Vidya Balan is set to woo audiences as Kantha in Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2, bringing her versatility to Tamil cinema. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, the actor reflects on the impact of The Dirty Picture, how she navigated stereotyping after its success, and her take on the objectification of women in South cinema. She also opens up about the evolution of female-led storytelling and her 21-year journey in films.

Vidya Balan on Jailer 2

When asked if she felt Jailer 2 would lead the South Indian film industry to look at her differently, Vidya said, “R Balki’s film won’t allow that because it’s a completely different character. I think, and I’m hoping, that when something works, people will come to you with more of the same thing. But I’ve realised in my career that if you wait it out, people will eventually offer you different kinds of parts.”