'Begum Jaan', 'Ishqiya', and 'Bobby Jasoos': Underrated Vidya Balan movies that prove her versatility

Set during Partition, Vidya played the fiery madam of a brothel coerced to fight for her survival when the Radcliffe Line cuts through her house. The film didn’t resonate with audiences, but the performance she gave as 'Begum Jaan' was both ferocious and heartbreaking—a salient reminder of her capacity to play strong, layered women.

'Eklavya,' directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, had a great cast, Amitabh Bachchan & Saif Ali Khan, but Vidya played Rajjo, and she certainly held her own. The film was unsuccessful at the box office but was India's official entry to the Oscars. Vidya's subtle performance added emotional heft to the story rooted in royal strife.

Despite receiving negative reviews from critics for its melodrama, the film displayed Vidya’s talent for encapsulating pure emotional distress. Vasudha, torn between her duty to her abusive husband and her affections for another (played by Emraan Hashmi), delivered the film’s emotional burden with absolute ease.

'Ishqiya' was an appealing blend of dark humor and suspense that showcased Vidya in a never-before-seen avatar.As Krishna Verma, the widow, she added seduction, intelligence, and vulnerability to the character.Her chemistry with Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi will always be electric.Even later, the movie never achieved the deserved mainstream recognition, as it is considered a cult now.

In the Jessica Lal murder case, Vidya played Sabrina Lal with a certain quiet strength and dignity. Vidya's controlled performance counterweighted Rani Mukherji's explosive performance, but since the film differed from a mass entertainer, it is often forgotten. Vidya's depiction of sadness and perseverance is one of her more heart-wrenching performances.

Vidya had a spectacular debut with 'Parineeta,' in which she played the lovely Lalita opposite Saif Ali Khan. 'Parineeta' is a brilliant adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, yet Vidya brought innocence, strength, and grace to her performance. Although it did receive accolades, it is rarely talked about anymore, even though it is definitely one of the great debut performances in Bollywood.

Shakuntala Devi was a true victim of the pandemic, only to see its way released on OTT, where it did not garner its theatrical success. As the "Human Computer," Vidya brought warmth, humor, and brilliance to the role, making you feel emotions around mathematics.