Vidya Balan Was Scared To Play Big B’s Mom In Paa

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has completed 20 years in the film industry this August. While looking back at her journey, she shared one of her boldest decisions—playing Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in Paa.

In a chat with Filmfare, Vidya said that when director R Balki first offered her the role, she was shocked. “I thought R Balki had lost it,” she said. “He told me he wanted Abhishek and me to play Mr Bachchan’s parents. It sounded strange. But then he read the script to me, and something changed. I kept thinking about it, and the actor in me said, ‘Do it.’”

Vidya added that many people warned her against the role. They said playing an older woman might end her career. But she got advice from two close friends—one a writer and one an ad filmmaker—and both told her to go ahead. That’s when she stopped listening to the noise and trusted her gut.

“I had done movies before that didn’t feel right. Even though they worked, I didn’t enjoy them. I never wanted to feel that way again,” she said.

About Paa
Paa, released in 2009, was directed by R Balki. Amitabh Bachchan played Auro, a 12-year-old boy suffering from a rare condition called progeria that causes fast ageing. In a unique twist, Abhishek Bachchan played his father, and Vidya Balan played his mother. The film was loved by both critics and audiences and won many awards, including a National Film Award for Best Actor (Amitabh Bachchan).

Vidya was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit. The movie was a big hit, earning ₹389 crore worldwide.

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