Vidya Balan gets candid about awkward on-screen intimacies, recalls actor who didn't brush after eating Chinese: 'Could smell garlic, soy sauce…'

Economic Times

4 days ago

Agencies Vidya Balan recently shared humorous and uncomfortable early career experiences in an interview. She recounted an intimate scene complicated by a co-star's garlic-laden breath and her debut film, Parineeta, where Sanjay Dutt eased her nervousness during their first on-screen kiss.
When viewers see passion unfold on screen, little do they realize the strange—and sometimes smelly—realities behind the camera. In a light-hearted yet revealing conversation with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India , Vidya Balan opened up about some of the most personal, humorous, and uncomfortable moments of her journey in cinema. Among the anecdotes that surfaced was a particularly awkward incident early in her career. Without naming names, Vidya recalled shooting an intimate scene with a co-star who, just before their romantic moment, had gorged on Chinese food—and skipped brushing afterward. 'I could smell garlic, soy sauce, everything… and he hadn't brushed,' Vidya quipped, laughing. 'In my head, I was thinking, 'Do you not have a partner?'' Despite the urge, she didn't offer him a mint. 'I was too new, too scared,' she admitted with a smile. Her honesty, delivered with characteristic wit, strikes a chord with many young professionals navigating early career awkwardness, especially in industries like acting where physical proximity is part of the job description.
The tone of the interview shifted when Vidya reminisced about shooting her debut film Parineeta —the movie that launched her into the public eye and into hearts. In a particularly emotional moment, she recounted shooting her very first on-screen kiss with none other than Sanjay Dutt.
Despite being a seasoned actor, Dutt surprised her with his vulnerability. 'He came up to me and said, 'I'm nervous. How do we do this?' And I thought, he's so seasoned… and he's saying this!' she laughed. But it wasn't nervousness—it was kindness. Dutt's gesture, Vidya explained, was aimed at easing her discomfort as a newcomer. 'He made me feel safe. It put me at ease because I didn't know what I was doing.' What stayed with her most wasn't just the scene, but what happened after. 'He kissed my forehead and said, 'You're doing great.' That's why Sanjay Dutt is Sanjay Dutt.'
Marking two decades in cinema, Vidya remains unshaken by the industry's harsh beauty standards. 'I think I am shamelessly optimistic,' she said during the same interview. 'I've had people tell me I need to lose weight. But I've always believed there is nothing wrong with me.'
That self-belief, she emphasized, helped her stay grounded through the pressures of stardom. 'I was still playing leads. Those insecurities have never really weighed me down.' Now, for the first time in years, Vidya finds herself in a state of peace. 'I'm not experiencing stress. I'm reading scripts, meeting people… I've locked in two films,' she shared, though remaining tight-lipped about the details.