The Dirty Picture 2: Ektaa Kapoor Confirms 'One Very Big' Sequel 15 Years After Vidya Balan Played Silk Smitha

Fifteen years after The Dirty Picture brought Silk Smitha's life to the big screen and became a blockbuster, producer Ektaa Kapoor has announced a sequel is in the works. She said she has finally found a story she wants to tell, though details about the film's lead character, cast, and release date remain under wraps. The 2011 film, featuring Vidya Balan, subverted traditional conceptions of female sexuality, ambition and public judgment. Ektaa said she never considered Silk Smitha a victim, but as a woman who had her sexuality on her own terms.

Ektaa Kapoor shared that Dirty Picture 2 is one of the big films she is working on. The producer also said the sequel would focus on an individual's story. But she has not disclosed whose life or experience the new film will be based on. The actors, director and release date have not yet been disclosed. "I had been thinking about the sequel for years, but I wanted to move ahead only when I got a story that was worth telling," the producer said during a recent appearance on Ranveer Allahbadia's podcast.

"One very big film I'm making is The Dirty Picture 2. I'm planning it after 15 years. This time, I believe there is a story I want to tell. The Dirty Picture was about Silk Smitha. It was about a woman who was condemned for standing up against her sexuality," she said.

According to her, "Ab sexuality is about your choice. Maine kabhi usse victim ki tarah nahi dekha. I saw her as someone who celebrated her sexuality, and the film did so well (Sexuality is your choice. I never saw Silk Smitha as a victim but as a person celebrating her choices)."

Vidya Balan's The Dirty Picture also starred Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor. It released on December 2, 2011, and was directed by Milan Luthria, with Ektaa Kapoor producing. The story was inspired by the life of South Indian actress Silk Smitha, who rose to fame for her screen presence and her work in several films.

The story followed a woman's ascension in the entertainment sector, analysing how fame, desire and social norms moulded her public image. The film was about her ambition and her refusal to be like other women, not just the tragedy of her life.

Vidya Balan has talked before about how making The Dirty Picture was a really meaningful experience for her. Looking back at the film, she said the opportunity to act as Silk Smitha and work with the team was reward enough in itself.

"I think the biggest award was The Dirty Picture. I got an opportunity to play Silk and to work with this team is the biggest award. Everybody has loved this film, and we are grateful for that," she said in 2012.