The Dirty Picture is a 2011 Indian biographical musical drama film inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, a South Indian actress noted for her erotic roles. The filmmakers have clarified that the story is not officially or literally based on Smitha alone, but on many of her southern contemporaries such as Disco Shanti. It also resembles the personal lives of other women in popular culture, including Hollywood actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. The film was directed by Milan Luthria and co-produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, after Ekta came up with the idea and asked screenwriter Rajat Aroraa to pen a story based on it.
Produced on a budget of ₹180 million (US$2.5 million), The Dirty Picture was released worldwide on 2 December 2011 (the anniversary of Smitha’s birth), in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil versions. Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Tusshar Kapoor played lead roles. Upon release it was a critical and commercial success, with Balan receiving the highest accolades for her performance; she was called “the hero of the film”. In addition, the film has received widespread praise for portraying women as powerful, contributing something unique to a typically male-dominated society. The music was composed by Vishal Shekhar with lyrics written by Rajat Aroraa.
The Dirty Picture grossed ₹1.17 billion (equivalent to ₹1.9 billion or US$27 million in 2019) worldwide and received several awards, most of which were won by Balan for her portrayal of Silk. It won three National Film Awards including Best Actress, three Filmfare Awards and six Screen Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Box Office India declared the film Super Hit after its fourth week.
The Dirty Picture is a 2011 Indian biographical musical drama film inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, a South Indian actress noted for her erotic roles. The filmmakers have clarified that the story is not officially or literally based on Smitha alone, but on many of her southern contemporaries such as Disco Shanti. It also resembles the personal lives of other women in popular culture, including Hollywood actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. The film was directed by Milan Luthria and co-produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, after Ekta came up with the idea and asked screenwriter Rajat Aroraa to pen a story based on it.
Produced on a budget of ₹180 million (US$2.5 million), The Dirty Picture was released worldwide on 2 December 2011 (the anniversary of Smitha’s birth), in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil versions. Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Tusshar Kapoor played lead roles. Upon release it was a critical and commercial success, with Balan receiving the highest accolades for her performance; she was called “the hero of the film”. In addition, the film has received widespread praise for portraying women as powerful, contributing something unique to a typically male-dominated society. The music was composed by Vishal Shekhar with lyrics written by Rajat Aroraa.
The Dirty Picture grossed ₹1.17 billion (equivalent to ₹1.9 billion or US$27 million in 2019) worldwide and received several awards, most of which were won by Balan for her portrayal of Silk. It won three National Film Awards including Best Actress, three Filmfare Awards and six Screen Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Box Office India declared the film Super Hit after its fourth week.
Plot
A day before her marriage, Reshma (Vidya Balan) runs away from her rural village, hoping to become a star in Chennai. She fails to impress a casting director, and he insults her for being unattractive and unable to act. Determined to secure a role, she spontaneously auditions for the position of a background dancer. However, she dances in a sultry manner, using erotic movements which annoys the film’s director, Abraham (Emraan Hashmi). He edits out Reshma’s entire dance sequence. The film fails at the box office, much to the dismay of the producer Selva Ganesh (Rajesh Sharma), who later recalls Reshma’s performance and offers her a role in a song in his upcoming film. Selva also suggests that she now be referred to as “Silk”, which is more exotic and captivating.
At the first shoot, Silk dances with veteran actor Suryakanth (Naseeruddin Shah), her childhood idol. Enamoured with him, Silk gains his affection and attention by offering a long-term sexual relationship. Meanwhile, Abraham proposes a new film to Selva Ganesh and is keen to cast Suryakanth. However, Suryakanth’s suggestion of adding sex and eroticism, to make the film more commercially viable, angers Abraham. Silk slowly builds a name for herself in the industry and goes on to do many more sexually charged films with Suryakanth, which catapults her into stardom. She gains many male fans and, in a short time, becomes immensely rich and popular as a Southern sex symbol.
Suryakanth’s younger brother Ramakanth (Tusshar Kapoor) is an admirer of Silk and starts to befriend her. Silk develops a liking for him, after she realizes that he is the first man who loves her for more than just her body and sex appeal. At an awards ceremony Silk is praised for her performance but is insulted by Suryakanth who tells her that she is nothing more than everyone’s “dirty secret”. Hurt by his remarks, Silk announces that she will continue to make her “dirty pictures” and that she has no qualms in doing so. She begins to spend more time with Ramakanth and becomes the focus of tabloid gossip after noted journalist Naila (Anju Mahendru) criticises Silk for having a romantic relationship with both brothers. To avoid scandal, and also to get revenge, Suryakanth drops Silk from his forthcoming films, forcing her to work with smaller, unknown filmmakers. She loses interest in her work and begins to feel threatened by a younger aspiring actress, Shakeela. During a dance challenge she intentionally trips Shakeela, much to the embarrassment of Ramakanth who then decides to end their relationship.
To ease her heartbreak and the rejection from her family, Silk turns to alcohol and chain smoking. She gains weight, causing her to lose her status as a sex symbol. Silk approaches Silva Ganesh with an offer to produce a film together. Ultimately, the audience and industry has lost interest in her, and the film fails. On the other hand, Abraham directs a film which turns out to be a huge hit, and he feels that he has finally proven to Silk (and himself) that his films do not need any sexualisation to be successful. Having lost her fame and fortune, Silk has accumulated so much debt that she approaches a small-time filmmaker, willing to take on any role. She is shocked to find that he wants her to do a pornographic film, and she refuses. He intoxicates her with alcohol and starts filming, without her permission. The place is raided by the police but Silk manages to escape.
Abraham finds himself falling in love with Silk, even though he denies it first, as he struggles with this moral dilemma. During a phone conversation with Silk, Abraham becomes alarmed when she asks him to bid farewell to everyone for her. He rushes to her house, and finds her lying in bed dead from a sleeping pill overdose, along with a suicide note written by her.
The film ends with Abraham’s narration, examining the life that Silk has led, and he questions whether it was her or her life that was right or wrong.
Cast
Vidya Balan as Reshma/Silk, a rebellious and independent woman. She runs away from her rural home at a young age to nurture her dream of becoming an actress. She is uninhibited in expressing her sexuality.
Emraan Hashmi as Abraham, a director and the narrator of the film. He dreams of making critically acclaimed films. He initially hates Silk and her over-sexualisation of the film industry.
Naseeruddin Shah as Suryakanth, an aging South Indian superstar. He is involved in extramarital relationships and has a secret affair with the much younger Silk.
Tusshar Kapoor as Ramakanth, Suryakant’s brother and a writer for one of his forthcoming films. He is attracted to Silk but, unlike his brother, is empathetic towards her.
Anju Mahendru as Naila, a journalist who writes sensationalist articles about Silk but secretively admires her courage.
Rajesh Sharma as Selva Ganesh/Keedadas, the producer of most of Silk’s films
Imran Hasnee as film director Vijayan
Mangal Kenkre as Ratnamma, a confidante of Silk.
Arya Banerjee as Shakeela, an up-and-coming young actress who compares herself to Silk
Vikas Shrivastav as Sudhir, casting director
Mohit Sinha as Manorma
Shivani Tanksale as Raadhika
Lavin Gothi as a fan of Silk
Neha Bam as Silk Samitha’s Mother / Biological Mother of Silk
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