Diva unplugged

She also mentions ‘Aakrosh’ as one film which tested her acting abilities. “I didn’t really like that role of a beaten,bruised woman because in real life I would have punched the man who did that. There was definitely a lot of acting in that film. I remember Paresh Rawal used to be scared beating me up saying,Yeh toh ghooma ke maaregi.”

Quickly noted for her acting prowess and magnetic sex-appeal in films like ‘No Entry’,’Corporate’,’Dhoom:2′, she went on to impress critics and trade analysts alike.

“That Bipasha is doing well for herself after 10 years says a lot for her. She was good in her first film ‘Ajnabee’ and has taken big steps forward in evolving herself as an actress and as a person,” says film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh,while Amod Mehra agrees that Bipasha is a very fine actress,has the oomph factor,and is hardworking. “A little bit of luck in terms of films and she will go a long way,” says the analyst.

On her part Basu has her favourites like ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’,’Shob Charitro Kalponik’ and ‘Lamhaa’,and is amused by the ‘sexy’ tag she has earned from the beginning of her career. In fact she’s loving it now. “I was called sexy from my first film. After ‘Corporate’,they called me a sexy corporate woman and after ‘Aakrosh’,they called me a sexy housewife despite being bruised and battered in the film. I realise the tag is going to stay with me,and now I want to die known as a sexy person,” she says.

Basu admits that it’s been an interesting journey and she’s changed over the years. She is mature and responsible,and quite happy to be cruising in her own space,though not very ambitious. “Honestly,it doesn’t seem like 10 years,but today I love my profession and am very responsible towards it. In fact,’Jodi Breakers’ is the first film I have chased in 10 years. I remember reading the script and forgetting about it for two years as I did not have the dates. Then one afternoon,I woke up and asked my manager,Tanuja,about the film. I asked her to find out what happened to the project,and she went on a wild-goose chase. It was on the sets of ‘Players’ that Omi Vaidya told me that he had signed a new film that sounded so much like ‘Jodi Breakers’. A little probing and I found the producers had changed hands,but somehow I got the film,” she says with a glint in her eye.

Sonali,her character in the film,is one of the most refreshing that she has played till date,she remarks. “I have never played a character who is so much like me. In fact you will get a reflection of the real Bipasha for the first time. She’s a fun-loving normal girl and like me has a quirky sense of dressing,makes funny faces,and is quite crazy in all that she does. Like me she is very talkative. It was fun adding the nuances.”

Not to mention that she got to act with R Madhavan of whom she has always been a big fan. During the shooting she behaved like a true,mad fan hovering around him all the time,embarrassing him in the process. “I could not help it. He’s truly a wonderful actor. He does not have to have six-packs or typical Bollywood hero looks but he’s fab when he comes on screen. Thankfully we complemented each other though in a very peculiar way,” she grins,adding that in the film they are in a new-age profession and counsel couples in unhappy relationships,advising them to separate.

Interestingly,the actress who parted ways with beau John Abraham after nine years of togetherness,has the same take in real life too,saying that a couple should separate when a relationship does not work out. “If you are unhappy in a relationship,break up,and you have another chance to find someone,” she asserts.

Basu,who has worked with a host of new directors did not have any qualms about working with Ashwini Chaudhary,who has yet to make his mark in the industry. “I have never doubted anyone because they are new. Basically you have to gauge the person and trust him. Ashwini is wonderful because he gives a lot of freedom to his actors and encourages you to come up with your own lines and expressions. I watched the rough cut recently and I had this silly smile on my face and I was getting teary-eyed. I watch films very objectively and I think Ashwini has done a good job.”

From this happy space of a romcom,the actress points out that she just stepped into ‘Raaz 3D’,a very dark and compelling film. “I was telling Vikram that I was happy to see him,but he had pushed the button on me. On the first day of shooting he shot the most difficult scene and it was exhausting. The story is human,emotional with more lust,horror and love,as Vikram puts it,” she says adding she’s quite at peace doing sequels as long as the film is good and there’s a strong branding to it.

Her future projects include a brief role in Abbas-Mustan’s ‘Race 2’ and she is in talks with Shyam Benegal for a project. Though she’s not telling,she could very well be a part of Ghayal Returns with Sunny Deol. Otherwise she’s eagerly awaiting the release of her Hollywood film,Singularity in which she plays an 18th century warrior. “I am in touch with everyone connected to the film,and they tell me that things are being sorted out. However,the release date has not been fixed as yet.”

Bipasha who has learnt a lot about movie making on the sets watching her directors like Abbas-Mustan,Vishal Bhardwaj,Madhur Bhandarkar etc at work,is reportedly set to turn producer herself. “Immediately after ‘Raaz 3D’ I will produce my Fitness DVD. Films are big projects and I need the support from my team. On the other hand,I feel I should stick to acting because so many girls are going into production,” she says reflectively.

The actress says that though she loves her profession,it’s not her life,and there’s a lot more to her than acting. “I like to put my feet up and live my life besides working. I also follow a clinical process after the release of my films. I don’t stay attached to films post release and move ahead. However,I felt bad when ‘Players’ failed because Abbas-Mustan are like family and they had put lot of heart in it,” she says a tad sadly.

However,success or failure,the actress is not the one to dwell on the past. She’s already moved on.