MUMBAI, July 16 — Actor Vidya Balan has once again taken the spotlight, this time for her striking appearance on the cover of The Peacock Magazine’s July edition. In a bold new photoshoot unveiled on Tuesday, the 46-year-old actor dons a deep red gown with a plunging neckline, complemented by soft brown hair and understated jewellery—prompting widespread praise for her glamorous transformation.
Titled “A Force to Reckon With”, the cover story celebrates Balan’s enduring impact on commercial cinema and her navigation of a traditionally male-dominated industry. But while the look has left many fans awestruck, it has also ignited debate about the evolving standards of body image and authenticity in celebrity styling.
“She’s looking absolutely gorgeous,” wrote one admirer on Instagram, where the image was shared by both the actor and the magazine. “She should experiment more with this kind of styling—she owns it!” commented another. Several social media users remarked how youthful and radiant Balan looked, with some praising the shoot for embracing a more natural, unfiltered beauty aesthetic.
“Finally, a beauty standard that breaks away from size zero and filler culture,” noted a fan, applauding the shoot for showcasing elegance without excessive airbrushing or artificial enhancements.
The styling also earned comparisons to the newer generation of Bollywood stars, with some viewers suggesting they could take cues from Balan’s distinctive presence. “If any of these nepo kids had been styled like this, people would lose their minds. Vidya is elegance, substance, and individuality,” read one viral comment.
Yet, not all reactions were celebratory.
Some critics pointed to what they saw as a contradiction between Balan’s earlier advocacy for body positivity and her visibly slimmer appearance in the shoot. “Didn’t she once say that losing curves makes women look like men and that she’d never go down that road? What happened to that?” questioned one Redditor. Another added, “It’s great she’s experimenting with fashion, but it feels off-brand for someone who has been a loud voice against superficial body norms.”
For years, Vidya Balan has been regarded as a body positivity icon in an industry often driven by rigid beauty standards. Known for rejecting the pressure to conform to size expectations early in her career, her styling choices and public statements have frequently emphasized self-acceptance and authenticity. Some critics now argue that the shift in her appearance undermines that message.
Still, others defended her right to evolve. “She’s allowed to explore new looks and styles just like anyone else. Body positivity doesn’t mean freezing in time—it means choice,” responded one fan in her support.
Vidya’s professional momentum continues as well. She was last seen in the 2024 blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, where she reprised her iconic role alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit. The film, a massive box office success, grossed over ₹400 crore globally. Earlier in the year, she also received critical acclaim for Do Aur Do Pyaar, a romantic comedy featuring Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy.
While the conversations around her image continue to swirl online, one thing remains clear—Vidya Balan knows how to command attention, both on screen and beyond.
