In today's world of 'bold is beautiful' Vidya Balan with her traditional Indian looks and outlook provides a refreshing change from all the controversy hungry starlets we usually get to see in the media. The traditional Tamil Iyer girl from Palghat has indeed come a long way from when she thought she was 'ugly' after film after film of hers was shelved down south.

She was born on 1st January 1978 and studied in St Anthony's school in Mumbai and graduated from St. Xavier's college. When she was doing her MA from Mumbai University she was offered a Malyalam film called Chakram with southern superstar Mohanlal but it was shelved, as was her second Malyalam film. She was removed from a Tamil film on grounds of 'non-performance'.

She started acting in various ad films and music videos, and for a while also acted in the comedy series Hum Paanch where she played the hilariously hearing and visually impaired Radhika.

However luck shined on her slowly, as in 2003 she acted in a Bengali film Bhalo Theko which was well received and for which she even got the 'Anand Lok Puraskar'. In 2006 she was chosen for Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parineeta but not without giving 17 make up shoots and 30 screen tests!

After that, Bollywood woke up and noticed her elegance and traditional Indian looks. She won numerous awards for her character Lolita in Parineeta, including that of best debutant. Since then she has acted in many Hindi films and the same Tamil producer who had earlier rejected her came to sign her in Dasavatharam opposite Kamal Hassan but this time it as her turn to refuse.

A living example of patience and dedication!