She is usually critical of actors and filmmakers, but columnist and novelist Shoba De is all praise for Vidya Balan's "Ooh la la" performance in "The Dirty Picture".

"Ooh-la-la Silk Balan secures her place at every 2012 award function. So does Naseer'Lechy'uddin as 'Surya'. Dirty? Make that 'filthy'!" De posted on social networking site Twitter.

Vidya has recieved positive reviews for her portrayal of a 1980s' dancing star in the Ekta Kapoor film, in which she features opposite Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi and Naseeruddin Shah.

The story is said to have been inspired by the life of southern sex siren Silk Smitha, hence, De refers to Vidya as 'Silk Balan', in appreciation of her work.