Vidya Balan: I find it easier to follow my heart

New Delhi, Aug 13 Vidya Balan does not like to follow norms. She finds it easier to follow her heart. The actress says doing something that is not natural to you can be a painful process, which she realised a few years ago.

"I find it easier to follow my heart because I've tried in the past to follow the norm," Vidya told in a candid interview.

"I think when you do something that's not natural to you, or that's not authentic for you, that process is very painful. I realised that a few years ago, I think almost 10 years ago, and started to read my inner voice and follow that. I found that to be easier. When I think, 'ohh this is the right thing to do', it never works for me," she added.

Ask her if she is a rebel, Vidya said: "I don't see myself as a rebel. I think when people choose to do what they want as opposed to what is expected of them, they are often labelled as rebels. There's no intention to be a rebel or anything of that sort. I did what I wanted to do, but I know why someone would see me as a rebel."

After a stint on the small screen with "Hum Paanch", Vidya entered Bollywood with "Parineeta" in 2005. Since then, Vidya has been defying stereotypes be it while essaying mother to Amitabh Bachchan in "Paa" or the sultry siren in "The Dirty Picture" or her role of a full-of-life housewife in "Tumhari Sulu" or the flawless mathematician with flaws as a human being in "Shakuntala Devi".

There have been some misses as well, like "Heyy Babyy", "Kismat Konnection", "Ghanchakkar", "Shaadi Ke Side Effects", "Bobby Jasoos", "Hamari Adhuri Kahani" and "Begum Jaan".

When it comes to work, Vidya likes to own her decisions and doesn't discuss her work with anyone.

"When I make a choice, it's a personal decision. I'm only thinking whether this film is something that I

( With inputs from IANS )