'The Dirty Picture' hits screens on Silk Smitha's birthday

Balaji's keenly awaited multi-starrer 'The Dirty Picture' starring Vidya Balan in the lead role, will be released on December 2 on the birth anniversary of controversial actress and southern sex symbol Silk Smitha.

Ekta, the producer of Balaji's  points out that while we celebrate the birthdays of A-list stars, these path-breakers, who lived life on their own terms, have been forgotten. “My film is not inspired by any one of them, but is a reflection of an era when they used their sexuality to carve a niche for themselves in the male-dominated South film industry. Many frowned upon them, but they were survivors and their power over the masses cannot be denied.”

Born Vijayalakshimi in to a poor family in Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, she left school early, driven to become a movie star. Going in with her aunt in Chennai, she soon found a sponsor who re-named her Smitha. After garnering much notice and acclaim with her first major role in the Tamil movie, 'Vandi Chakkaram' in 1979, Smitha assumed the name Silk, after the name of her character.
Sex siren Silk Smitha became an inseparable part of South Indian cinema in the 70s and 80s.She was a big South Indian sensation, known for her bold and daring erotica on celluloid. Film makers could not imagine releasing a film without a titillating song or cameo by Smitha. She was every film maker's lucky charm.

Her most popular role is 'Layanam' (Malayalam, 1989) directed by Thulasidas. In fact 'Layanam' became so famous that it was remade in Hindi as the controversial 'Reshma Ki Jawani.'

The tragic life and death of Silk Smitha, the sex siren who became an inseparable part of South Indian cinema will no doubt make for interesting viewing. Producer Ekta Kapoor is now making a biopic titled 'The Dirty Picture', inspired by the actress and has roped in Vidya Balan for the main role.

'The Dirty Picture' will be directed by Milan Luthria who believes the choice of Vidya Balan to portray Silk Smitha is a casting coup of sorts. Music-packed, humorous and unabashed, 'The Dirty Picture' traces the controversial romances of Smitha. Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan have been cast opposite each other for the first time.

Vidya who has stood her own in heroine oriented films like 'Parineeta' and 'Ishqiya' now has the tough task of breathing life into Silk Smitha's complex and tragic journey from poor village girl to popular soft porn actress.