The Dirty Picture on the sex icon's b'day

'The Dirty Picture' directed by Milan Luthria is a music-packed, humorous and unabashed biopic on Southern siren Silk Smitha that traces her life including the controversial romances.

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.

Silk Smitha 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 as 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 decidedly make for an interesting view.

Producer Ekta Kapoor's biopic on Silk Smitha is titled 'The Dirty Picture' and being inspired by the actress, Ekta roped in Vidya Balan for the main role.

'The Dirty Picture' directed by Milan Luthria, believes the choice of Vidya Balan to portray Silk Smitha is a casting coup of sorts.

Vidya who has stood on 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.

'The Dirty Picture' starring Vidya Balan in the lead role with Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor, will be released on December 2 on the birth anniversary of the sex icon Silk Smitha.

Vidya couldn't kiss Tusshar

Vidya Balan was supposed to film a kissing scene with Tusshar Kapoor in her upcoming film, ‘Dirty Picture’ but unfortunately the smooching scene between Vidya and Tusshar could not be shot due to the attack of dragonflies.

Everything was set at the Ramoji studio in Hyderabad and Tusshar was just about to kiss Vidya but all of a sudden bunch of dragonflies entered the shooting area and disrupted everything.

It was getting inside the mouth and clothes of the crew member and to shoot under such circumstances was just impossible.

On looking at the call of the situation, director Milan Luthria called off the shoot and the scene that had to be shot at night could not be canned as it was almost morning by the time the dragonflies left.

The cast flew off to Mumbai and now the kissing scene will be shot in Mumbai later this month.

Director Milan Luthria confirmed the incident, "There were millions of those flies. They would get into our mouths and clothes," he recalls.

Bulls eye on Vidya Balan

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan had a horrendous experience while shooting for her keenly awaited film THE DIRTY PICTURE.

Vidya balan was wearing a red gown for an outdoor scene being shot in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.

Apparently two bulls, who happened to stray into the sets had the unit in splits, till they decided to dash towards an amused Vidya, given their attraction for the red on her gown.

While co-stars Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor couldn't stop laughing, before the two bulls could get to Vidya, a few local production guys intervened and led the excited animals away.

Vidya Balan - the sexy siren

Vidya Balan has never been a sexy siren. Despite locking lips with her male co-stars and even mouthing dialogues seasoned with choicest of expletives, Vidya has remained the typical demure, sari-clad lady one would take home to meet their mom. Not for her the trappings of a sex bomb.

But Vidya has defied the stereotypes and shocked her fans by taking up the role of Silk Smitha in director Milan Luthria’s film Dirty Picture.

For the uninitiated, Silk Smitha was the undisputed siren of the south film industry in the 80s and 90s, popular for her dare-to-bare acts in a number of films. Her plump, curvy body which she revealed without inhibitions was her drawcard.

Now, Dirty Picture, based on the tragic life of Silk Smitha, pitches Vidya Balan as the seductress, dressed in skimpy blouses and thigh-baring ghagras. The first glimpse of Vidya’s makeover as Silk Smitha came out recently, and has been met with mixed reactions from film buffs.

Some feel Vidya isn’t plump and curvy enough to play Silk Smitha, while the others have wholeheartedly approved of Vidya as the siren.

Let us know your opinion. Who according to you looks hotter -- Vidya Balan or Silk Smitha?

Dirrty Picture begins . .

Milan Luthria, the director of actress Vidya Balan’s controversial next film, Dirrty Picture came up with an innovative way to clear her apprehension over her bold and sexy role in the film which is based on the life of actress Silk Smitha, who was famous for her bold show skin. She was also accused by purists of promoting nudity on the silver screen. Naturally, Vidya dithered to figure out how she would bring alive Silk Smitha’s sexuality on screen.

Sources say that Milan advised her to watch flicks like Chicago and Burlesque which portray women with strong and overtly sexual body language. While Vidya plays a bold character in the film, she apparently wanted to make sure everything on the sets went on smoothly from day one. After preparing for almost two months for her role by attending various workshops with all actors, Vidya was finally confident to begin. But she made sure she started it on an auspicious note. The actress, who is a spiritual person by nature wanted to start the first day of the shoot by holding a small puja on the sets.

Meanwhile, actor Tusshar Kapoor, who is playing one of her love-interests in the film was apparently super-nervous on his first day at shoot. Tusshar was not required on day one so when he came to the sets on the next day, he was introduced to actor Naseruddin Shah, who also plays an important part in the film.

Tusshar, says the source, has always been a huge fan of Naseer and his films and on meeting him, he was tongue tied. Though he wanted to go up to Naseer and talk, he stood rooted to the spot like a star-struck kid. But this didn’t last too long because Naseer’s wife, Ratna Pathak Shah came to his rescue. Ratna who has earlier worked with Tusshar in Golmaal Returns, is familiar with Tusshar and knows him personally as well. She made it a point to introduce Tusshar to her husband and only after that happened Tusshar relaxed and started to shoot.

