Vidya Balan photographed at an event.
New Delhi:
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan said that women's empowerment is not just a national issue, but should also be regarded as a personal issue.
"I think we have a long way to go before every woman in the country feels empowered. But I do think that with each passing day, some woman is discovering her own power, so women's empowerment is not just a national issue. First, it's a personal issue, then a regional issue, then a national issue and then a universal one. But, most importantly, I think it has to start being a personal issue as we have to each discover our own power," Vidya told IANS in an interview.
Vidya is also the brand ambassador for national sanitation. Last month, she toured Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for a campaign which aimed to make 100 villages open defecation-free. The Kahaani actress also said that she is an "unofficial" spokesperson for women's rights.
The 36-year-old actress, who played a victim of domestic violence in Hamari Adhuri Kahani, also said that "everyone can be a spokesperson by discovering the strength and the power for leading a life of one's desire."
Vidya also said that she is living her life on her own terms and is glad that women are getting more leverage in the film industry nowadays. (Also Read: Vidya Balan: Actresses Now Object to Being Objectified)
"I feel very proud to say that I've been a part of some path-breaking films. I've had the good fortune. I've experienced that change myself, and it is definitely better for actresses today. And it can only get better from here," she said.
Vidya also won a National Film Award for playing the role of Silk Smitha in the 2011 film The Dirty Picture.
The Paa actress also spoke about the roles which she likes to portray on-screen.
"If I connect with the character or the story, or if this is the story I want to tell and this is the person I want to experience, then I decide to do the film," she added.
"I think we have a long way to go before every woman in the country feels empowered. But I do think that with each passing day, some woman is discovering her own power, so women's empowerment is not just a national issue. First, it's a personal issue, then a regional issue, then a national issue and then a universal one. But, most importantly, I think it has to start being a personal issue as we have to each discover our own power," Vidya told IANS in an interview.
Vidya is also the brand ambassador for national sanitation. Last month, she toured Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for a campaign which aimed to make 100 villages open defecation-free. The Kahaani actress also said that she is an "unofficial" spokesperson for women's rights.
The 36-year-old actress, who played a victim of domestic violence in Hamari Adhuri Kahani, also said that "everyone can be a spokesperson by discovering the strength and the power for leading a life of one's desire."
Vidya also said that she is living her life on her own terms and is glad that women are getting more leverage in the film industry nowadays. (Also Read: Vidya Balan: Actresses Now Object to Being Objectified)
"I feel very proud to say that I've been a part of some path-breaking films. I've had the good fortune. I've experienced that change myself, and it is definitely better for actresses today. And it can only get better from here," she said.
Vidya also won a National Film Award for playing the role of Silk Smitha in the 2011 film The Dirty Picture.
The Paa actress also spoke about the roles which she likes to portray on-screen.
"If I connect with the character or the story, or if this is the story I want to tell and this is the person I want to experience, then I decide to do the film," she added.
