Vidya Balan (Tamil: வித்யா பாலன்; born 1 January 1978) is an Indian actress, who appears in Hindi films. After graduating with a degree in sociology, she started her career starring in music videos, television shows and commercials, before appearing in feature films.

Born: Vidya P Balan
1 January 1978 (age 33)
Palakkad, Kerala, India
Occupation: Actress
Years active: 2003–present

The film is an account of the life of the doomed sex symbol Silk Smitha and Indian sexploitation films of the 1980s era, especially in Tamil cinema.

As reported by The Times Of India, "The Dirty Picture will not focus on the sleaze but the tragedy behind the mask of the sex symbol who provided titillation to thousands of viewers but died a lonely and tragic death."

The Dirty Picture (Hindi: द डर्टी पिक्चर) is an upcoming Bollywood biopic on the life of the South Indian movie siren Silk Smitha, directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, together after their last hit Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010). The film stars Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles. It is scheduled for release nationwide on December 2, 2011 on the birth anniversary of Smitha.

Directed by: Milan Luthria
Produced by: Ekta Kapoor
Dheeraj shenoy
Screenplay by: Rajat Arora
Starring: Vidya Balan
Naseeruddin Shah
Emraan Hashmi
Tusshar Kapoor
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar
Cinematography: Bobby Singh
Editing by: Akiv Ali
Distributed by: Balaji Motion Pictures
ALT Entertainment
Release date: December 2, 2011
Country: India
Language: Hindi