A source who was present on the sets says, “Tusshar is a big fan of Naseerji and wanted to break the ice between them. Since he hasn’t interacted with Naseer at all, he felt it would be awkward to just go up to him and introduce himself. That is when Ratna came and introduced the two of them and soon the duo was spotted chatting away to glory and discussing films.”

Sizzling scenes - Radhika & Tusshar

Tusshar Kapoor has finally shifted gears from playing a typical shy character, and has now decided to portray a different personality on-screen.

The actor, who is famous for his mute character in the 'Golmaal' series, and for his boy-next-door image, is now apparently doing a love making scene with Radhika Apte, for a song in his upcoming film ‘Shor In The City.'

Talking about his love making scene, Tusshar stated “The track in question Saibo is from SITC. It is a soft romantic ballad, picturised on a married couple Radhika (Apte) and me. It's a romantic scene between a middle-class husband and wife living in a chawl that leads to lovemaking. I play a reformed gangster and she's a catalyst in reforming me."

Tusshar says he has become an expert in doing such scenes
It’s learnt that in the steamy song, Tusshar will be apparently unfastening Radhika’s Apte’s blouse, and will also be watching her undress.

However, it looks like that the actor didn’t feel ill at ease while doing the bold steamy scene in ‘Shor In The City’, since he and Radhika are bonding big time off the sets as well.

Apparently, even the unit members are aware that their relationship is not that of friends, but is something more than that.

Interestingly, when Tusshar was asked how he had made up his mind to shed his shy image and do such a steamy scene, the actor stated that he certainly didn’t feel uncomfortable, since he has become an expert in doing such scenes.

"I wasn't embarrassed at all. I am pro at such scenes now! In fact, my scenes in Dirty Picture are far steamier,” stated Tusshar.

Ragini MMS inspired by Paranormal Activity

Producer Ekta Kapoor says the resemblance between her forthcoming horror flick Ragini MMS and Hollywood film Paranormal Activity is obvious because the technique of shooting both films is same. "We are inspired by the medium of Paranormal Activity. The technique, the way the film was done. They were the grab footage (shot by multiple cameras from various angles), the real grab-footage. Paranormal Activity 1 apparently had all grab footage. Paranormal Activity 2 has no real footage," Ekta told reporters after the first look of Ragini MMS here at Cinemax, Versova.

Ekta disclosed that the feel of the haunted house has been brought by the grab-shots of 24 cameras.

This is the second film after Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex Aur Dhoka to be shot in real time in an unconventional way.

Asked what inspired her to make two films of almost same genre successively, Ekta said: "I started my career with a paranormal show Mano ya Na Mano. I have immense passion for paranormal activities. I always feel there is a bigger story behind every paranormal incident."

Real bar dances in "Shor in the City"

After ‘Love Sex Aur Dhoka’, Balaji’s next, ‘Shor In The City’, takes reality a step further by roping in real dancers for a sequence in the film.

One of the scenes required Tusshar Kapoor, Nikhil Dwivedi and Pitabash Tripathy to visit a dance bar and directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK wanted the scene to be as authentic as possible.

In fact, the makers have gone all out with the authentic touch since the film is based on stories from articles that have headlined the city newspapers in recent years.

“Our film is a gritty portrayal of the city. And what better than picking up ideas from newspapers? So for example, a guy coming to Mumbai for the first time and getting robbed in a funny way, is a part of the film. Although everything has been fictionalised, the core incidents did take place,” remarks Krishna.

Rather than being shot on sets, ‘Shor In The City’, true to its name, has been largely shot in real locations such as dance bars, chawls and posh societies across Mumbai.

Ragini MMS's catch phrase talks of threesome

Ekta Kapoor's Ragini MMS promises a lot of s*x, lovemaking, semi-nud*ty and the supernatural.

Supposedly, a no-holds-barred film, the posters are all about shock value. After releasing one poster recently, the Balaji czarina has released another. And this one will not just be released in urban areas but also the hinterland.

Says a source, "The posters have shocking visuals. It is non-apologetically in your face and is sure to be bolder than Love Sex Dhokha. Ekta's confidence in Ragini can be seen in the decisions she's taking to market the film."

Says Ekta, "It's a two-pronged promotional campaign for cities and smaller towns. Ragini MMS will be the scariest date movie in India so far. It has the ultimate catchphrase 'They didn't know it then, but it was a threesome!'

One poster will be released in cities while the other will release in the interiors."

She describes her strategy, "We want to woo the urban and rural youth. Everything from the horror to the lovemaking is real.

We even have footage of how young couples talk in their bedrooms. The film was made in Rs 1.5 crore but I am excited about it. I have increased the publicity expenditure by over Rs 2 crore."

"Ragini MMS" exalted on *ex and supernatural

Ekta Kapoor is quite excited about her latest film Ragini MMS which is a supernatural, sensuous film based on a couple’s real-life experience. The film is made on a budget of mere Rs 1.5 crore.

