Milan Luthria, director of The Dirty Picture, talks about sending his leading actors rolling down a hill with oranges, and why he had been dodging Vidya Balan's calls

Why did you cast Vidya in The Dirty Picture? This bold role is completely against her image. Even Ekta was zapped when I told her that I wanted Vidya for this role. Nobody else could do what I had in mind. She is a South Indian and has the classic Indian voluptuousness which you don't see anymore.


Director Milan Luthria (right) directing actors Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin
Shah on the sets of The Dirty Picture

Did you have to tweak any bold outfits or change intimate scenes?
When she first read the script, she was not happy. She is a little conservative so it was tough for her. But then she realised that there was no point being stressed. She had to decide whether to do it or not. There were times when I went up to her and said, 'Look, this neckline is too low/the skirt is too short,' but she said, 'No, that's the character.' She was very clear about the difference between who she is in person and the character she is playing.