Taapsee Pannu Calls Vidya Balan Her ‘Hero’, Says The Dirty Picture And Kahaani Changed How She Saw Her Career

Actor Taapsee Pannu recently opened up about how Vidya Balan played a defining role in shaping the way she views her career in Hindi cinema. The actor revealed that she considers Vidya her "hero," crediting her for changing her perspective about the longevity and possibilities for women in the industry.

Speaking about the impact Vidya had on her, Taapsee shared, "Vidya is my hero because she changed the whole way I looked at my career ahead so that I also can do it. If these films didn't happen then people like me would never get the courage to continue. That is what changed my whole perspective about my shelf life." She added that the success of those films came at a crucial moment when she was beginning her journey in Hindi cinema.

Taapsee further recalled how those performances gave her confidence to believe that actresses could headline strong, content-driven films. "When Dirty Picture and Kahaani came, it was correctly at the time I was starting in Hindi films, that's why I always look at Vidya as my hero because she changed the whole way I looked at my career ahead that I also can do it," she said.

Often called the "Shero" of Hindi cinema, Vidya Balan has built a powerful filmography over the past two decades with women-led stories at its core. From the bold success of The Dirty Picture and the gripping thriller Kahaani to acclaimed performances in No One Killed Jessica, Tumhari Sulu and Sherni, the actor continues to redefine what female-led cinema in Bollywood can look like.

Interestingly, Taapsee and Vidya also shared screen space in the 2019 hit Mission Mangal, where they were part of the ensemble cast portraying scientists behind India's historic Mars Orbiter Mission.