessential heroine. When it comes to film choices, she is as free as a bird!

And yet, she is still very close to her traditions, which makes her an even more amazing role model!

As Bollywood has become more and more westernized, it is hard to find people like Balan who still maintain their traditional customs and don’t forget their roots. And as someone who is very traditional, it is a breath of fresh air for me to see an actress who is proud of her Indianness and cultural identity, and does not shy away from prominently displaying and practicing it. She is living proof that you can be “progressive” without abandoning your traditions and your culture values.

Needless to say, I don’t think it is possible for me to adore this woman any more than I already do!

I feel like there are a million reasons why Vidya Balan is such an admirable actress and role model. How can we not be in awe of this regal woman? Let me know in the comments below which reason you loved most, why you personally admire her, and which of her films are your favorites!

And on that final note, here is some more inspiration from the queen, herself!