Vidya on growing religious polarization in India

Vidya Balanwho is seen sharing screen space with Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D'Cruz and Sendhil Ramamurthy in the recently released film Do Aur Do Pyaar, shared her perspective on growing up religious polarization in India and how people desperately search for a sense of identity, mentioning that our nation did not have a religious identity before.
During your interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, when Vidya was asked if India has become more polarized in terms of religion, she said, “I feel like we are definitely more polarized. As a nation, before we didn't have a religious identity, but now I don't know why… It's not just politics, it's 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 which ones to hold on to.”
Vidya began to highlight the tendency for people to seek affiliations to define themselves, whether through religion or awakening. She noted that social media has played an important role in worsening this polarization, mentioning that “we are lonelier than ever.” “On a very superficial level, we are clinging to ideas and concepts in a convenient way… The world is polarized today, it is not just one country,” she added.

Despite her deep spirituality and daily puja rituals, Vidya revealed her preference for directing philanthropic efforts towards areas such as health, sanitation and education, rather than donating 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 bathroom, I will be happy to contribute. But not for more religious institutions.”

Vidya also expressed caution regarding political comments, citing concerns about possible backlash and the impact on film projects. “Politics se bohot darr lagta hai, phir humko ban-van kardege toh (I am very afraid of politics; they might ban us or blacklist us). Fortunately, that didn't happen to me, but now actors are wary of talking about politics because you don't know who will be offended. Especially around a movie release, it's 200 people's jobs that are at stake, so I just say stay away from politics. This has happened because of social media, people are offended by everything. They give their opinions even on topics they don't know much about. So it’s better to close your mouth and keep working,” she noted.