Waiting For Sherni? Watch These Five Films Starring Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan OTT Films: Following her digital debut last year with Shakuntala Devi, Vidya Balan is gearing up to return to the digital platform with another promising project, Sherni. In the much-anticipated film, directed by Amit V. Masurkar, the actor essays the role of a forest officer.

"It was the first time I heard a story of a tigress, a forest officer and it absolutely transported me to that world. It sounded so fresh," Balan said while speaking about her film in an interview. "I actually love his style of storytelling. They are like satires.  And I find that very unique because we don’t have that kind of stories in Hindi cinema".

Sherni will show the man vs animal conflict along with a parallel story of a woman’s survival in an extremely patriarchal setup. The film is slated to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 18.

Here are some films streaming on OTT platforms starring Vidya Balan: 

Kahaani

In the 2012 thriller, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the actor plays the role of a pregnant woman, Vidya Bagchi. She moves to Kolkata after her husband’s disappearance. Bagchi travels around the city looking for clues to reach her husband until she gets to a dead end.

Where to watch: Netflix

Shakuntala Devi

The Vidya Balan starrer biopic is based on the life of a gifted mathematician, Shakuntala Devi, who was later dubbed as human-computer. The film written and directed by Anu Menon, traces her journey from childhood days to worldwide fame. Shakuntala Devi narrates her story as the mathematician navigates through obstacles in personal and professional life.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Mission Mangal

The multi-starrer drama film is inspired by the stories of the team of scientists who played a crucial role in India’s Mars mission. The female-led film traces the journey of the group of scientists at ISRO who worked tirelessly towards the Mars Orbiter Mission. Besides Vidya Balan, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, and Kirti Kulhari in prominent roles.

Where to watch: Disney Hotstar+

Begum Jaan

When Pakistan-India partition is finalised, a brothel housing sex-workers from both the countries find that they might not have a home anymore. The Srijit Mukherji directorial film tells the historic tale through the eyes of these sex workers. Begum Jaan, played by Vidya Balan, runs a brothel that is situated on the border of the two countries. After the decision, she fights to save her home and her people amid the chaotic political circumstances.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Parineeta

In the romance-drama based on the popular novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan play the lead roles. Lolita, who is in love with her childhood friend Shekhar, discovers that his father plans to seize her uncle’s home. The revelations strains her relationship with Shekhar and seeds of jealousy is sowed when Lolita seeks help from Girish, a wealthy businessman.

Where to watch: Netflix

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