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.”

Vidya Balan parties with the Bhardwajs

Vishal Bhardwaj threw an impromptu party at his residence in Meghdoot building on the night when the National Awards were announced.

Both Vishal and his wife Rekha picked up awards for Ishqiya. Naturally the team, i.e. Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan and Abhishek Chaubey came over for the party.

The actress' conviction in doing Ishqiya has been repeatedly paying off. The film has won her several awards and continues to be feted and felicitated at International festivals and even in the local circuit.

Vidya Balan as sensuous "Silk Smitha"

Director Milan Luthria has come up with an innovative way to clear Vidya Balan's apprehension over her bold and sexy role in Dirty Picture, turning into soft porn. He advised Vidya to watch films such as Chicago and Burlesque which portray women with strong and overtly sexual body language.

"I loved the script and was almost shocked that they (Milan and Balaji) thought of me. I was shocked and thrilled because she is so unlike me. Silk Smitha's sexuality is in your face. It is almost offensive," Balan said in an interview.

"Dirty Picture is an apt title for the movie. It is reflective of our perception of her. We feel that she could not have made a pretty picture," she added.

Famous for her bold roles on screen, off screen, Silk Smitha's life was bereft of glamour. Rather, there was loneliness and tragedy.

She went on to star in over 200 Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and a few Hindi films. Her disillusionment in love finally got to her as she was found dead in her apartment in Chennai in 1996.

While many claimed that her death was a suicide, concluding from the note she left behind, the real reason behind her death still remains a mystery.

Sonam Kapoor in Bikini ..

Actress Sona who made her debut as glamour girl became a glamorous producer by producing a film titled Kanimozhi that had Jai and Shazahn Padamsee in the lead in association with T Shiva of Amma Creations.

Now there is news that Sona is scripting the story, screenplay and dialogues for a new film that would be based on her own life. She has mentioned that she will be directing this film and has plans to cast Sonam Kapoor to do justice to her glamorous image.

While Vidya Balan's role in director Milan Luthria's film 'Dirty Picture' is confirmed to get dirtier with Vidhya's appearances in hot pants, low necklines, translucent tube tops and petticoats baring her mid-riff, thighs and cleavage, one shall also imagine Sonam Kapoor sporting a two piece bikini if cast to portray Sona's glamorous days.

Mallika Vs Bips Vs Mandira - Topless

It’s the season of dropping tops, it appears. First Bipasha Basu posed topless for a magazine cover in January. Now, Mallika Sherawat has got many eyes popped out with her sizzling image on the cover of FHM.

We’re not even considering the likes of Mandira Bedi and Vidya Balan who have posed boldly for photoshoots in the last few months. But Bipasha baring her shapely back on the cover of the January issue of Maxim did win its share of accolades.

Now, as if to rival that, Mallika has taken her top off and scorched the cover of the April issue of FHM.

The cover, with Mallika’s assets barely hidden behind a voluminous necklace, leaves little to imagination.

So we decided to ask you, who looks hotter as the covergirl?

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.

"Dirty Picture" - Lot of skin show?

Vidya Balan needs to become more comfortable in her own skin on screen, according to the director of her upcoming film Dirty Picture.

The actress is known for her love of more traditional roles in films such as the crime drama Ishqiya.

According to the Mumbai Mirror, she was shocked when she received her wardrobe for the film, which turned out to be full of skimpy outfits.

Helmer Milan Luthria told the paper: "Vidya Balan needs to get bolder in her performance and physicality. Bolder in body and in mind.

"This is not kid stuff we are doing. My film takes a naked look at all we've been whispering about."

Dirty Picture will see Balan playing the tragic South Indian actress Silk Smitha, who was famous for her "sensual" dances.

It was reported last month she planned to sue over doctored pictures of her in a bikini posing on a fake Maxim cover.

