On December 2, 2011, Vidya Balan left a mark in the industry with her film The Dirty Picture. The film was not just critically acclaimed but Vidya received the highest honors for her performance. Her dialogue, “it’s only “entertainment, entertainment, and entertainment that works at the box office still holds good. It doesn’t matter if it’s by a male protagonist or a female.
The Ekta Kapoor production, The Dirty Picture, directed by Milan Luthria proved to be the super hit at the ticket window. It was the highest-grossing film led by a female flag bearer at that point in time.
The Dirty Picture film was a box office success
Nevertheless, the film raked in Rs 80 crore at the domestic box office with footfalls of 1.15 crore. It was a record back then and it paved way for a new wave of cinema led by the leading ladies of our industry.
Apart from Vidya Balan, the film also featured Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah, and Tusshar Kapoor. However, it was mainly Vidya, who was riding the project on her shoulders. The film was keenly anticipated right from the time when its trailers were released. Rajat Arora’s dialogues particularly had caught the attention of the audience.
In addition to the dialogues, it was the music, with Ooh La La emerging a chartbuster of classic proportion. The film won three National Film Awards including Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up Artist. The success of The Dirty Picture provided producers with more confidence. They felt safe in bankrolling projects led by the female torchbearers.
Subsequent to The Dirty Picture, Vidya consolidated the success with another smash hit, Kahaani. It has been a decade since the film’s release, and it continues to be the fourth highest-grossing film for the producer, Ekta Kapoor. The producer’s other blockbusters were Dream Girl, Veere Di Wedding, and Ek Villain.
Meanwhile, The Dirty Picture is also among the highest-grossing female-led films even today. Interestingly, exactly a day after the release of The Dirty Picture, Milan Luthria, and Rajat Arora are all set for the release of Tadap. This film marks the acting debut of Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan.
