Ever since word about The Dirty Picture started getting around, it was termed as a biopic on late southern siren Silk Smitha. Replete with kitschy clothes, dramatic song sequences and the whole retro works, the film was indeed reminiscent of that time in films when Silk Smitha had reigned and captured the moviegoers' imagination.

As the Vidya Balan-starrer gears up for release this Friday, director Milan Luthria tells Sonil Dedhia how the film is not just about one iconic item girl from down south but the trend that she was a part of. The Dirty Picture is one of the most awaited films of the year...

Yes, there has been an amazing buzz all over the world. It's a tremendous response to a film that does not have a superstar cast or Rs 50 crore budget. I won't deny the fact that I used sex as a marketing tool, but at the end of the day, I have made a good film with some great performances.