Vidya Balan Shares the Emotional Moment Behind Her Big Break

Vidya Balan’s rise to stardom has a twist straight out of a film script. Recently, she shared that her Bollywood debut Parineeta (2005) was offered in the most extraordinary circumstances—during an Enrique Iglesias concert.

Reflecting on that life-changing night, Vidya mentioned to Bombay Times, “In 2004, my friend Pavitra and I attended Enrique’s concert in Mumbai. It was during this event that director Pradeep Sarkar contacted me with an offer for Parineeta. My phone was off while we tried to get closer to the stage. Pradeep couldn’t reach me, so he called Pavitra, asking where I was.”

What transpired next felt magical. “Pavitra handed the phone to me. Pradeep told me Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted to speak to me. I indicated that I was at a concert and asked to call him back later. Then, Mr. Chopra came on the line and insisted, ‘You need to get out of that venue for a moment,’” she recounted.

Vidya and her friend reluctantly made their way to the exit, and that’s when destiny intervened. “VVC declared, ‘You are my Parineeta.’ As Enrique returned to the stage and performed Hero, the moment became surreal. I burst into tears. My body was trembling; it was a pivotal chapter in my life,” she added.

Looking back, Vidya sees this convergence of events as fate, even poetic. “I found my big break at an Enrique concert. So when asked if I’ll attend his show, I chuckle, thinking it’s almost a celebration of my 20 years in cinema,” she noted happily.

If given an opportunity to dedicate a song to her idol, she knows which one to choose. “I would dedicate ‘Piyu Bole’ from Parineeta to Enrique. That would be poetic justice,” she said with a smile.

The Excitement for Enrique Iglesias in Mumbai

Mumbaikars are buzzing with excitement as Enrique Iglesias prepares to return to Mumbai after over two decades. The pop icon is set to perform at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex on October 29 and 30, marking his highly anticipated comeback to India after 13 years.

Enrique’s last performance in India was during his Euphoria World Tour in 2012, which included shows in Pune, Gurugram, and Bengaluru. This tour followed his initial visit to India eight years earlier, which included concerts in Mumbai and Bengaluru, notably at the same venue he returns to this year.