Vidya Balan Defies Critics: "The Dirty Picture" Crosses 100 Crore, Ignites Stardom

• Vidya Balan faced career-ending predictions for romancing a much older hero in "The Dirty Picture."
• The small-budget, women-centric film defied expectations, grossing over Rs 100 crore worldwide.
• Her fearless portrayal, including gaining 12 kgs and intense scenes with Naseeruddin Shah, cemented her superstardom.
• The role earned Vidya a National Award for Best Actress and significantly boosted her career and remuneration.
• Kangana Ranaut initially declined the iconic role, later expressing regret over the film's massive success.

Why It Matters: Vidya Balan's bold choice in "The Dirty Picture" transformed criticism into a 100-crore success and superstardom.