Vidya has broken the conventional heroine mould and is now ruling the charts in an otherwise male-dominated industry. Recently honoured by the government of India with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, says she is happy to be the face of the change. “We were being submissive to heroes. I am now being offered roles where the heroine has an identity of her own. It reflects what is happening across the world and in India too,” she says .