From being a demure dame in 'Parineeta' to a sly temptress in 'Ishqiya' and now a southern siren in 'The Dirty Picture', actress Vidya Balan has come a long way.
Milan Luthria's 'The Dirty Picture' chronicles life of the controversial southern actress Vijayalaxmi, popularly known as Silk Smitha who was known for her daring and bold erotica on screen. The promos of the flick have already become the talk of town. However, the actress is all praise for the veteran actor.
About her experience of working with Naseeruddin, Vidya said, "it was heart warming, especially while shooting 'Ooh La La' song. When we were dancing in the midst of oranges it was hilarious. We were laughing like mad, dancing between pots, posing like old sculptures. We had to roll down a slope. It is not easy, more than (getting) hurt, I couldn't control my laughter."
Though going by the promos and the title of the film it seems, 'The Dirty Picture' has oomph factor, but Vidya maintains that the film is bold but not porn.
"It is not a porn film. When you see it you will realise that the flick is not only about her (Silk Smitha's) body and clothes, it is far beyond that. It is an adult film and children must not see it. I feel children are today exposed to more vulgar things on the internet. Today everything is open.
One needs to bring sense of responsibility in children, " Vidya said. Physically, this film has been exhausting for the actress not because of its bold quotient but due to everything being elaborate, even from the 100-odd costumes, to a hairdo to choreography.
"There were days when I had gone through seven to eight costume changes, make-up, hairdo. Not only emotionally, but physically also this film has been exhausting and draining. It was also exhilarating, because you will get the opportunity to do all these things only in such a film, " she said.
From 'Parineeta', Vidya moved to the quintessential Bollywood heroine in commercial films like 'Heyy Babyy'. She even played the role of mother of Amitabh Bachchan in 'Paa' and a seductress in 'Ishqiya'.
The multiple award winning actress is happy playing variety of roles. "On one hand, I am playing a 14-year-old's mother, on the other hand I am a temptress, a de-glam real life-based character Sabrina Lal and now I am playing Silk.
I like this variety. I am grateful that I am getting chance to play different people, not just Vidya Balan again and again, " she added. 'The Dirty Picture', which also stars Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor releases on December 2, incidentally the birthday of Silk Smitha -- the actress who 'inspired' the film.