After the dark and raunchy Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Ekta Kapoor is proud to present you Ragini MMS. Yes, the movie promises to be high on s*x, horror, and semi-nud*ty. Ekta claims that the movie is going to be the “scariest date movie” in India so far. Thus, she has even increased her budget by over Rs 2 crore for its pre-release publicity.

So, what are the marketing plans of the daring producer? Ekta has different plans for the publicity of the film in rural areas, and different strategy to cater to the urban section. Some posters of the film will release only in the interior areas.

As Ekta tells a tabloid, “We want to woo the urban and rural youth. Everything from the horror to the lovemaking is real. We even have footage of how young couples talk in their bedrooms.”

From dramatic soaps to realistic films, Ekta knows how to shock the audience. Ragini MMS is releasing on May 13.

Controversial Koffee gets Preity furious

Preity Zinta demands an apology from Tusshar Kapoor for his comment about her on a TV show

Preity Zinta is furious with Tusshar Kapoor for his statement on Karan Johar's TV show. In a still-to-be-aired episode, the host asked his guest 'who comes to mind when I say the following things.'

One of the prompts was botox/cosmetic surgery, to which Tusshar repled: Preity Zinta. When this bit of news reached the actress, she was livid. She called Karan to complain and requested him to delete the offending question.

A source close to her says, "Preity doesn't talk rubbish about anyone. She sees no reason why Tusshar, who she hasn't even worked with, should take off on her without provocation." Not one to take an insult lying down, PZ called Tusshar to fire him and demanded an apology. He told her that he regretted making the statement.

Tusshar confirms, "Preity called me. She was upset and I cleared my stand." He clarifies why he made the comment on the show. "Everyone knows that Karan's rapid fire round is just for laughs. You don't even have the time to think when Karan puts you in the dock. Recently, I saw Preity's picture in a magazine and she was looking stunning having lost a lot of weight. So, when Karan asked, Preity's name just came out at the spur of the moment. There's nothing more to it." he says.

He continues, "I've loved Preity since Soldier. I didn't mean to hurt her and I'm feeling bad that my comment turned into such an ugly controversy. I'm glad that we spoke and sorted it out rather than letting it snowball into something worse. I don't even know what botox actually is, and why will I say something like this about someone who I truly respect." When asked if the said question had been deleted, he said, "I don't know. Maybe some of what I said might have been edited out," the Golmaal actor concludes.

Ragini MMS is a thriller, not a p*rn movie

Ekta Kapoor clarifies her forthcoming films are not as dirty as they are made out to be.

Balaji Productions' highly talked about film Ragini MMS' first look was launched by Ekta Kapoor yesterday at a suburban multiplex.

Ekta clarified, that Ragini MMS is not like Paranormal Activity as per the rumours doing the rounds.

On asked how come both of her forthcoming sensational films 'Ragini MMS' and 'Dirty Picture' (starring Vidya Balan as late south sex symbol Silk Smitha) revolve around sex, Ekta clarified, "I don't make films to please people. Both 'Ragini MMS' and 'Dirty Picture' are not porn films as they are made out to be."

However, both films have loads of sex and lovemaking scenes. The film is said to have footage of how young couples talk in their bedrooms too!

Ekta added, "Ragini MMS will be the scariest date movie in India so far. It has the ultimate catchphrase 'They didn't know it then, but it was a threesome!'

While Ragini MMS will release in May, Vidya starrer Dirty Picture is still under production.

War of words on Koffee with Karan

It’s wartime in sibling territory. Actor Tusshar Kapoor got into a strong war of words with his filmmaker sister Ekta Kapoor on the sets of Karan Johar’s TV show Koffee with Karan, in the episode that goes on air tonight.

The reason for the apparent spat was Ekta making fun of Tusshar’s co-star and rumoured girlfriend, Radhika Apte. An eyewitness on the sets, who does not wish to be named, says, “Tusshar had been raving about Radhika and the chemistry he shares with her in Balaji’s upcoming film, Shor in the City. Ekta seemed displeased with it and got a chance to take potshots at Apte during the rapid fire round. When Tusshar was asked to rate his top five sexy actresses, he named Kareena, Priyanka and Katrina and then broke off to think. Ekta then interrupted and said, “Radhika Apte”. At this, Karan Johar asked, ‘Who is this Radhika’ to which Ekta sarcastically said, ‘Exactly! Who is she?’ Ekta went on to joke that Tusshar had bad taste in women and called Radhika ‘horsey’ beautiful.”

The source adds, “Tusshar seemed really upset at this and asked her not to be rude.” Things went to the extent of Tusshar adding that he “did not need Ekta’s approval” on whom he should be friends with. When Johar intervened and said he was looking forward to seeing the on screen chemistry between Tusshar and Radhika, Ekta said, “I hope the chemistry stays on the screen, only!”

When contacted, Ekta said, “Karan’s is a fun show and the banter was like what any brother sister have. I have no problem with Radhika.”

On the other hand, Tusshar says, “I will not stand anyone taking on my personal life, and that goes for Ekta as well. It was not a fight, but more out of irritation. Radhika and I do get along, but I don’t want to label what we share.”