Meet the sexiest woman in Asia...

 

 

You had planned to study medicine, and later you decided to pursue CA. How did you finally land up getting into modelling?

It’s quite crazy, whatever one is destined to do, one lands up doing the same. I always wanted to be a doctor, but then I went for Ford Super Model during my holidays and I won it, although I was not expecting to win. Next, I had to go for the internationals where I came third and got signed on by the Ford agency. I had to move to New York and I started modelling there. When I came back to India and started modelling, that was when I really began enjoying the profession, the travelling and being independent at that age. I just loved that life and it all happened to me just by chance.

What was it about acting that triggered you to take it up full time?

Nothing in my life is actually planned. I was quite bored of modelling and wanted to go back to college or start a restaurant. That’s when Ajnabee happened. It sounded like a very different film…a bit bold for that time. And the character I portrayed was also very different. So I agreed to do it. With my second film, the passion for wanting to be an actor got into me.

Your first film was with Abbas and Mustan and so also your last film with them – Race – which has just released. Tell us about them.

Once you get to know Abbas and Mustan, you’ll realise that they’re very nice and humble people. But they make quite a few twisted films with equally twisted characters, which can range from normal to grey to black. They are very unassuming. They shoot in a stylish manner and are very cued-on to today’s techniques of film making. Race was an amazing experience because it had very good actors, a very good story and a great screenplay. The music is good and there is freshness in the casting as well. So all in all, it was a very good experience.

You happen to be among the best combinations of a star-actor that we have today in Bollywood. Do you prefer to be considered first a star or an actor? Also, what kind of roles do you prefer; realistic ones like that in Corporate or comic ones like in No Entry?

I think a balance of both works for me. It would be very boring if I was doing only realistic films and my life would become really real and really boring! The amazing part of being an actor is the characters you get to be and the many parts you get to play. Regular Bollywood films are far from real life and these I think are more challenging than real-life films. The role I essayed in No Entry was much more difficult for me than those in realistic films.

Also, I think one has to be in command when one has a ready audience, who would want to see you experimenting. So I feel it’s smarter to do both.

You started off as a model, were labelled a sex symbol and are now a star! Were the sizzling roles in the beginning a deliberate attempt to make a mark in Bollywood?

I did Ajnabee just because I wanted to do something new. It was never an attempt to be an actor. I was doing something to entertain myself. But then I really loved Jism’s screenplay and it was something that no other actress would have picked at that point of time, because it was completely opposite to regular Bollywood roles. I found the character very challenging to portray and that’s why I picked it. Models make poor actors. Do you think you’ve proved the myth wrong?

I used to find this perception very entertaining, and I have faced it a lot of times myself. Earlier, models were considered very wooden, but I have always said, ‘to each his own’. You cannot have any kind of inhibitions when you are going to be an actor. It’s not about looking good all the time; at times you are low, at times you cry, and at times you scream – that’s definitely not going to make you look pretty. So, if you are going to be okay looking at yourself like that, you can be an actor. I have never had any hang-ups.

Tell us a bit about the real Bipasha.

I am normal yaar! With parents I am how any daughter would be; you love them and you want to be with them. Then, I also want to run away from them when they are there all the time and instead go and spend time with friends and have fun, just like all other girls. It is not like if you are an actor your life is any different from others.

How does your family react to your screen image?

They are very proud of me because at the end of the day I have always been responsible, even though I started early and was completely on my own. They like the fact that I get respect from people, from the media; and that I have made a name for myself without any help or any kind of compromise in life. They are proud of me. I can see it in their eyes; they don’t need to say it.

How would you want the world to view or remember your work?

It’s okay if they remember, it’s fine if they don’t. It’s all fine with me (laughs). I really don’t intend or aspire to be an icon, but if I can touch anybody’s life for even one second, I am happy.

You’ve never been secretive about your personal life. Does that save one from a lot of unwanted controversies?

No, it does not. I have been quite foolish about it actually...because no matter what you do, the probing and the scrutinising is always there. But I am now getting used to it. You’ve always maintained a fairly low profile. Are you in anyway upset with the media? Has this been a conscious decision?

No, no, not at all. We need to meet people and tell them about our work, be involved in the promotions, go for press conferences, attend to the media, and that’s when I talk. But when I am shooting, I am always travelling, so I don’t get to talk. When you work, you work, that’s about it. Which is that one film that you really loved doing and that one film you regret having worked in?

I love all my films, whether they come across as bad or good to others. I really value all the hard work put in by all the people involved. I definitely do not trash my film like many others do. I generally enjoy everything I am a part of. I make mistakes, but then again that is how one learns.

You had once said that you would want to get married on a beach and have the guests dressed in swim suits. Is that the plan still?

Oh yes, and my mother got really upset reading that! She fears, that as she is fat, she won’t be able to come for my wedding! I asked her to start working out and to get fitter. I’m not getting married anytime soon and so she has a lot of time to do that.

You had started dating John when you were at a high point in your career while he had just started off. Considering the kind of society we live in, did you guys ever face difficult times or go through a complicated phase?

Every relationship goes through its ups and downs, and so if you are normal, you will face problems just like any other normal couple. And it’s been just that, nothing more, nothing less. It all boils down to how you deal with it and how the companionship grows to something more mature.

You’re looking your best these days. How much do you enjoy working out? Has John been an inspiration?

I work-out everyday or at least six times a week. I love working-out but I don’t really like to control my diet. John provides zero inspiration; he likes me very fat, but loves to take the credit!

What according to you is the best thing about being famous?

I like the fact that there are so many people who, without truly knowing us, give us so much love. It’s quite crazy the way people love us. I don’t know if we are worthy of their love. They shower so much love and affection and the kind of effort that they put in to try to reach out to us is truly amazing.

What’s your biggest achievement?

I don’t know… These are tough questions like GK questions! I know I am an achiever, but I guess it would have to be when I bought my first house in Mumbai. The cost of living is so high here that I still can’t believe that I have my own penthouse.

If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?

I would be a little kind and would first wish for the world, that corruption and terrorism ends. My next wish would be that I become super-toned and would never have to worry about even an ounce of fat on my body, not even when I get really old! Lastly, I’d wish for everyone around me to be eternally happy and not go through sad times.