"Dirty Picture" will be really bold

While Vidya Balan definitely knew that she had to go extra glam to play Silk Smitha in Milan Luthria's Dirty Picture produced by Ekta Kapoor, Balan sort of freaked out when she saw the sketches of what she needs to wear for the portrayal.

Hot pants, low necks and petticoats (without the saree that Vidya is so fond of) got a bit too hot to handle for the lady. Also, she would have to wear these outrageous outfits after she gains some extra kilos on her thighs and other areas that the role requires, which left the actress gob smacked.

A little shaken with the initial sketches, Vidya Balan has told Luthria that all her outfits need to reach at least 30 days before she starts shooting, so that she can try and get comfortable in them.

Fashion designer Niharika Khan, who is in charge of Vidya's outfits in Dirty Picture, has pulled out all stops to comply with Balan's order.

The designer confirmed, "I am working as fast a I can. There is bound to be a lot of skin show where her legs and stomach will be bare.

The role has a graph where initially she will be wearing her usual clothes, later she becomes a star and then the downfall. So it's an array of costumes I am preparing covering all three phases."

When asked about Sabyasachi not designing for Vidya in the film, she added, "Well, Milan wanted me in the film. So, I can't comment on that."

Confirming this, Ekta said, "Well, there are two sizes that Vidya will be seen in. One is the thinner one, the other one is where she will have to put on weight."

When contacted, Luthria said, "Vidya Balan needs to get bolder in her performance and physicality. Bolder in body and in mind.

This is not kid stuff we are doing. My film takes a naked look at all we've been whispering about."

"When Vidya asked me for the clothes, earlier than usual, I really wasn't surprised. My job is to ease her into the character. And this is just step one," added Luthria.

Balan remained unavailable for comment.

For more images of her hot photoshoot, click here !

Vidya Balan's bold role as Silk Smitha

But soon her screen-image is going to undergo a sea-change. She is about to star in the role of South porn star, Silk Smitha, who was renowned for her alluring, skin-showing act.

To be directed by Milan Luthria, ‘Dirty Picture’ has already created much hype in the industry. The film stars Vidya Balan as the South siren Silk Smitha, while Naseruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, and Tusshar Kapoor star in other lead roles.

With low necklines and hot pants, Vidya will look dirtier

While portraying a porn star aesthetically, Vidya Balan might have to do away with some of her inhibitions on-screen. Without much doubt, ‘Dirty Picture’ will have ample skin show where the costumes will be short and quite revealing.

The initial sketches for Vidya’s costumes include hot pants, low necklines, and petticoats.

Niharika Khan, who has designed Vidya’s costumes said, “There is bound to be a lot of skin show where her legs and stomach will be bare.The role has a graph where initially she will be wearing her usual clothes, later she becomes a star and then the downfall. So it's an array of costumes I am preparing covering all three phases.”

Vidya needs to get bolder in mind and body

While researching for the role of a porn star, Vidya Balan confesses that she is not at all a porn enthusiast as she believes porn is more of a guy thing.

To fit the role perfectly, the scipt requires Vidya to put on extra pounds. Playing a porn star can be a hard task, but Vidya is very confident of her acting skills. She said, “It will be my interpretation, not an impersonation.”

Director Milan Luthria feels Vidya needs to be more daring to do justice to the role of a porn star.

Luthria said, “Vidya Balan needs to get bolder in her performance and physicality. This is not kid stuff we are doing. My film takes a naked look at all we've been whispering about.”

Rajni to romance 7 actresses

While earlier rumor mills were doing the rounds that megastar Rajinikanth’s upcoming flick ‘Rana’ will be having three heroines, now reports are trickling in that the forthcoming Rajini starrer will be having seven leading ladies.

Well, just like inflation, the number of female leads in Rajinikanth’s future film has also increased all of a sudden, and the unanticipated augmentation of female protagonists in the film was reported by the ‘Rana’ director K. S. Ravikumar.

