An Interview with ‘Dirty Picture’ director, Milan Luthria

His risque drama The Dirty Picture features four times in the nominations list — for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Vidya Balan) and Song of the Year (Ooh La La)
Luthria is currently basking in the success of the raunchy drama. But he tells tabloid! that there was a time when he couldn't even find buyers for his tale about a doomed '80s sex siren.

"People thought families and women will not go and watch this film. The movie has been a series of surprises — it has changed a lot of lives," said Luthria.

The film made on a modest budget went on to take several million at the box office.
"It's very strange. I made this movie for myself. People thought I had gone mad, making a movie called The Dirty Picture. They told me to make a big-budget, regular kind of film. But then I just went with my instincts. First, there were great reviews, then we learnt that it has crossed the Rs1 billion (Dh700,000) mark at the box office and now we are winning awards. It's a series of surprises"

His film has scooped many awards including the Colors Screen Awards. And his biggest strength?

"I don't think we have re-defined cinema. But rarely does art meet commerce so well. That doesn't come often."

Asked if awards in Bollywood were driven by star-power and their attendance, Luthria called it a "mixed bag".

"Awards are commercially driven and we don't live in a pure society. At the same time, one hopes that people get it largely right. The whole idea of a jury evokes a certain kind of respect."