Vidya Balan: 'Got addicted to smoking after The Dirty Picture, I enjoy smoking, I love the smell of smoke'

Vidya Balan is one of the most ferocious actresses we have who always sinks her teeth into the characters she essays. One such character was the late South siren Silk Smitha in Milan Luthria’s The Dirty Picture. She was unabashed, uncouth, seductive, and scorching.

In an interview with Samdish, the actress confessed of having got addicted to smoking post essaying the central character. She revealed, “ After The Dirty Picture, I got addicted." “I had smoked before shooting for the film. I knew how to smoke but I didn’t really smoke…you know what it is. But as a character, you can’t just fake it. I couldn’t have that hesitation because there is a certain perception about women who smoke. Much less now, far more before,” shared the actor.

Vidya Balan added, “But I enjoy smoking. If you tell me a cigarette would do no harm to you, then I would do it. I love the smell of smoke. Even at bus stops in my college days, I would stand next to people who would smoke."

“Nepotism or no nepotism, I am here. Kisi ki baap ki industry nahi hai, nahi toh har baap ka beta, har baap ki beti successful hote (The film industry does not belong to anyone’s father, else every star kid would be successful),” said Balan while talking to Indian Express.

She added, “I have been happy doing my own things. There were times when I felt like, ‘Maybe if I had the protection of certain people, people would have been a bit kinder in those phases.’ But in terms of opportunities, I don’t think anybody has been able to deny me my share.”