Actor Vidya Balan has raised questions about why modern feminism restricts to a stereotypical image. Speaking at the launch event of film critic Maithili Rao’s book ‘The Millennial Woman in Bollywood,’ Vidya asked why the modern woman is being “stereotyped.” The actress also spoke about her 2021 film ‘Sherni.’ In the Amit Masurkar-directed drama, Vidya is featured as an upright forest officer tasked to resolve the man-animal conflict. The film also stars Sharat Saxena, Vijay Raaz, Ila Arun, Brijendra Kala, Neeraj Kabi and Mukul Chaddha.
Vidya said, “Why can't a strong woman, a feminist, have a partner, also wish to enjoy traditional things and also wish to take a step back? Why is the modern woman being used as a typical example of what every woman must be? Why is the modern woman being stereotyped? Why empowerment and wanting to live as you please needs to be so exclusive.”
She talked about ‘Sherni’, where she essayed the character of Vidya Vincent. "That's why I loved Sherni so much. She took on these men, but in such a subdued manner, not needing to indulge in any chest-thumping. Why do we need to pigeonhole women in a certain way we wish to see them as empowered? Why can't women just be the way they wish rather than how we wish to see them in a modern feminist outlook?" Vidya added.
During the question and answer session, Vidya was asked if an end to the conversation around women's empowerment would signal that society has achieved equality. The actor said that it would 'take a very long time.’
On the work front, Vidya was last seen last year in ‘Jalsa’ a thriller film directed by Suresh Triveni. T-Series and Abundantia Entertainment produced it. The film also stars Shefali Shah. Jalsa presented a captivating tale of conflict between a top journalist (Vidya) and her cook (Shefali). It premiered on Prime Video and received positive reviews.