The Dirty Picture (2011)

The love story between an actress and a director, inspired by the life of the late south Indian actress Silk Smitha.

Director:

Milan Luthria

Writers:

Rajat Arora (dialogue), Rajat Arora (screenplay)

Stars:

Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor

28 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Vidya Balan	...	Reshma / Silk
Emraan Hashmi	...	Abraham
Tusshar Kapoor	...	Ramakant (as Tusshar)
Naseeruddin Shah	...	Surya Kant
Rajesh Sharma	...	Silva Ganesh / Keedha Das
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Neha Bam	...	Silk's Biological Mother
Devyani	...	Girl in maroon dress
Lavin Gothi	...	Wiry Man
Imran Hasnee	...	Vijayan
Mangala Kenkre	...	Ratnamma
Anju Mahendru	...	Nyla
A.R. Manikandan	...	Photographer
Dilip Merala	...	Photographer at the race course
Gulshan Pandey	...	Director
Vikas Shrivastav	...	Casting Director Sudhir

Storyline

Rebellious and uninhibited Reshma lives an impoverished lifestyle with her mother, Ratnamma, in 1980s South India. She is an ardent fan of film actor, Suryakant, and her one ambition in life is to meet and act with him. She runs away to Madras, and like, hundreds of young women, lines up outside Jupiter Studios to try and get noticed. With her plain, next-door-girl looks, she gets ignored but as fate could have it she is given a chance to play a minor role after she manages to sneak into the studios. The role exploits her as a sex symbol, driving males to the cinema houses to absorb her movements and beauty. Virtually overnight she, now renamed Silk, becomes a sensation, and together with the aging superstar, Suryakant, the one she had always fantasized about, she sizzles the silver screen with her sex appeal. Suryakant's brother, Ramakant, an author, is smitten by her - so much so that he would like her to opt out of movies altogether, so that he could marry her. But the rebellious ...

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Plot Keywords:

sex | film actor | ambition | film industry | egg | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vidya Balan got a mouth ulcer from smoking so much to get into character.

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Quotes

Abraham: Mujhe toh chadi zeher ki tarah... ki ab paani bhi peeta hoon - toh aag lag jaati hain.

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Connections

Referenced in New Girl: Big Mama P (2016)

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Soundtracks

Ishq Sufiana
(Male)
Music by Vishal Dadlani (as Vishal) and Shekhar Ravjiani (as Shekhar)
Lyrics by Rajat Arora
Performed by Kamal Khan

User Reviews

No Dull Moment

Some people watch a movie for its elegance, good acting and high production values. Others watch movies for their sleaziness, skin display and controversy. How often do you get both the sides leaving the theater satisfied thinking that they got a great value for money? Milan Luthria presents The Dirty Picture. In the words of Silk Smitha, a film works for three reasons; Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment… And The Dirty Picture is entertainment. However, it's a movie for Adult audience who can take the kind of humor and exposure it has to offer.

The Dirty Picture (DP) is story of a South Indian actress Reshma, popularly known as Silk. Rajat Arora's script keeps flirting with glamor of showbiz and the bitter realities faced by a girl running away from her house to become an actress. To the extent where she eats only a spoonful of sugar once a day as her meal. It exposes how despite criticizing the amount of exposing on cinema; the masses actually enjoy the skin show and that sex sells. The story is a rather predictable tale of rise and fall of a female actor and whatever happens in between, however, it's the treatment and performances that make DP a thoroughly enjoyable watch for lovers of almost all genres.

There are two more things that make DP stand ahead of other recent films. First is the outstanding background score. From the evergreen Naka Mukka to the entertaining 'Ooh Lala' use in the background along with the SFX, background music is simply superb. Secondly, the fiery dialogs are probably the best thing in the entire film. One jewel after another. So much so that you cannot even keep count on them.

Bobby Singh's cinematography is first rate. His best work to date even though he was an unexpected choice. When you have to show sleaze and skin, it's a tough job to still stay classy and Bobby Singh does exactly that. Especially the way Vidya's being overweight has been shown is remarkable.

DP is loaded with powerful performances. It's not very easy to find Emran Hashmi in a bearable role. I don't know why a talented actor like his keeps wasting himself in his serial kisser movies. It was once again Milan Luthria after Once Upon A Time in Mumbai (OUATIM) who took out the best in him. Tushaar too is bearable. Can you believe that? Every single supporting character has done a fabulous job. Rajesh Sharma in another major role after No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ). Navin Gothi, the actor playing Vidya's lucky charm and the director who first kick Vidya out of his set are especially very good. Arya Banerjee makes her presence felt as a new-comer Shakila. Vikas Shrivastav as casting director who sends Vidya out with a 5 rupees bill and Sarang Sathaye as choreographer George who gives Vidya her first song are noticeable in their cameos.

And then comes Naseer Uddin Shah. Who else could have done a better job than NS as the aging malicious actor? He gets into the skin of the character of Surya and does a splendid job of it. Despicable and convincing.

And last but not the least is Vidya Balan. What a powerhouse of an actress. She started the year with NOKJ and has ended it with The Dirty Picture. Totally contrasting roles. In one she was a nerdy homegrown nonentity and in the other she is the sex symbol of the industry calling herself Entertainment and boy, how she excels in both the roles. Watch out for her award ceremony speech, her early scenes with Naseer and the climax. Easily the best female lead performance in 2011. Filmfare worthy material.

The real hero of DP is Milan Luthria. How far has he come from Kachhe Dhaage days? If he was very good in OUATIM, he is even better in DP. Complete grip on the screenplay, taking out the best from the actors no matter how small their roles is, creating an 80s atmosphere still looking totally different from Om Shanti Om and Action Replay, this is a director how is in command. This makes the sequel of OUATIM the most anticipated movie of 2012 as far as I am concerned.

The Dirty Picture hardly has a dull moment. It does get a bit slow when it goes to the soft side of Vidya and Emran, however, that too remains an integral part of the storyline. Do keep in mind the 18+ rating of the film before going to the theaters and keep the expectations on those lines. If you do, you are up for a treat.

Details

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi Tamil English

Release Date:

2 December 2011 (India)

Also Known As:

Грязная картина

Filming Locations:

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Box Office

Budget:

INR300,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$341,767

Company Credits

Production Co:

ALT Entertainment, Balaji Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1