An Exclusive Interview With Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu, the current sex symbol, argues that sex appeal is important and there is no reason why glamour and talent can’t go together

'Aetbaar' Preview

What is Aetbaar about?
It’s about a father and daughter. While the father (Amitabh Bachchan) is very close to her, she finds a man (John Abraham) who is madly in love with her. The daughter is torn between the possessive father and the obsessive lover. She is drawn towards this man, much against her father’s wishes.

This is your first film with Bachchan. Did you feel nervous?
No. He is a very warm and affable gentleman. I am extremely close to my father and while shooting with Bachchan there were times when I felt that I was with my father. There were plenty of those precious moments.

The film was stalled for financial reasons. Were you disappointed then?
Yes, of course, as there were many plus points to working in Aetbaar. I was getting to work for the first time with Amitabh Bachchan. Then there was my favourite director Vikram Bhatt who gave me Raaz. And of course, there was John too!

Then Tata Infomedia took over the project. Any difference in their style of working?
This corporate house was very particular about everything. Before you asked, you got it. There were no ifs and buts. The hotel and travel arrangements were wonderful.

  Can you elaborate on your role in Aetbaar?
I play a college girl for the first time. Usually newcomers play young college girls but I got to do such a role after almost a dozen films. I still remember Vikram telling me to behave like a college girl and I told him I didn’t know how to because after I completed school I began modelling and then got into films. College was something I did through correspondence so I really had no clue how a college girl behaves!

  You are being compared to Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi as a sex symbol.
These women are individuals in their own right and I have my individual style and image. But at the end of the day, why should I mind being called a sex symbol? I think a certain amount of sex appeal is important. We live in a world where people come together. because they find something attractive, something sexy in the other person. If a person is devoid of sex-appeal, he/she is a no-no for me. Above all, I am in the film industry where people are supposed to make heads turn. Else why are we here?

  Does your sex symbol tag come in the way of film-makers considering you for serious roles?
Frankly, I don’t mind being called a sex symbol. But if you see Raaz where I wore polo necks and Gunaah where I played a cop, you’ll definitely agree that I can do other than sexy stuff too. In India there is a belief that a sexy heroine cannot do justice to an arty role. That’s a myth. Thankfully, the scenario is changing, though I would like that to happen at a faster rate. Put me in a saree, I’ll look truly Indian. Put me in a Western outfit, I won’t disappoint you.

  People are talking about you and John Abraham...
I take it very sportingly. But I am not going to reveal the private side of my life.


S...DC