Neil wanted me to sing: Bipasha Basu

march.26.09
Bipasha Basu is out to prove that she can rock in all kinds of roles. TOI catches up with this sexy actor

There is something about Bipasha: something special and different that distinguishes her in its own unique way. This year, the dusky beauty is all set to surprise her fans by showcasing her talent in diverse roles. There is her much talked about forthcoming film in which she co-stars with Neil Nitin Mukesh. What is it all about?

She tells us, “It’s definitely a different genre of film. But it’s not exactly science fiction. Neither have we promoted it as one. It does not have too much of special effects or the dramatic use of SFX. It’s a very simple story told simply only with a sci-fi twist to it.” From what we have been hearing, the actor seems to have loved working with her co-star Neil. Bips agrees, “Oh, he is a fantastic guy to work with. Though this was just his second film, he didn’t feel like a newcomer at all! He is extremely good fun on the sets but, at the same time, extremely focussed. That is something I really appreciate. You know, I play a DJ, and Neil tried his best to make me do a playback gig in the film. But, I do not come from a musical family. So I’m glad that did not happen.”

What about Lamhaa, which is based on a sensitive subject? “Lamhaa is a film which is set in modern-day Kashmir with its existing issues. I play a Kashmiri girl, and Kunal Kapoor plays the lead opposite me. It’s a little early to talk about the film, but it’s beautifully dealt with.”

Variety will be on show this year, which is why we cannot leave out Pankh, another forthcoming release of hers. “The subject of the film is very unusual. It is about this boy who plays female characters in films as a child artiste. As a result, he grows up with many issues. It’s not that he is gay. He is not confused about his sexuality because he secretly fantasises about his favourite heroine as his best friend. It’s a deep film that will push you to think — and, to some extent you can even call it depressing.

Bipasha has just wrapped up Rituparno Ghosh’s film, Sab Charitro Kalponik. Telling us about her first stint with Bengali cinema, she reflects, “It was a journey for me just like my character. I play a non-resident Bengali, a practical woman with no artistic side to her, somebody who believes in working and earning her living and is married to a poet.”

How was the experience of working with Rituparno? “You know people believe that Rituparno must be a really serious guy because he makes these arty films. But, I think, he is anything but serious. It was just damn good fun in between shots!”

She has played romantic characters, those with grey shades, been an item girl, and played action-packed roles. What is it that she loves the most? She says, “Absolutely all of them! You cannot be in this industry if you are not passionate about what you do. I can do an arty film, and then a comedy like the forthcoming All the Best which is in the genre of No Entry. I’m enjoying all of it!” Needless to say, so are we.