Vidya Balan recalls facing career warnings for 'The Dirty Picture'

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, recently shared insights into the challenges she faced while taking on the role of Silk Smitha in the critically acclaimed film, "The Dirty Picture." Speaking at the 54th International Film Festival of India in Goa, Vidya Balan disclosed the discouragement she encountered from individuals who believed that her decision to portray Silk Smitha would adversely impact her career.

Recalling the reactions she received, Vidya revealed, "There were some people who told me, 'Are you sure? It's going to ruin your career. It may actually spell the end of your career because you know you have been Miss Goody two shoes.'" Dismissing the notion of being labelled as "Miss Goody Two Shoes," Vidya emphasized that she is an actor precisely to explore diverse roles and break free from conventional expectations.

Addressing the scepticism surrounding her involvement in "The Dirty Picture," Vidya expressed her thrill at the prospect of portraying Silk Smitha. 

She candidly admitted her initial disbelief when director Milan Luthria approached her for the role. "The first time Milan Luthria came to me, mujhe laga ki, ‘Aap ghalat darwaaze pe toh nahi aagaye (Are you sure about it)?’ Because I wouldn’t believe that someone would actually offer me this role," she shared.

Vidya Balan stressed the importance of challenging herself and venturing into roles that others might find unconventional. She said, "There was this burning desire to do things that people couldn’t imagine I could do but I knew I could do. I was thrilled to bits when the film came to me. I said yes instinctively," she added.

"The Dirty Picture," a biographical musical drama directed by Milan Luthria, delves into the life of Silk Smitha and was distributed in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. The film not only showcased Vidya's versatility as an actor but also garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal.