‘I Was Scared’: Vidya Balan on Playing Amitabh Bachchan’s Mother in Paa

Vidya Balan recalls initial fear, criticism over playing Big B’s mother in Paa: ‘Thought R Balki had lost it’

As Vidya Balan marks 20 years in the Hindi film industry this August, the actor looked back at one of her boldest and most controversial casting decisions—playing Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in Paa (2009). In a recent interview with Filmfare, Vidya revealed that the role invited significant backlash and confusion at the time.

“When R Balki first told me he wanted me and Abhishek [Bachchan] to play Mr. Bachchan’s parents, I genuinely thought he’d lost it,” she said. “It sounded absurd. But once he read the script to me, something changed. I kept coming back to it, and the actor in me kept saying, ‘Do it.’”

Despite being warned that the role of an older woman could end her career, Vidya eventually chose to trust her instincts. “Everyone told me not to do it, that it would finish me. But I asked two friends—a writer and an ad filmmaker—to read the script. Both urged me to take it on. That’s when I stopped listening to the noise and started listening to myself.”

She added that she had done films before that succeeded commercially but didn’t connect with her creatively. “I never wanted to feel that disconnect again,” she said.

About Paa
Directed by R Balki, Paa starred Amitabh Bachchan as Auro, a 12-year-old boy with progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes rapid aging. In a creative reversal of real-life roles, Abhishek Bachchan played Auro’s father, and Vidya portrayed his mother. The film earned critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards including National Film Awards for Best Actor (Amitabh Bachchan) and Best Hindi Feature Film.

What’s Next for Vidya?
Vidya was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, co-starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit. The horror-comedy turned out to be a box office blockbuster, raking in ₹389 crore globally. While she has yet to announce her next film, her 2005 debut Parineeta will be re-released in theatres across India for a limited run starting August 29.