Neha Dhupia's body of work is finally getting recognised. After trading sex for money in Julie, she has replaced the legendary Meena Kumari as reel life idol for Delhi's prostitutes.

The former Miss India has certainly become a force to reckon with in the world's oldest profession. Her pictures are plastered across every brothel on GB Road, the capital's red light area. Meena Kumari, who once ruled the roost with her memorable performance in Pakeezah, is now a distant second in the popularity charts.

Most young sex workers have glazed posters from Julie on their walls and in the balconies. Others have got framed Neha Dhupia snapshots displayed reverentially on racks.

Shamim, a 29-year-old sex worker, insists that times have changed. "Only those who have been around for the last forty or fifty years are still fond of Meenaji. They like listening to her songs and see her films over and over again. According to them, they used to dance to the tunes from her films when mujras were in vogue. But today no one comes here to see us dance. Mujras are history and so is Meenaji. Her poster has therefore lost relevance. Young girls can no longer relate to her; only the oldest residents of GB Road continue to care for Meenaji," she says.

Another prostitute Salma confirms Dhupia's iconic status in the trade. "We start identifying ourselves with anyone who portrays the tragedy and difficulty of our lives. Although some of the girls have Kareenaji's posters from Chameli in their rooms, most idolise Nehaji. Perhaps of all the actresses who have played prostitute on screen, she brought out the character most convincingly. After all, a prostitute is just a prostitute. It doesn't matter if she is a high society call girl or a street walker like us," she says.