In Bollywood destiny often decides which actor gets remembered for a role and The Dirty Picture is one such case. The film released in 2011 became one of Vidya Balan’s biggest hits and changed the course of her career. But few people know that the role of Silk was not meant for her initially. The film’s makers had first approached another top actress of that time Kangana Ranaut. Who was first offered the role of Silk? Before Vidya Balan stepped into the bold and complex shoes of Silk Smitha the part was offered to Kangana Ranaut. The actress herself confirmed this on multiple occasions. Kangana once said “Mujhe is role ko nahi karne ka koi pachtava nahi hai. Jaisa main hamesha kehti aayi hoon ki The Dirty Picture ek shandaar film hai. Mujhe nahi lagta ki main Vidya Balan se zyada acche dhang se ise nibha sakti thi. Is film mein woh kamaal ki hain. Lekin kai baar mujhe lagta hai ki main is film se judi sambhavanayon ko pehchan nahi pai thi.” Her statement reflected both honesty and admiration for Vidya’s performance. Kangana admitted that while she saw the potential later she initially failed to realise what the film could become. What made The Dirty Picture such a phenomenon? Directed by Milan Luthria and written by Rajat Arora The Dirty Picture was produced by Ekta Kapoor. The film featured Vidya Balan Emraan Hashmi Naseeruddin Shah and Tusshar Kapoor in pivotal roles. Set in the South Indian film industry of the 1980s the movie told the story of a small-town girl who becomes a sensational actress facing fame controversy and loneliness. Its mix of glamour bold storytelling and emotional depth connected strongly with audiences across the country. How much did it earn at the box office? With a modest budget of around Rs 18 crore The Dirty Picture surprised everyone with its box office run. The film collected an estimated Rs 117 crore worldwide making it one of the biggest blockbusters of 2011. For Vidya Balan it wasn’t just another successful movie it was a career-defining moment that established her as one of the most fearless and talented actresses in Indian cinema. Was it based on a real-life story? Many believed The Dirty Picture was directly inspired by the life of actress Silk Smitha who rose to fame in South Indian cinema during the 1980s. However the makers clarified that the story was not an official biopic of Silk Smitha. Instead it drew inspiration from several actresses of that era including Disco Shanti and others who faced similar struggles. Despite that the similarities were unmistakable and the film offered a raw emotional portrayal of how fame and loneliness often coexist in the world of stardom. What did Vidya Balan achieve from the film? Vidya Balan’s fearless and layered performance as Silk earned her massive critical acclaim. She went on to win the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role one of the most prestigious honours in Indian cinema. The success of The Dirty Picture not only cemented her position as a powerhouse performer but also broke stereotypes about how mainstream Hindi films portrayed women on screen. Highlights: Kangana Ranaut was the first choice for The Dirty Picture but declined the role. Vidya Balan’s performance as Silk won her the National Award for Best Actress. Made on Rs 18 crore the film grossed Rs 117 crore and became a 2011 blockbuster.