Vidya Balan: Wondered if I was doing enough in scene

A still from the film

A powerful film can make an actor explore new facets of themselves, helping them learn things about their art along the way. For Vidya Balan, who has built a rich filmography over the years, Sherni (2021) is one such project. Director Amit Masurkar's realistic style of filmmaking was admittedly a new process for the actor. "Sherni made me unlearn a lot of things as an actor. Amit's approach is different from other [filmmakers]. There were times when I wondered whether I was doing enough, whether I was getting the scene right. So, it's gratifying when people compliment me for Sherni," says Balan.

The actor's measured performance as divisional forest officer Vidya Vincent has won her a nomination in the Best Actor (Female): Film category of the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards. In telling the story of the protagonist's struggles to save a tigress from hunters and release her into the national park, the director highlighted the man-animal conflict. It was only when Balan immersed herself in the movie's universe that she fully understood how humans take the environment for granted. "I was also indifferent [towards wildlife conservation]. We've read about global warming and climate change, but none of that has impacted me as much as this story has."

It is to Masurkar's credit that he has skillfully tackled patriarchy and sexism through the protagonist's track, while staying true to the central theme. Balan seconds it, saying, "What I like about Vidya Vincent is that she is a woman of few words, and yet has the courage to stand up for what she believes in."

Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards

Vidya Balan has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Film category for Sherni. The other nominees are:

. Kiara Advani (Shershaah)
. Konkona Sensharma (Geeli Pucchi, Ajeeb Daastaans)
. Mrunal Thakur (Toofaan)
. Sanya Malhotra (Pagglait)
. Taapsee Pannu (Rashmi Rocket)

Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistawards to cast your vote.

You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.

Voting lines close on March 18.