The makers of Vidya Balan starrer "The Dirty Picture" have clarified that the film is not a formal biopic.

"With reference to the legal notice received and the ongoing speculation about the film, Balaji wishes to clarify that 'The Dirty Picture' is the romantic journey of a fiercely ambitious starlet who dreams of making it big on the silver screen, " said a statement issued by the film's publicist.

"It draws inspiration from the strugglers in the 1980s whose indomitable spirit made them emerge triumphant and create a unique space for themselves in a male-dominated film industry. The film is not a formal biopic or biography, as is being speculated. It is a work of fiction, and any character's resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental, " it added.

The clarification was issued after a media report that claimed that southern sex icon Silk Smitha's brother, V. Naga Vara Prasad, who lives in a village in Andhra Pradesh, sent a legal notice to the film's producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria for not taking permission from the late actress' family before making the movie. Prasad claims that he learned about the film through television.

Silk Smitha committed suicide in 1996.

" 'The Dirty Picture', a spectacular musical entertainer, is in essence, a love story, and a celebration of the never-say-die spirit of every industry newcomer, " said the statement.

Vidya has teamed up with Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi in the film, which is relasing Dec 2.