Vidya Balan nominated for TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential people

Starting filmy career in her late 20s wasn’t easy; she had no godfather or close links in the film industry that could have helped her to find a toehold in Bollywood. Vidya Balan, now 34, has emerged triumphant against all odds. In a short time, she has indeed carved a niche for herself among the cine-loving Indians, which many of her contemporaries can only think of.

The TIME magazine acknowledges her performance-driven acting skills by nominating her in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential people 2012. Vidya Balan joins the ranks of world leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes like Vladimir Putin, Aung San Suu Kyi, Lady Gaga, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and others to make it to the nominations of TIME’s Most Influential People.

After a slew of BO hits like The Dirty Picture and now Kahaani, Vidya is a name to reckon with in Bollywood. From playing a Bengali beauty in Parineeta to a pregnant woman in search of her husband in Kahaani, the wonderful actress has come a long way. TIME magazine introduces her in a beautiful short piece; read on:

“Do Bollywood heroines have sex? Thanks to Balan, the answer is finally yes, yes, yes! Balan started her career with romantic fluff, playing coy, chaste leading ladies, but has found critical acclaim (and box-office success) playing real women with real desires, from a 1970s soft-porn star to the sister of a murder victim who fights for justice. She’s more popular than ever, a Bollywood icon for the knowing woman of the new India.”

Vidya Balan is among five Indians on the poll list this year. Other Indians nominated are star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Gujarat’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi, social activist Anna Hazare, and Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Online voting is going on!

Will Vidya make it to the top 100 most influential people of the world?