Vidya Balan is returning to Tamil cinema with a new project directed by R. Balki, marking the filmmaker and actor’s reunion nearly two decades after Paa. The actress has shared the first glimpse from the project, describing it as a “new beginning.”
Vidya Balan has begun work on a new Tamil film with filmmaker R. Balki, bringing the two together again nearly 17 years after their last collaboration.
The actress recently offered fans a first look at the project through her Instagram Stories. Although the film is currently untitled and its storyline remains under wraps, Balan’s post appears to confirm that work on the project is underway.
Vidya Balan shares first glimpse from new Tamil film
In the behind-the-scenes photograph, Vidya Balan can be seen holding a script while wearing glasses and sporting a long braid.
The actress captioned the image:
“New Beginnings #NewTamilFilm with #RBalki”
The post has given fans an early glimpse of Balan’s appearance for the project, although the makers have not yet revealed the film’s title, plot or details about her character.
For now, the production is being kept relatively private, with Balan’s social media update serving as the first major indication of the new collaboration.
Vidya Balan and R Balki reunite after Paa
The upcoming Tamil project marks another chapter in Balan and Balki’s professional association.
The pair previously worked together on ** Paa (2009)**, the acclaimed drama starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan.
Balan played Vidya, the mother of Bachchan’s character Auro, in the film. The project was one of Balki’s early directorial works and brought the filmmaker and actress together nearly two decades before their latest collaboration.
The new Tamil film therefore marks their first project together since Paa.
Unlike their previous collaboration, however, the details of their latest project remain largely undisclosed.
What is next for Vidya Balan?
The new Tamil film is one of several projects currently associated with Vidya Balan.
She is set to appear in ** Jailer 2** alongside Rajinikanth, with the film scheduled for theatrical release on October 15, 2026.
The makers recently introduced Balan’s character Kantha through a first-look character teaser. Details about the role have largely been kept under wraps, although reports have described her character as Mithun Chakraborty’s eldest daughter.
The Rajinikanth-led film is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and serves as a follow-up to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer.
Vidya Balan also has an Akshay Kumar comedy
Balan is also part of an untitled comedy featuring Akshay Kumar, directed by Anees Bazmee.
The film reportedly stars Raashii Khanna alongside the lead pair and is scheduled for a December 4, 2026 theatrical release.
A shooting schedule for the project has already taken place in Kerala.
With Jailer 2, the new Tamil project with Balki and her upcoming comedy with Akshay Kumar, Balan has several projects across different genres and languages lined up.
For now, however, it is her reunion with Balki that has caught attention, particularly because the filmmaker and actor are returning to work together after their long gap following Paa.
