Vidhatri Bandi Calls Working With Vidya Balan in Jalsa a ‘Masterclass’, Reveals What the Actress Was Like On Set

Vidhatri Bandi has had the opportunity to work alongside some of Indian cinema’s most respected performers, but her experience with Vidya Balan on Jalsa remains particularly memorable. Recalling her time with the acclaimed actress, Vidhatri described the experience as nothing short of a learning opportunity. “Oh, masterclass. Vidya ma’am, you know, you’re sitting with like these seniors. It’s just like they make you feel so accepted. That’s a wonderful trait,” she said, highlighting the warmth and inclusiveness she experienced while working with the Jalsa star.

Vidya Balan has also become known for her playful side on social media, regularly sharing comedy videos and funny reels with her followers. When asked whether she witnessed that side of Vidya during the making of Jalsa, Vidhatri simply replied, “She does.” However, the actor pointed out that Vidya’s social media persona today was quite different from what she remembers from the time they worked together. Asked whether they ever created fun content or reels on the sets of the otherwise serious 2022 film, Vidhatri said, “No, no, no. I think back then she was not also doing reels. I think she started now, I think last few years. But back then, no, I don’t think so.”

Instead, what stood out to Vidhatri was Vidya’s energy and discipline while shooting. “She would come, she had a very playful, nice energy and she’s also very disciplined. She’s not so much on her phone when she’s on set,” she recalled. Vidhatri elaborated on how focused Vidya appeared during their working hours, saying, “At least from what I noticed, she’s very like, ‘I got to come.’ We would sit and we would rehearse. She would eat. She would be very, like, present. I barely caught her on her phone, especially on set.” For an actor working alongside an established performer, that level of concentration can itself become a lesson, and Vidhatri’s recollection offers an interesting glimpse into Vidya’s approach to her craft away from the camera.

Vidhatri’s own career has been marked by a willingness to take on performance-driven roles across films and streaming projects. Her role as Rohini George in Jalsa brought her into a story led by Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah, while she later appeared as Seerat alongside John Abraham in The Diplomat. She has also been part of projects such as Shiddat and digital series including Minus One: New Chapter and Scrub-A-Dub. Her early work in short films also earned recognition, including a Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Best Actress (Jury) for Frore.

The actor has continued to expand her range with projects across different formats, moving between independent cinema, streaming and mainstream films. Her work has often placed her alongside experienced performers, giving her opportunities to learn while establishing her own screen identity. That journey has also included Max, Min & Meowzaki, where she stepped into a leading role as Carol Sequera, sharing the screen with veteran actors including Naseeruddin Shah, Adil Hussain and Nafisa Ali. The project marked another significant step in a career that has steadily moved towards more substantial, performance-oriented parts.

For Vidhatri, though, the memories of Jalsa appear to be about more than simply being part of a successful film. Her description of Vidya Balan as a “masterclass” and her recollection of the actress being playful yet intensely present on set reveal what she took away from that experience. At a time when Vidya is increasingly entertaining audiences with her humorous social media presence, Vidhatri’s memories offer a different glimpse of the actress — one who, during Jalsa, kept her focus on rehearsals, performances and being fully present on set. “She would be very, like, present,” Vidhatri said, a quality that seems to have left a lasting impression on her.

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