Vidya Balan Practiced 40 Days After 'Can't Dance' Remark

Vidya Balan heard words that could have crushed her confidence, but instead she turned them into fuel for one of Indian cinema's most iconic performances.

Choreographer Farah Khan once told the actor she "can't dance," a harsh assessment that might have discouraged many performers. Vidya responded by dedicating 35 to 40 days of intense practice for the climax dance sequence in the 2007 horror-comedy film Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

Director Priyadarshan recently shared the story while promoting his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla. He recalled how Vidya approached the challenge with determination, insisting she would prove the critics wrong.

The actor practiced alongside Vineeth Radhakrishnan, one of India's finest classical dancers. Despite the high bar set by performing with such an accomplished artist, Vidya matched his energy and precision in the "Mere Dholna" sequence.

Her dedication paid off in the most satisfying way possible. Farah Khan, the same choreographer who had dismissed her abilities, later praised Vidya's performance in the dance number.

Classical dancer Shobhana also attended and offered words of appreciation. Priyadarshan remembers Vidya telling him afterward that she would never forget the experience, calling it one of the best things he had done for her career.

Why This Inspires

Vidya's story resonates beyond Bollywood. She didn't argue with her critic or give up on her dream. Instead, she invested weeks of hard work to transform a weakness into a strength that audiences still celebrate nearly two decades later.

The "Mere Dholna" sequence has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless memes and remaining one of the most remembered moments from Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The film was one of 2007's biggest hits, starring Akshay Kumar, Shiney Ahuja, and Ameesha Patel.

Many cast members from that film are reuniting with Priyadarshan for Bhooth Bangla, including Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav. The new horror-comedy releases April 10, 2026.

Vidya later told Priyadarshan she knew she could never repeat that level of performance, but she didn't need to because she had already proven her point.