Vidya Balan Speaks Out On Nepotism And Na-Real Award Controversy: ‘I Was Broken Because…’

Vidya Balan Opens Up on Nepotism and Na-Real Award Incident: 'It Wasn't Just a Joke'

Vidya Balan is certainly a star now, but she has had some problems in the Hindi film business in the past. Some of these are bad things that have been happening in Bollywood for years, like nepotism. Vidya talked about being a victim of nepotism on the show Unfiltered with Samdish. She said that the worst time was when she won the Na-Real award at the Filmfare Awards 2008 for her costumes in Sajid Khan’s buddy comedy Heyy Babyy in 2007.

Vidya Balan Unevils Na-Real Award Controversy

Vidya Balan said, “I asked, ‘Why me?’ when they told me they were going to give me the Na-Real award.” My clothes aren’t just what I choose, right? I wasn’t sure about anything at that point because I was so new.”

They stated, “No, we’re just having fun, so we’re going to present you with this award.” “Fine,” I said, “but I’m going to tell the costume designer and the director.” They told me not to, though. “I don’t think that’s nice,” Vidya said.

It was the first time she slept with a family member. “That evening, I was broken.” I was broken because I was by myself a lot. In fact, I learned that not coming from a film family does make a difference. Because no one else is watching out for you.  You can’t…just because I don’t have a certain shield with me. It was okay with me because I thought it was a joke. I thought I was the only one being made fun of, but then it stopped being funny,” Vidya said.

What did Na-Real win?

At the 2008 Filmfare Awards, Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan co-hosted and gave out the Na-Real awards, which are like the Razzies but for Bollywood movies. They went to Vidya, was sitting in the crowd, and gave her the award, which was shaped like a coconut.

In her speech of thanks, Vidya said, “I was asked to trust Sajid Khan and Manish Malhotra.” Then Saif and Shah Rukh laughed that her clothes made sense since it was Sajid.

The actress returned the costume designed by Manish Malhotra and gave feedback to Sajid Khan, who directed Hey Babyy. When Shah Rukh and Saif asked for her opinion on their appearance, she gave an honest response.
Vidya was last seen in Do Aur Do Pyaar. In Bhool Bhulaiya 3, she will play Manjulika again, which is a famed part.