‘Nepo kids take notes’: Social media sparks conversation as Vidya Balan turns heads with magazine cover shoot

Actress Vidya Balan has turned heads with a new look for the cover of The Peacock Magazine’s July edition. The 46-year-old surprised fans with a picture on Instagram on Tuesday that has sparked conversations across social media.

The cover, titled ‘A Force to Reckon With’, shows Vidya in a pink gown with a plunging neckline, soft brown waves and minimal jewellery. The photoshoot highlights her evolving image while strengthening her position as a driving force in commercial cinema.

Social media platforms lit up with praise, with fans calling her ‘gorgeous’ and ‘stunning.’ Many admired the natural styling and applauded her for redefining beauty standards in Bollywood. “Beauty standard which needs to be praised >> size zero and filler culture,” wrote one fan. Another added, “All nepo kids who look like each other need styling tips from her on how to stand out.”

However, the shoot also drew criticism. Some social media users pointed out the apparent contradiction between her new image and her past statements on body positivity. “Someone championing body positivity has reduced to this?? What to say about this man,” said one Reddit user. Another added, “Only if she hadn’t previously said that losing curves makes women look like men and she doesn’t find that attractive.”