The film is a 2011 Bollywood semi-biographical drama film inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, an actress noted for her erotic roles.
Milan Luthria offered lead role to Kangana Ranaut, but Kangana was tired of playing 'the girl on the verge of a nervous breakdown', after playing similar kind of roles in Gangster (2006) and Fashion (2008).
Made on a budget of 18 crore (US$3.96 million), the film grossed 117 crore (US$25.74 million) worldwide and fetched several awards including a Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Balan and six Colors Screen Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
The film's first look and a short teaser were launched online on 26 August 2011. The film's trailer on YouTube got over 880,000 hits within a few days.
Since Silk Smitha was known to be a heavy smoker, Vidya Balan, to get into character, began smoking cigarettes regularly. She smoked almost a pack and a half a day. Sometimes before filming scenes she would smoke up to ten cigarettes consecutively, to get ready to get into character on set. After the end of the film though she quit.