Ahead Of Sherni, Watch These 6 Films Featuring Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan films: Vidya Balan has created her own brand with her choice of roles in films that are majorly gender-focused. From playing a single mother raising a child with a genetic disorder in the film Paa to portraying the glamorous Silk Smitha owning the South Indian film industry in her times, the actor has taken up challenges when it comes to her selection of characters.

After her digital debut with Shakuntala Devi last year, Balan is back with another film titled Sherni. The actor plays the role of a forest officer in the film which will explore "the complex issues of conflict between humankind and animals".

Here are some Vidya Balan films you must see:

Shakuntala Devi

The biographical drama is based on the life of a gifted mathematician, Shakuntala Devi. The film tells the story of a young girl who is later dubbed as human-computer, Written and directed by Anu Menon, Shakuntala Devi narrates the journey of the woman navigating through obstacles in personal and professional life.

Mission Mangal

In the multi-starrer drama film Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, and Kirti Kulhari, Balan plays one of the scientists involved in the Mars mission. The female-led film traces the journey of a group of scientists at ISRO who work tirelessly towards the Mars Orbiter Mission.

Tumhari Sulu

In the comedy-drama Tumhari Sulu, the actor plays a simple and ambitious housewife Sulochana who has big dreams. With her minimum resources, she keeps on trying things to have a career of her own. When she wins a contest conducted by a radio channel, doors open for her to achieve what she always desired.

Begum Jaan

The Srijit Mukherji directorial tells the story of the Pakistan-India partition through the eyes of sex workers who lose their home over the division. Begum Jaan, played by Vidya Balan, runs a brothel that is situated on the border of the two countries. She fights to save her home and her people amid the chaotic political circumstances.

Dirty Picture

The 2011 release biographical film is loosely based on the life of South Indian actor Silk Smitha. The Vidya Balan starrer isn’t officially a biography of the actor but inspired by her life and many of her southern contemporaries.

The story spans out as Reshma, who aspires to become an actor, leaves her village and reaches Chennai to fulfil her dream. After landing an unexpected role she becomes an overnight sensation. She gets renamed Silk and her journey to fame and downfall is traced in the film.

No One Killed Jessica

The crime thriller based on a true event released a decade ago when mainstream Hindi cinema was nowhere near exploring female-led projects. The film starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan in lead roles revolves around the murder of a woman named Jessica at an elite bar in Delhi.

When Jessica refuses to serve a son of a big-time politician after the last call, he shoots her in rage. Vidya Balan essays the role of the victim’s sister who sets on a mission to seek justice for her sister.