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Bipasha Basu is multi-tasking these days...doing films, shooting ads, hitting gym for fitness, tweeting, and of course, there's John. In addition, the sultry beauty is shouldering a new responsibility of being face of a Bengali channel. Our correspondent catches up with the hot bod in Kolkata
What made you become the brand ambassador of a Bengali entertainment channel?
I am extremely proud to be associated with a happening and diverse channel like Mahuaa Bangla. This is like homecoming for me because Kolkata is where I originally belong to. My roots lie in this city.
Your latest film LAMHAA is receiving quite positive reviews. Were you a bit apprehensive about donning a burkha and playing a Kashmiri woman, instead of playing a hottie?
Not at all. I know if my fans truly love me so much, they will accept me in any avatar...after all; I am an actor and should explore my genres.
But at one point you wanted to leave this film?
No I never left the film; but I left Kashmir. When we went to shoot there for the first time, a lot of incidents happened which were very disturbing and scary. We have to admit this fact that Kashmir is unpredictable. It's a beautiful place; there is a lot of security, but kab kya ho jaye sabko bahut darr lagta hai. During the first one week, there were stone-throwing, mob used to stop shooting almost every day. I was brave enough to last there for seven days. But then, when we went back for the second time after elections, it was very relaxing and calming. It felt like a different place altogether.
You have done quite a few de-glam roles in recent past (APAHARAN, CORPORATE). Is it a conscious effort to balance glam and de-glam roles?
It's not that I have played de-glam roles in APAHARAN or CORPORATE or LAMHAA...they are realistic. In CORPORATE, I play a top brass of the company who dresses up very glamorously. But the no-make up look added realism to the character. In LAMHAA, I play a girl who heads a party. She has a lot of fire and strength in her...she is the one who can combat even in a salwar-kameez. Or, take the Bengali film SOB CHATRITRO KALPONIK...there I look very glamorous in saree, bindi...but that's realistic...that's how Bengali women dress up. So, you see realistic films and commercial cinema...that's what Bollywood is all about. And I feel, if I can create a balance, its fun for an actor.
Now you have a place in Bollywood. So you can take a risk...
I disagree with you. Look at the film in which I debut (AJNABEE)...no newcomer would have taken a risk to debut in a negative character when there was so much choice. But I did that film because I found the role different. Even when my career was booming, I choose a film like JISM which every A-list actresses were refusing and were scared to do. I always go by my gut-feel. I don't have a tried and tested formula for success.
It seems you love experimenting with life. You wanted to become a doctor and then went on to become an actor. True?
I was a science student and I still feel science was the right field for me. I was a good student. But taking up commerce for graduation was a wrong decision. I had no interest in commerce. So, it's very important to make your choices right. But then, I have done so much in life that I can't ask for more. In fact, my inclination towards bio-sciences has resurfaced in the past 6-7 years. I am an actor by profession, but my passion is health and fitness. The reason I have got into this fitness thing is because of my understanding and wanting to understand the human body right.
Media buzz says, John Abraham is behind your 'fit and fabulous' look...
John has inspired me in many ways. But many times he confused me as well. For example, when I had put on a lot of weight, he was the only one who never told me about my flab...he still used to call me 'hot' and 'sexy'
Hi, finally we manage to catch you?
(Ha...ha...ha). Yes, I have been running all this time. I am tired and I need a good sleep. I am just back from London after shooting for LONDON DREAMS and now I start shooting for 10 Ka Dum. It's work, work and work and nothing else.
Do you still feel the same about the media, hold grudges and wishfully avoid them?
I never avoided the media. Truly, speaking I don't have any grudges. See, I am ready to give all the answers. Actually, I have changed. There was a time, when I would show my annoyance but every action is guided by a reason. The media annoyed me. I still feel there are certain questions, which are personal, which only my parents or maybe the ones who are really close to me have the right to ask. If someone asks such questions, I can always get annoyed. My fans never ask me such questions...not even my senior colleagues because they know it might be in bad taste and be demeaning. Now it's different. I have grown over the years and avoid all the questions. (Laughs)
So you say you have changed...
