7 Vidya Balan movies on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Voot to watch before Shakuntala Devi (2024)

Before making her Bollywood debut in 2005, actress Vidya Balan was known for her portrayal of Radhika Mathur, one of the sisters from the hit comedy sitcom Hum Paanch. Over the years, the actress has earned several accolades for her work including a National Film Award. The Dirty Picture actress also has a Padma Shri to her credit. Currently, Vidya Balan is gearing up for the release of the upcoming biopic titled Shakuntala Devi, which will release this month on Amazon Prime Video. While you wait for her latest film’s release, you can watch these 7 Vidya Balan movies on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+Hostar and Voot.

7 Vidya Balan movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Voot

1. KAHAANI – VOOT

Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Kahaani is one of the finest mystery thrillers ever made in the Indian film industry. It won’t be an exaggeration to call it the new yardstick to judge every other Bollywood thriller. Whether it’s multiple plot twists in the storyline, exceptional performance by Vidya Balan or the supporting cast, every aspect makes this film worthy of the three National Film Awards it won. The story revolves around the adventures of Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant woman who travels to Kolkata in search of her missing husband.

2. MISSION MANGAL – DISNEY+ HOTSTAR

Starring an ensemble cast that includes Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Kirti Kulhari and Sharman Joshi, the film is inspired by the lives of ISRO scientists who contributed to the successful launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission. Vidya Balan plays Tara Shinde, Project director at ISRO who’s struggling to maintain work-life balance, but overcomes the obstacles to help her team turn their dream into a reality.

3. TUMHARI SULU – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Vidya Balan plays Sulochana aka Sulu, a vivacious, ambitious and happy-go-lucky housewife. Her life turns around when she becomes an RJ after auditioning for a late-night show of a radio station, and it becomes an instant hit. Directed by Suresh Triveni, this film was a critical and commercial success and was later remade in Tamil as Kaatrin Mozhi. Apart from Vidya Balan, the film also features Neha Dhupia, Manav Kaul, RJ Malishka and Vijay Maurya.

4. PARINEETA – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Vidya Balan made her Bollywood debut with this film that also features actors Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel of the same name, this musical romantic movie revolves around Lolita and Shekhar and how their love story is cut short by the arrival of a man named Girish. This film also marked the directorial debut of Pradeep Sarkar, who went on to win the National Award for Best Debut Film. Apart from the leading cast, the film also saw some impressive performances by Dia Mirza, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Raima Sen and Ninad Kamat.

5. NO ONE KILLED JESSICA – NETFLIX

In 1999, when Jessica Lal refused to serve alcohol to three men at an event, she was shot dead by Manu Sharma, son of an Indian politician. Despite many eye-witnesses, Jessica’s sister Sabrina is helpless and unable to bring the perpetrators to justice, until a reporter offers to help her. Vidya Balan features in this hard-hitting thriller as Sabrina Lal, Jessica’s sister while Rani Mukerji plays the reporter. Based on the true story, the movie also features Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Neil Bhoopalam, Rajesh Sharma and Manoj Bakshi among others. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film was a sleeper hit and received a positive response from the critics.

6. BEGUM JAAN – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Directed by Srijit Mukherji, this period drama revolves around Begum Jaan, whose brothel becomes a target of the government officials during partition. Refusing to part ways with the brothel amidst the changing political scenario, Begum Jaan and her girls decide to put up a brave fight against all those who want to get rid of them. Inspired from the 2015 Bengali film Rajkahini, the movie features Vidya Balan, Gauhar Khan, Ila Arun, Chunky Pandey, Pallavi Sharda, Rajesh Sharma and Naseeruddin Shah.

7. BHOOL BHULAIYAA – NETFLIX

If we have to describe Vidya Balan’s performance as Manjulika in one word, we’d call it phenomenal. Despite the film being over a decade old, Manjulika continues to be an integral part of the Indian pop culture. Directed by Priyadarshan, the story revolves around a family who experiences inexplicable paranormal activities after they move into a haunted palace. Hilarity ensues when they have a psychiatrist (played by Akshay Kumar) as a guest, who helps them solve the mystery. Apart from Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar, the film also features Shiney Ahuja, Ameesha Patel, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi and Vikram Gokhale.

7 Vidya Balan movies on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Voot