Recently, in an exclusive one to one with the media, filmmaker K.S. Ravikumar uttered that the much talked about upcoming film ‘Rana’ will be having not three, but seven bombshells.

But at the same time, Ravikumar also said that only three out of those seven leading ladies will be playing Rajini’s love interest in the film.

The gripping female casting of ‘Rana’
Initially, it was learnt that Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan and Rekha will be the three leading actresses in ‘Rana', but then eventually because of some unknown reasons Vidya and Rekha didn’t sign the dotted line.

After this, scuttlebutts had it that that superstar Rajinikanth, who is playing a triple role in 'Rana', will be seen romancing Deepika Padukone, Asin and South hottie Anushka Shetty in the flick.

However, moviemaker Ravikumar denied all gossips and said that only Deepika has been zeroed in for 'Rana' so far, whereas the other six actresses are yet to be finalized.

Deepika turns action heroine in ‘Rana’
After showing her tough side in 'Chandni Chowk to China', Deepika is once again gearing up for some action sequences for the Rajinikanth starrer ‘Rana'.

Apparently, the ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ sizzler is getting herself trained in martial arts for performing the stunts in ‘Rana'.

With Deepika turning an action heroine, and Rajini sharing screen space with 7 hotties, the forthcoming flick ‘Rana’ has become a much awaited one for the moviegoers.

Vidya dances with Hugh Jackman

The closing ceremony of FICCI Frames in Mumbai turned out to be more fun than expected with Shahrukh Khan and Hugh Jackman entertaining the gathering with their wit and dance. The duo was joined by actress Vidya Balan.

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan was sharing dais with Hugh Jackman for a discussion on Hollywood and Bollywood at Ficci Frames 2011 event, and once it got over, Shahrukh thought to teach Jackman what is called truly Bollywood. The star offered to teach the X-Man star a few desi steps and the actor was game.

Jackman removed his coat and stood next to Shahrukh, very eager to learn. Shahrukh Khan surprised everyone when he made Hugh Jackman shake a hip to Madhuri Dixit's hit number Dhak dhak karne laga.

During the discussion, Jackman exclaimed: “I love My Name Is Khan and I think I should act in the sequel to the film, which we can call 'My Name Is Jackman' with a tagline - and I'm not a tourist.”

Vidya Balan won the Best Actress award for her work in Ishqiya. She wore a green Sabayasachi sari at the event.

Vidya Balan: A character actress?

She took people back to the black and white era with her role in the period film 'Parineeta'. Then came her fashion faux pas and a dip in the career graph. But a careful and confident Vidya Balan is on the rise again in Bollywood.

Though at 33 she is just six years old in the Hindi movie industry, her oeuvre is so impressive that there was a Vidya Balan retrospective at the Indian film fest in two Australian cities.

From playing a foul mouthed, manipulative vengeful woman in 'Ishqiya' to the mother of a progeria patient to a grieving sister in 'No One Killed Jessica', Vidya has been proving her versatility with her nuanced handling of different characters.

Her much-talked-about forthcoming releases - director Milan Luthria's 'The Dirty Picture', based on the life of Silk Smitha, south Indian cinema's sex symbol, and Sujoy Ghosh's thriller 'Kahani' in which she plays a six-month pregnant woman - are expected to take her creativity to another level.

Applauding her work and choice of roles, director Sudhir Mishra said: "She is very brave and very gutsy. Hats off to Vidya. She will last longer. It will pay her off very well. She will be remembered as another kind of actress and remembered more than a lot of people. She should continue doing this kind of roles. She should do what she can do well. She should retain that uniqueness."

Director Anurag Kashyap feels what Vidya is doing is pathbreaking. "I think she is showing the way for everyone else. Vidya's fan following has increased 50-fold after the kind of work she started doing. We need her," he added.

This Iyer girl from Palakkad in Kerala grew up in Mumbai. She did her graduation in sociology from St. Xavier's College.