Of course I have. I think that's the best thing to do. I have stopped reacting to things. In fact that helps. This is the new way to be in news. Earlier, whenever I said something, it got misrepresented. Now, that I don't at least the news doesn't get distorted. Earlier I wasn't matured. Now I have cooled down.
But controversy never seems to elude you.
What can I do? I don't create it. I know the media's problem. A good article is always boring but if you spice it up, it works and that is how people get such stories.
The latest one is Claudia...
Which Claudia? (Laughs) Schiffer? Or are you asking about Ciesla?
Its former Playboy model and actress Claudia Ciesla who is being linked with you?
(Ha...Ha...Ha). I know. I too have been reading about all these in the newspapers. Okay let me clear it out. I know Claudia, as an actress, she had come to my house only once, spent some time and even met my family. That's all and nothing more.
Apparently, you had to compromise on your fee this year for 10 Ka Dum.
Compromise! (Gives a mischievous smile). Recession... recession!!!! See they made me cut down my fee citing recession as a reason. (Grins)
In fact it is said that you are doing it at half the price.
No...no...no... come on... I also have some market value. I can't cut it down so much. (Smiles)
You must be thrilled to be thrilled to host it once again.
Of course I am thrilled. It was during the last year only when I knew that this show is going to be a hit. And now that it's a hit I am hosting it for the second time and I would now love to host it for another couple of seasons. See... I love this show. It is a common man's show and my fans also get to see me as the common man. I am just like them and today whatever I am it's because of the public. They have made me what I am; else I would not even get the job of a darwaan (gatekeeper). They have the body and height and I don't even have that.
Okay, tell me why didn't you vote in the just concluded general elections?
See, I know that this is one thing that will be asked now but I wasn't in India. Had I been here I would certainly have voted. I was shooting in London... a lot of money has gone in the project and I was doing my work with my costars, director and the producer. I don't want to show off by flying down to India to vote only to get clicked outside the polling booth. And where there were only 27 per cent, 36 per cent and 47 per cent votes in some places my one vote wouldn't have mattered much. But yes, had I been in India, I would certainly have cast my vote.
But Shah Rukh Khan flew down all the way from South Africa to vote.
May be he has more money than me. I am not that rich. (Laughs)
However, you campaigned for everyone in Bollywood this year.
(Cuts in) No, not everyone, but only my friends.
Who would you invite as guests in 10 Ka Dum this time.
This time it's up to the channel. They will be take a call but I am really looking forward to have some interesting guests. Last time was fun and I still feel Aamir should have attempted the last questions and made more money. It was one of the best episodes.
So you don't have any problems with Aamir?
I don't have any problems with anyone. And why are you asking only about Aamir. I don't have any problems with Shah Rukh. (Smiles) And even if there's a problem why should I tell you. (Ha...ha...ha). Look I have matured now.
But last year you invited so many of your friends to the show.
I think I am not left with any friends. (Laughs once again). But I would really love to have people like Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Govinda, Sunny (Deol) and Dharmendraji to the show. Among women I would really love to have Madhuri (Dixit) and Sridevi as guests. Let's see what happens.
So, how has your shooting been going on?
I have four releases. First it's WANTED and the MAIN AUR MRS KHANNA and then LONDON DREAMS comes sometime near Diwali and then VEER.
And both VEER and WANTED are action films.
In fact, VEER has more action. The story is based in 18th century and it was more taxing than WANTED. And I am not saying this because it's my production. We have shot most of the film and the shooting in Jodhpur is over and the rest will be shot soon.
You have also written the story of VEER. So are you seriously considering scriptwriting?
See it's in my blood. It's as simple as that. I will write more of it in future and I am enjoying life. I have four releases this year and it's after a long time and all are different kinds of films. So you know how immersed I am in work.
Okay so when do you get married?
Soon...very soon. My parents are putting pressure on me (laughs). So eventually I will.
Bipasha Basu is multi-tasking these days...doing films, shooting ads, hitting gym for fitness, tweeting, and of course, there's John. In addition, the sultry beauty is shouldering a new responsibility of being face of a Bengali channel. Our correspondent catches up with the hot bod in Kolkata 