Mumbai, Dec. 2 -- Fourteen years ago, on 2 December 2011, The Dirty Picture hit theatres like a cinematic jolt - bold, fearless and unafraid to challenge the norms of its time. Female-led films were still rare, often restrained and formula-driven. But Ekta Kapoor's vision, powered by Vidya Balan's groundbreaking, career-defining performance, shifted the narrative and reshaped how a heroine could be portrayed, celebrated and remembered in mainstream Indian cinema.

A Performance That Became a Cultural Moment

Vidya Balan's portrayal of Silk remains one of the most impactful performances of the last two decades. She brought unmatched intensity, vulnerability and audacity to the character, crafting a woman who was layered, magnetic, flawed a...