After award-winning debut with the period drama 'Parineeta' (2005), she charmed her fans in a modern avatar in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'. Her small but impressive role in 'Guru' too earned her accolades.

But after a meteoric rise to fame, her career took a dip post 'Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love' and it seemed as if lady luck had deserted her completely. She was in the news for all the wrong reasons -- from her choice of roles to co-stars to her looks in movies like 'Heyy Babyy' and 'Kismet Konnection' -- she was criticised for everything.

But the rough patch ended and wagging tongues came to a halt when Vidya returned as Amitabh Bachchan's mother in critically acclaimed 'Paa' (2009) after staying away for a year. Undoubtedly it was one of her best performances and Vidya walked away with the Filmfare Best Actress Award for portraying the dilemma of a woman living with her child's illness.

There are reports that Vidya may work with southern superstar Rajnikanth as well.

"She should start a legacy of such kind of acting. She is one of the top actresses in the industry because she does such kind of unique roles," said director Vikramaditya Motwane whose 'Udaan' amassed trophies at every award function this year.

Not only that, Vidya's sartorial elegance has been at its peak ever since she appeared in "Paa". Be it flaunting ethnic saris by her favourite designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee or her plain Jane look at public events to promote "No One Killed Jessica", the talented actress floored everyone.

Mumbai-based designer Anand Bhushan, a regular face at Lakme Fashion Week, said: "Yes it's true that designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee did an awesome job with her Indian image, giving her all sorts of dresses which not only reflected her Indian face but also made her look glamorous."

"But who says we only want to see Vidya Balan in Indian dresses. It's time to get some credible Western designer to celebrate her persona. Her dressing sense has always been a point of discussion for the media and film critics, especially whenever she is portrayed in Western wear."

She made a late entry in films, but it hasn't taken her long to carve a niche.

Vidya excited about Urumi

Bollywood beauty Vidya Balan considers Santosh Sivan's much awaited Urumi as the most special film in her career. Reason? She has dubbed for herself in Malayalam for the first time in her career. Vidya Balan has a special song in the movie that she dedicates to her parents. She says she did the movie because her parents always wanted her to do a Malayalam movie.

The award winning actress will reportedly enact the role of a traditional Mohiniyattam dancer in a very sensuous manner and her dance will be a fusion of various classical and contemporary dance forms.

Rekha says no to Rana

Nobody says no to Rajinikanth. But Madame Rekha has just done it. The actress has walked out of Rajini starrer Rana due to some monetary issues with the film's producers.

The producers of the film are now planning to rope in Hema Malini for the same role.

The film features South Indian superstar Rajinikanth in a triple role and Deepika Padukone in the female lead. The other two women in the film are yet to be finalised, now that Rekha has dropped out.

According to a source, "Rekha was scheduled to be paired opposite the older Rajinikanth, while Deepika was all set to romance the younger one. However, there have been some monetary issues between Rekha and the producers.

She in not keen to work in the film, unless she is paid what she thinks she deserves. The producers of the film, Ocher Studios, have now spoken to Hema Malini for the role and will be meeting her shortly.

Apparently, Rekha asked for around four crores for the film and the producers were not ready for such a huge amount. That's why Rekha chose to walk out of the film."

When contacted, the official spokesperson of Eros refused to comment on the problems, saying, "We will make an announcement once the casting is done."

Rekha remained unavailable for comments.

Big B turns comedian for Rana

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be seen working with South demi God Rajnikanth in “Rana”. Big B will be acting a comic role in the movie.

As readers know that the two are good friends from a long time and have worked together in films like “Hum”, “Andha Kanoon” and “Giraftaar”.

Following the blockbuster success of “Robot”, Rajni is keeping no stone unturned for “Rana”, in which he is going to play triple role. Two of them are full-fledged parts, while the third is a cameo.

In the film, Rajni will be seen romancing Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan as well as Rekha.

According to the reports, Rekha will co-star opposite the older Rajnikanth, Vidya will be with the middle-aged character and Deepika opposite the youngest.

