You could hardly call her a newcomer, after all, Vidya's been on the Bollywood scene since her big screen debut in 2003's Balo Theko; but the excitement, hype and acclaim currently surrounding the 34-year-old thanks to her stunning turn in the controversial The Dirty Picture, has seen the star go stellar in a very short space of time.
And with her performance as Silk Smitha landing her critical and commercial acclaim, a FilmFare Award for Best Actress and Shah Rukh Khan begging to work with her, the actress has also found herself in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose her roles - something that's got Bebo and Katrina looking over their toned shoulders.
Scene delves into the flick it took for Bollywood to sit up and take notice, and what's in store for the actress as her star dramatically ascends…
The Khans are queuing up!
One of the major measures of Vidya's success has been the alacrity with which some of B-town's biggest stars have revealed their desire to work with her.
"She is a wonderful actor," gushed SRK. "I have seen [her film] Ishqiya on DVD and I just loved her performance. I have also seen Paa." Adding, "Apart from being a marvellous actress, I think all these girls are such huge stars. I believe girls are very hard working compared to boys. I hope I get a chance to work with her."
But Vidya's not prepared to tie herself to one leading man, revealing that Aamir is on her co-star list, along with John Abraham (again!) and Salman.
"I'm dying to work with Aamir. And Shah Rukh of course is my favourite," she spilled. Laughingly adding, "I said on Sajid Khan's chat show I want to kill Shah Rukh's wife. No one took me seriously. There was no enhancement in the security around her. Sad."
Carving her own niche
Not for Vidya the forgettable role of ‘girlfriend' or eye candy for a male lead, as sources close to the actress say she will only consider parts that call for strong women.
And after being offered a role in Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Wadala, Vidya has dropped out of the flick in the wake of the success of The Dirty Picture, believing that her role of Manya Surve's girlfriend in the gangster movie didn't showcase her talents.
"Vidya wants to work with Gupta. She loves his style of film making. It's just that she does not want to get lost in a project crowded with a lot of men," revealed a close source. "It's just a natural progression in her career."
But that's not to say that Vidya is only gunning for lead roles, as she would rather pick the roles that interest her, insisting of her part in Nikhil Advani's next project, Chand Bhai, "I get to co-star with a very talented actor, Akshaye Khanna. The film revolves around the delinquent boy's character, but I'm very happy to be part of a film that addresses an important social issue."
Breaking into item numbers
Flush from her recent film success, Vidya has also celebrated being tapped to star in her very first item number in Vinod Chopra's Ferrari Ki Sawaari.
"Mr Vinod Chopra called me - he is my director - he asked me whether I wanted to do it or not, and I was like, ‘I will absolutely do it,'" she spilled of her big song and dance number. "He asked me to watch the film and hear the song first and then decide. But I would have done it anyway." Adding, "He respected me so much and showed me the film and the song is fun."
And the item number will be a fun move for the star, who's become famous for her dramatic roles - which have won her much critical acclaim.
Dubbed "an acting revelation" by Variety's Derek Elley for her role of Lalita in 2005's Parineeta, Vidya was also praised for her part of Krishna in 2010 movie, Ishqiya, with a review in The Telegraph gushing, "Vidya makes Krishna such a fascinating character by never letting you know what's going on in her head… In your bid to find out who she really wants, you will fall in love with Krishna."
‘Beyond a sex symbol'
Her role as Silk Smitha may have involved a lot of controversial stripping off and intimate scenes, but Vidya has proved an ability not to be defined by her most famous role. Having previously been praised as "miles ahead of the cookie cutter Barbie dolls that clutter Bollywood," by NDTV's Anupama Chopra, her next director, Sujoy Ghosh agrees that Balan has transcended the pigeon holes many of her peers have found themselves trapped in by taking on sexy roles.
"I don't think Vidya is termed as a sex symbol," he says. "She is a realistic actor. Needless to say she is a versatile actress. I don't think it matters as she can pull off any roles."
