Hitherto-good boy Tusshar Kapoor will be seen in a bold avatar, complete with a kiss and a lovemaking scene in Dirty Picture, where co-star Vidya Balan will play Silk Smitha

You have been cast in Dirty Picture, which explores the Silk Smitha story. Did you know the 1980s actress at all?
I have grown up watching her songs as my father (film star Jeetendra) has done so many films in the South. She played the cabaret dancer in so many of his films such as Jaani Dost, Akalmand, Hoshiyar etc. In the early 1980s, we would visit Annapurna studio where huge dance sets would be put up and Silk Smitha would be a regular face. But I never interacted with her then. I was too young.

What is your role in Dirty Picture?
I'm playing one of her love interests. He is a stabilising influence in her life. He is climbing up the ladder of success, and is clear that he wants a normal relationship despite her unconventional life. Milan sir (director, Luthria) asked me to see Shyam Benegal's Bhoomika to get ideas from Amol Palekar's role, though in that film he had some shades of grey.