'Parineeta' producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls Vidya Balan's audition; reveals her frustrated reaction questioning his authority: 'Who does he think he is?'

Vidya Balan’s Bollywood journey began with the film 'Parineeta,' a cinematic adaptation of a Bengali story by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. To mark the movie’s 20th anniversary, the cast and crew gathered for a special screening.

During the event, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed details about Vidya’s tough audition process, sharing a story about her frustrating yet ultimately successful journey to land the lead role.Read on to learn more about Vidya Balan's journey on landing the lead in this cult classic film.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls Vidya’s fiery audition moment

During the special screening, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed that many top actresses wanted the lead role in 'Parineeta,' but director Pradeep Sarkar insisted on an unknown actress from Chembur.

After about 20 auditions, Chopra asked for one final test. He said that before the final screen test, he could see a frustrated Vidya silently "abusing" him and questioning his demands. However, her final performance was so brilliant that he immediately told Sarkar to cast her.Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, “A lot of top heroines wanted to do Parineeta. But Pradeep Sarkar said there’s a new girl from Chembur. So I said, ‘Test this girl from Chembur.’

I don’t usually meet actors during screen tests. Vidya had gone through a lot of tests. Then I told Pradeep, ‘Let’s do one final test.’ Before the test, she abused me, I could see her saying, ‘Who does he think he is?’ By then, she had done 20–25 tests. But then she gave such a brilliant final test, it was unbelievable.

I told Pradeep, call her immediately.”

Vidya Balan’s emotional moment on learning about the role

The actress shared a memorable moment from when she learned she had been cast in the film during an Enrique Iglesias concert. She was with Chopra’s assistant when Pradeep Sarkar called, but she asked to call back since she was in the middle of the show.

However, Chopra wanted to speak to her immediately. Vidya recalled, “‘Teri zindagi badalne waali hai, bahar nikal (Your life is about to change, come outside).’ I was like, ‘What are you going to tell me, that I didn’t get the part again?’ I didn’t think otherwise for a second, because I had gone through so many tests.

But he said, ‘Come out.’ So I came out and he told me on the phone, ‘You’re my Parineeta.’ And I started crying right there.

It was a crazy moment.”

Dia Mirza reflects on Parineeta’s impact on her career

Dia Mirza, who also played a key role in ‘Parineeta’, was present at the event and spoke about how the film was a significant milestone in her career. She said, “Parineeta was a remarkable experience because up until then I never felt respected as an artist. And it was actually my first working experience where I felt respected. It’s a very rich experience because I think what Dada did, of course, he was a meticulous planner and he had an extraordinary vision, and he would rehearse us to death, but his love for every character, his love for the story, his attention to detail made the experience so rich and so wonderful.

And you know, Vidhu Vinod Chopra is the only producer I have worked with who has given me a bonus, not once, but twice. I always say that in an industry that really struggles to give women their place of respect, it is just so incredible to work with two men who gave us nothing but that, every step of the way. And I’m so grateful that 20 years later, I’m getting this opportunity to share this with all of you. And that bonus came to every crew member.”

Vidya Balan opens up about early challenges

Although Vidya Balan has always expressed her thanks to Vidhu Vinod Chopra for giving her a break, she recently opened up about some difficulties she faced early in her career, including being pressured to undergo cosmetic surgery.

About 'Parineeta'

'Parineeta' is a musical romance drama film directed by Pradeep Sarkar, set in 1960s Calcutta and follows the complex relationship between Lalita, essayed by Vidya Balan and Shekhar, played by Saif Ali Khan, who are childhood friends. Their unspoken love is tested by societal expectations, class divides, and the arrival of a wealthy outsider, Girish, played by Sanjay Dutt.

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