Eight Powerhouse Performances by Vidya Balan

With the first film 'Kahaani', Vidya rewrote box-office history and paved way for more content-driven films made with stronger roles for actresses. With 'Kahaani 2', she reclaimed her glory after five consecutive flops post the prequel and proved viewers that they can never ever doubt her acting chops.

Definitely, her career-defining performance. Put any other actress in her place, and the film would've sunk. But Vidya stole the show as the sexually liberated siren, Silk, therefore bagging her first National Award besides numerous other accolades.

As the desperate and justice-seeking Sabrina Lal, whose sister Jessica Lal was murdered by the son of a political big shot, Vidya matched steps with Rani Mukherji who was equally at her best in the film.

With the Abhishek Chaubey directorial debut, viewers got a glimpse of a bolder Vidya who was unabashed about her sexuality even though she was playing a widow. As Krishna, Vidya was manipulative yet vulnerable. She offered a heavy-duty act with her expressive eyes.

With 'Paa', Vidya broke away from formulaic cinema and delivered a masterstroke performance, playing mother to Amitabh Bachchan, the lead whose character was suffering from progeria. She matched histrionics and surprised everyone with her grace and integrity.

Playing a victim of dissociative identity disorder, Vidya was spellbinding and horrifying, all at once. Her blood-stained eyes and maniacal expressions gave viewers, sleepless nights much after they had walked out of the theatre.

Playing a vivacious and effervescent RJ, Vidya was sunshine personified. You are bound to have a good morning when you listen to that voice.

In her debut film itself, Vidya displayed her undisputed acting prowess and proved why she is here to stay. Playing the shy and coy Lalita, her impressive debut won her several fans overnight, including Amitabh Bachchan.

A game-changer in her own right, she defied the conventional rules of stardom that actresses were bogged down by through generations. Delivering knock-out performances, one after the other, Vidya Balan cemented her position as an actress at par with leading heroes of Bollywood, who could carry a film on her own shoulders. Here's looking at eight of her best films that prove her as a powerhouse performer.