Bangalore: After her recent release, ‘The Dirty Picture’, Vidya Balan is back in news again for her bold topless pose in Dabboo Ratnani’s Calendar 2012. Its not the first time Vidya is proving herself to be daring and challenging. Vidya’s photo shoot, in previous year’s calendar, backless and topless, carrying paintbrushes in her hand left an everlasting impression in the mind of the viewers.

Vidya Balan is one of the talented actress Bollywood has today. Vidya was born in the year 1978 in Palakkad district of Kerala. Her character ‘Lolita’ in Parineeta made her a popular and leading actress in the Hindi film industry.

Before her bollywood debut in the year 2005, Vidya appeared in many of the leading brands’ advertisements. She was also featured in music videos of Pankaj Udhas, Euphoria, and Shubha Mudgal. She even tried her luck in TV serials such as Ekta Kapoor's 'Hum Paanch', and Ashok Pandit's 'Hanste Khelte'.

Vidya Balan got her first break in Parineeta, which was a huge hit. Lage Raho Munnabhai, Guru, Eklavya, Paa, Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica are some of the movies which gave Vidya’s career a boost and helped her establish a position in the glamour world of Bollywood. Her latest movie, ‘The Dirty Picture’, where she played the role of glam symbol Silk Smitha turned out to be a blockbuster in Bollywood. ‘Kahani’ directed by Sujay Gosh, is her upcoming project.

Vidya’s first movie Parineeta, released in the year 2005 fetched her many awards such as Star Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer, Filmfare Best Debut Award, Zee Cine Award Best Female Debut IIFA Award Best Female Debut and Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow – Female .She also won the Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for Paa and Ishqiya, apart from achieving Zee Cine and Stardust Awards for Ishqiya.

Vidya is actively involved in activities such as supporting children born with HIV and drug abuse, in association with Americans for Aids research and also finds time to attend events for Harvard Aids Institute.  Vidya also promotes books for children as a mean of encouraging education for young Indians.

Vidya completed her graduation in Sociology from St. Xavier's College and post graduation in the same subject from Bombay University. She was also a student of Prithvi Theaters' workshops.