Co-incidentally, all the three actresses come from South Indian background. The film will also be made in Telugu and Tamil and Rekha is said to be excited about her role.

Rajni and Rekha earlier worked together in films like “Bhrashtachar”, “Phool Bane Angaaray” and “Bulandi”.

In the movie, Sonu Sood will be seen playing role of a bad man. The film will be directed by KS Ravi Kumar and will be jointly produced by Eros International and Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Ocher Studios Pvt Ltd. “Rana” will hit floors this April.

“Rana” is a very special film for music maestro A R Rahman as he will be working with filmmaker K.S. Ravi Kumar after a decade.

Cold war between Rani and Vidya

Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji may have kissed on a ZoOm show and the former may have sucked the latter's thumb on another show while publicising their film No One Killed Jessica, but post release the 'friends' have become enemies.

Things soured when reports of Rani hogging the limelight and during the promotions surfaced. Rani believed that she was being accused unfairly whole the truth was that VB was shooting and had no time to do her promotions for NOKJ. She also believed that these rumours were planted by Vidya.

Since then, the actresses haven't been in touch. Oh no.. SRK-Salman, Ranbir-Imran and now this jodi. What's happening to B-Town?

Ishqiya sequel coming up..

Going by the critical acclaim their film Ishqiya got last year, Shemaroo Entertainment and Vishal Bharadwaj Pictures have announced the sequel of the film.

Said Shemaroo Entertainmenr director Hiren Gada, “ The yet untitled film, to be directed by Abhishek Chaubey, will have the same cast and crew. Right now the film is in the scripting stage and once it is locked, we will think of incorporating a few other names as the script demands. In all probability, the film will go on the floors in the middle of this year."

It is said that several production houses had approached Chaubey to direct the sequel. He too was in talks and wanted to make a sequel to the film with John Abraham. But nothing worked out.

Chaubey took a long break to decide his next film. Once he firmed up his mind, he decided to go ahead and direct the Ishqiya sequel.

Big B to do a cameo in RANA

Temples have been built and aartis religiously conducted for these two superstars. Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, who are still worshiped by their loyal fans in north and south India respectively, are set to come together again on the silver screen after a gap of two decades.

We hear that Mr. Bachchan will have a guest appearance in Rajinikanth’s next film Rana. The movie, to be directed by K. S. Ravikumar, will have Rajinikanth in a triple role. Three actresses from Bollywood -- Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan and Rekha -- have reportedly been signed opposite Rajini in the film.

But one of the highlights is sure going to be the cameo by Big B. He will appear in the second half of the film but the details of his role are not being revealed.

Mr. Bachchan and Rajinikanth have previously worked in Hindi films like Giraftaar and Hum. They are very good friends and Big B even shared the stage with Rajinikanth during the promotions of the mega star’s last release Endhiran (Robot) last year, co-starring the Bachchan bahu Aishwarya Rai.

In Bed with Vidya Balan

The next-door, simple, down to earth gal Vidya Balan is no more carrying these titles as she shed her clothes for FHM. She is like any other Bollywood actress who gets into a sexy avatar to woo her male fans proving people wrong of the comments on her awful dressing sense. Vidya poses in an enormously hot and sexy manner for an international men’s magazine as she shoots in different style and poses - with the most eye-catching and attractable being the one that she has covered her nude body with white bed sheet.

Regarding the sultry photo shoot, Vidya said, "I think what we shot for the cover was really very interesting especially where we used sheets and all and it's just that there is a great sensuality to it. I always think that minimal make-up and no fuss hair takes away from everything and it's all about the eyes."

Vidya has not only shed her clothes for the shoot but also gets bold in her conversation. When asked what would it be like to have breakfast on bed, Vidya says, "If a guy had to make me breakfast in bed, I'd eat whatever he makes well.” She would want to go for the ‘aphrodisiac’ maple syrup with waffles, pancakes!