Vidya Balan said she used to smoke 2-3 cigarettes a day after ‘The Dirty Picture’: understanding how addiction works

How does addiction work? (Photo: Vidya Balan/Instagram)

Vidya Balan, the powerhouse actor known for her versatility, once faced an unexpected challenge – cigarette addiction. This stemmed from her portrayal of the iconic Silk Smitha in the movie "The Dirty Picture."

During an interaction on UNFILTERED by Samdish, Vidya revealed, “I had smoked before shooting for the film. I knew how to smoke but I didn’t really smoke…you know what it is. But as a character, you can’t just fake it. I couldn’t have that hesitation because there is a certain perception about women who smoke. Much less now, far more before.”

Talking about how she started smoking regularly after The Dirty Picture, she said, “After The Dirty Picture, I got addicted. I would smoke 2-3 cigarettes a day.”

Arouba Kabir, emotional & mental health professional, and founder of Enso Wellness, explained how actors often immerse themselves deeply in their roles to portray characters authentically, which can sometimes lead to emotional and psychological challenges and trigger their issues and challenges.

Balan's story is a stark reminder of the dangers of smoking. Despite acknowledging the health risks, the initial enjoyment and social aspects can be enticing. Quitting, however, is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. But first, let's understand why we get addicted in the first place.

Vidya Balan developed smoking addiction after The Dirty Picture. (Still from the movie)

How does addiction work?

Dr Kedar Tilwe, consultant psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said that the reasons behind addiction are usually multifactorial, including biological reasons or genetic predisposition, peer pressure, and social influences.

"It can be precipitated by our anxiety or mood swings especially as the substance seems to provide temporary relief but later disrupting the neuro-transmitter systems. And as we learn this behaviour and indulge in it repeatedly, over time, we become addicted to it, developing dependence and tolerance symptoms requiring higher and higher amounts of alcohol or nicotine to satisfy our cravings and facing withdrawal features, which makes it difficult to try and quit the substances, leading us to getting addicted to them," Tilwe explained in an interaction.

How to quit

To quit smoking, individuals first need to know and accept that, they are not addicted to the substance but what the substance gives them, said Kabir.

Establishing a clear diagnosis from a trained professional is a must as it helps to identify the intensity and figure out which method is likely to help, added Dr Tilwe.

How to quit (file)

After this, we need to find strategies to overcome, such as:

1. Seeking Support: Talking to a counselor, a professional can provide encouragement and guidance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help individuals identify triggers and develop coping strategies.

2. Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Using products like nicotine patches or gum can help manage withdrawal symptoms.

3. Medications: Prescription medications can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

4. Lifestyle Changes: Engaging in regular physical activity and practicing stress-reduction techniques can support smoking cessation efforts.

It's essential for individuals trying to quit smoking to have a strong support system and to seek professional help if needed.