Wearing an orange and pink Rahul Mishra sari, Vidya Balan walks onto stage at The Anupam Kher show with a big smile and exuding elegance.

"I love people!" was one of the first things the actress said on the show aired Sunday when host Anupam Kher asked her where she gets the warmth that is so evident in her personality from.

But what happens when life isn't all rainbows and butterflies?

"Being around people makes me happy. Even during bad times, being surrounded by people makes me forget all that," said Vidya.

Talking about her struggle to find a footing in the industry, Vidya shared just how long she struggled for.

When a television serial that she had been shooting for, got unexpectedly cancelled and never saw the light of day, she was sent to audition for Ekta Kapoor's television comedy, Hum Paanch.

"Even though my mother was generally against the notion of me becoming an actor, she was supportive when I was offered Hum Paanch because of the wholesome image the show entailed," shared Vidya.

After working for a year an a half on Hum Paanch, Vidya eventually left the show due to her college attendance being affected. Soon after, an ad film for a detergent fell into her lap, where she had to play the mother of an eight-year-old. Vidya, aged 19 at the time, reluctantly did the ad and it proved to be a good exposure since she went on to do 90 advertisements after that.

"It was convenient, since the shoots were only for a day or two, and my education was not neglected."

Coming from a South Indian background, education was important in Vidya's family.

"My parents said that if I want to live in the house, I must complete my graduation first before taking up acting seriously."

Starting her career in the south, Vidya shared that the first film she shot was a Malayalam movie with Mohanlal.

"My mother only let me audition thinking I won't get it," said the Bobby Jasoos leading lady.

"The project titled Chakram shut down when Mohanlal and the director had an ego clash. Director Kamal had previously made eight successful movies with Mohanlal," said Vidya. "Hence, the media started saying that since I was the new addition in the equation, the shutdown of the project was probably my fault and I must be jinxed."

"I was rejected from twelve films after that," shared Vidya.

Though it took a toll on her self-esteem, she decided to approach theatre guru Satyadev Dubey to train her and was shocked when he asked to see her kundli.

"He [Satyadev Dubey] told me: 'If it's not written in the stars for you and you don't have a future, I would rather not invest my time in you.'"

Vidya wasn't comfortable with this attitude and decided not to pursue training with the guru.

After a year, Vidya signed yet another film which also shut down due to lack of money.

When she was offered a music video for the Indian band Euphoria, an opportunity she instantly grabbed, the director Pradeep Sarkar deemed her eyes lifeless. However, Vidya finally got the part after auditioning.

"I was at the lowest point when I met him [Pradeep Sarkar]. But [when I got the part], I felt that that spark was returning," shared Vidya.

Pradeep Sarker later offered Vidya her debut film, Parineeta (starring Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt) that catapulted her to stardom.

But like evertything else, Parineeta also didn't come to Vidya so easily.

Before confirming her part in the film, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra tested Vidya for months.

"I just got so sick of it that eventually I adopted an 'I don't care' attitude," conveyed the Shaadi Ke Side Effects star.

"I remember I was at a concert with my friends when I got the call from Mr Chopra to tell me that he was going to change my life," reminisced Vidya. "He told me I was his Parineeta in a very dramatic fashion. Standing there, my tears just wouldn't stop."

"He said I was like a piece of coal he were polishing to become a diamond and I am forever grateful to him and Pradeep Sarker for that."

Later, Vidya was offered The Dirty Picture, which she was very hesitant about.

"I don't even wear sleeveless and I had to show so much skin in the movie. I was apprehensive, but when I did it, it liberated something within me," shared Vidya.

Explaining why she prefers doing strong women-centric roles, Vidya said, "I can't just be happy doing a couple of scenes and a few songs. I need more to chew into, I can't resonate with roles like that."

Moving towards her personal life, the smitten star talks about her husband, Siddharth Roy Kapur.

"I was very restless in life, but after meeting Siddharth, I've become calmer. He really makes me enjoy life and what draws us closer is how passionate the two of us are about our work," gushed Vidya.

A personal achievement that made her believe that anything is possible was when she was chosen to be part of the Cannes Film Festival jury.

"I was initially very nervous when I met the President of the jury, Steven Speilberg. But after a day or two I would meet him like he was a friend," said Vidya. "He was so grounded; he'd ask me questions about food and family and my marriage. It was such a strange, yet thrilling feeling to know he cared enough to ask."

Talking about destiny, the 36-year-old talks about a higher power. She ended the show with inspiring words.

"Stop obsessing over what you want. Take that thought and put it out there in the universe. If it's meant to be, the universe will make it happen."