Ooh La La...Whatta Picture!!!

Movie: Dirty Picture

Cast:  Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor, Emraan Hasmi

Rating: ***1/2

This Movie is the journey of a woman from a struggler to a star to her downfall. It portrays how the insecurities of the society destroy the will of a person who tries to challenge the norm of this hypocrite society.

The Movie shows a girl Silk aka Reshma (Balan) who is brave and not afraid to speak her mind no matter how bad that may sound.  She is struggling to find a spot in the films as a dancing artist. She is not shown as a vulnerable woman who innocent about the working of the film industry. She is ready to sleep her way to get into films. This helps her land a role with the Superstar Suryakant (Shah). Then there is no looking back for her as the sex symbol of every movie. The more the critics shunned her the more the public loved her. On the way she starts having an affair with Ramakant (Tusshar) to get back at Suryakant. Also there is Mohammad (Hashmi) whose love – hate relationship continues with Silk throughout.

But soon Silk’s high headed attitude, competition from other girls and the society’s hypocrisy led to her downfall. This led to her taking refuge in alcohol and running her life.

But this movie portrays a woman with substance, how she knows clearly what she wants and has no qualms about anything she does to get it. She clearly points out the double standards by saying how people enjoyed her performances on screen and demeaned her in real life. Also she shows how ever person is just wearing a mask of decency but from within everyone is a pervert.

This film has given birth to a legend in Bollywood, Vidya Balan. Bold is a very negative word being used for her. All sort of Bollywood actresses are wearing bikinis and skimpy outfits but Vidya Balan just shows her cleavage and we call her “Bold”. She proves that one does not have to be “size zero” to be an actress. Vidya performance is brave and inspiring. I cannot imagine any other Bollywood actress having the guts to take up such a role. She is impeccable throughout, right from her dialogue delivery to her sexual moves. Her entire journey from being a struggler to a star to finally a failing star is so beautiful. She is simply outstanding.

As for the other performances Naseeruddin Shah as the aged superstar is perfect. Tusshar seemed lost in the film with nothing to bring to the audience or to thr film. Emraan Hashmi has given a matured performance. The dialogues deserve a big applause as it forms the lifeline of the film. Except for a few over the top, dramatic scenes the direction has been very good being able to handle such a difficult story by not making it vulgar at all.

This movie goes out to all the women. It shows how women are not vulnerable or objects you can play with. They are strong and brave and can stand up for themselves in this world which has tried to suppress them for so long.