When Vidya Balan spoke about the polarisation of India: "It’s not just politics, it is also social media"

During the promotions of her 2024 film Do Aur Do Pyaar, in an interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, Vidya was asked whether India has become more polarised in terms of religion.

• Vidya Balan says India is more religiously polarised now than before
• She blames social media for increasing polarisation and identity-seeking
• Vidya prefers donating to healthcare and education over religious institutions

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Vidya Balan is one of those actresses who has often shied away from openly expressing her opinions on public issues. However, in an earlier interview, she candidly shared her views on the growing religious polarisation in India, noting how people seem to be desperately searching for a sense of identity, and emphasising that our nation did not have a religious identity before.

During the promotions of her 2024 film Do Aur Do Pyaar, in an interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, Vidya was asked whether India has become more polarised in terms of religion. She replied, “I feel we are definitely more polarised."

She elaborated, “As a nation, we did not have a religious identity before, but now I don’t know why… It’s not just politics, it is also social media, because we are all lost in this world and looking for an identity, which we don’t have organically, we are looking for things to attach ourselves to.”

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Vidya further highlighted the trend of people seeking affiliations to define themselves, whether through religion or wokeness. She pointed out that social media has exacerbated this polarisation, observing that "we are lonelier than ever." She added, “At a very superficial level, we are attaching ourselves to ideas and concepts conveniently… The world is polarised today, it is not just one country.”

Also read: Vidya Balan reveals she was told to look 'Younger' than Shahid Kapoor in Kismat Konnection

Despite her deep spirituality and daily puja rituals, Vidya revealed that she prefers to direct her philanthropic efforts towards areas like healthcare, sanitation, and education, rather than contributing to religious institutions. She explained, “If someone asks me for a donation to build a religious structure, I never donate. I say if you are building a hospital, a school, or a toilet, I will happily contribute. But not to anymore religious institutions.”

On the professional front, Vidya Balan was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside Madhuri Dixit, Kartik Aaryan, and Triptii Dimri in key roles, which released in 2024.