Vidya Balan's new film, The Dirty Picture, is scheduled to open on Friday and it seems like the actress is in the mood to cash in on the overwhelming response that the film's pre-release hype has garnered. Industry sources say Vidya has reportedly made it clear she will sign Pyar Ke Side Effects 2, an offer she has been made opposite Farhan Akhtar, only if she is paid a price higher than the film's hero. "Pritish Nandy Communications are planning Shaadi Ke Side Effects, a sequel to their 2006 comedy hit Pyaar Ke Side Effects. The buzz is that they are keen to have Vidya and Farhan on board," an industry source said.

The source further added that while Rangita, daughter of Pritish Nandy, is excited about casting Vidya opposite Farhan, details have to be worked out. However, the initial buzz about the film indicates that no sooner were feelers sent out, Vidya reportedly indicated she would sign the film only if she was satisfied with the role and also hinted that she should be paid more than Farhan.

"Vidya is right now riding the best phase of her career. After Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica, The Dirty Picture is proof that she is among the few heroines who can drive box-office prospects of a film. Also, she is a versatile actress. It's hardly surprising if she wants to command a higher price than the hero in a film that will ride on her glamour and talent in a big way," the source said.

Traditionally, the male-dominated Bollywood shies away from overpricing actresses. No matter how popular a heroine is, she is expected to earn a fee lower than the hero. The rare exception was Sridevi in the early 90s. Around the time when Amitabh Bachchan had taken a brief sabbatical from films, Sridevi had reportedly become the highest-paid star by topping the pay packets of contemporary male superstars. The choice of the cast and crew of Shaadi Ke Side Effects will be decided soon and the film is expected to go on floors in the first half of 2012. Banned in Pakistan

Reports from Pakistan indicate that the Pakistan Film Censor Board (PFCB) has decided to ban the Vidya Balan-starrer, The Dirty Picture, scheduled to release worldwide on Friday. The Milan Luthria-directed film, which has Vidya Balan in a dare-bare avatar as she essays the tragic life story of 80s screen siren Silk Smitha, was obviously deemed too bold a subject for the PFCB.

The high and mighty of the Pakistan's film industry always resist the release of Hindi films, reportedly because they cause a serious dent in the business of Pakistani films. Earlier, the Aamir Khan-produced Delhi Belly was banned from commercial screening although the film did a roaring business in Pakistan's pirated video market.