Bengaluru: The fifth edition of the Alliance Literary Festival (ALF) 2026 opened on a powerful and inspiring note as acclaimed actor Vidya Balan inaugurated the festival at Alliance University’s Central Campus in Anekal.
The festival, themed “HerStory: Celebrating Naari Shakti,” is being held alongside Alliance ONE 2026, the university’s flagship inter-college techno-cultural and sports fest dedicated this year to “Solving for Bengaluru.”
With over 5,000 attendees and more than 200 speakers and judges from literature, arts, media, sports, entrepreneurship and public policy, the three-day mega event has transformed the campus into a vibrant hub of ideas, dialogue and empowerment.
‘I Am All My Characters, Yet Uniquely Me’
Greeting students from across regions, Vidya expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said she felt energised by the young audience. The session unfolded as an intimate exploration of her cinematic journey and her reflections as a woman navigating the film industry.
When asked which version of herself she brought to the stage — given her many powerful on-screen personas — Vidya responded with characteristic wit. “Actors experience a kind of multiple personality disorder — but in a good way,” she laughed, adding that while she carries shades of every character she has portrayed, she remains uniquely herself.
Frames of Freedom: The Ongoing Quest
Responding to the idea of “Frames of Freedom,” Vidya reflected that freedom, for her, is about the ability to be authentic — to laugh wholeheartedly and live unapologetically. She described life as a continuous journey toward personal liberation, noting that the quest for freedom is universal and transcends background, gender or profession.
She emphasised that meaningful growth comes from engaging with diverse experiences and personalities, saying every story holds a lesson.
Embracing uniqueness in a world of comparisons
One of the most impactful moments came when the interviewer asked what advice she wished she had received at nineteen or twenty — particularly about women’s empowerment and beauty standards.
Vidya paused thoughtfully before saying that certain lessons are not given — they are lived.
She urged young women to embrace their uniqueness — strengths, flaws and limitations alike. “There is only one ‘you’ in this world,” she said, encouraging students to celebrate their individuality rather than mould themselves to fit external expectations.
Reflecting on her own journey with body image, Vidya shared that while society often imposed narrow beauty standards, she always felt beautiful within. “Self-perception is everything,” she stressed. “If you feel beautiful, you are.”
She advocated making mistakes, learning from them and appreciating oneself instead of constantly seeking validation.
Overcoming self-doubt: The power of acceptance
Addressing how she overcame self-doubt and sustained her career, Vidya credited her parents for nurturing an environment free from comparison. She revealed that neither she nor her sister was ever measured against others — a foundation that instilled confidence.
She warned against the dangers of comparison, especially in the age of social media, where curated perfection can distort reality. “Self-validation is key,” she said.
Recalling her own struggles with fitting in, dieting and trying to conform to conventional appearance standards, Vidya admitted that she eventually realised comfort and health matter far more than unrealistic ideals.
In a deeply resonant message, she shared a lesson she wished she had learned earlier: “Your body is sacred. Respect it.”
Cinema as a catalyst for transformation
When asked whether her characters shaped her personal growth, Vidya acknowledged that every role leaves an imprint.
She described The Dirty Picture as a turning point in her life. The film, she said, taught her that desirability has nothing to do with body size and that confidence is the most powerful attribute a woman can possess.
Speaking about her portrayal in Shakuntala Devi, Vidya said the role reinforced the importance of never being apologetic for one’s brilliance or ambition. Each character, she explained, offers liberation — not just to audiences, but to the actor herself.
“Cinema transforms you,” she reflected. “It teaches you lessons you didn’t know you needed.”
A message that resonated
As the session concluded, the applause from thousands of students echoed across the campus — not merely for a celebrated actor, but for a woman who spoke candidly about vulnerability, resilience and self-acceptance.
At a festival dedicated to “HerStory: Celebrating Naari Shakti,” Vidya Balan’s words stood as a powerful reminder that empowerment begins within — by embracing who you are, respecting your body, and refusing to let comparison define your worth.
