Do Aur Do Pyaar, Vidya Balan’s upcoming film, is almost ready for release. The actress recently spoke out in an interview with The Indian Express on her experience seeing male performers be hesitant to share screen time with her in a film where a woman was the main.

When asked about the relative merits of films starring females and males, Vidya remarked, “Back in the day? I still don’t think it would be acceptable for them to appear in a film starring Vidya Balan or any other female-led picture, even in this day and age (rolls eyes). Truthfully, they’re losing out because we’re making better films than them. That is my sincere belief. The number of formula-based films is on the rise, while female-led films are incredibly captivating.”

‘If they are threatened, what can I do?’

A lot of people have been nice about it, but male celebrities don’t like it when women are the centre of attention, Vidya said. No one would be allowed to steal their thunder, in my opinion. I, however, never felt guilty about it. What am I to do if they feel threatened? (laughs)

Throughout her decades-long career, Vidya has been in numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films that centred on female characters. Among these films are Ishqiya, Jalsa, Tumhari Sulu, Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, No One Killed Jessica, and Sherni. For her role in The Dirty Picture, Vidya was also named best actress at the national level.

Besides Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy, she is a star in Do Aur Do Pyaar. The themes of infidelity and marriage are central to the Shirsha Guha Thakurta directorial. Theatres will start showing the picture on April 19.

Kartik Aaryan and Trippy Dimri’s next horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which is being directed by Anees Bazmee, will feature Vidya.