Bipasha Basu scores over Mallika Sherawat

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day
Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bipasha Basu has scored a huge one over Mallika Sherawat. While Malli made Rs 50 lakh last year on New Year"s Eve, Bips will be making almost double — a whopping 90 lakh for her performance this year! The cost of tickets have also gone up too from Rs 9000 last year they are priced Rs 11,500 this year.

A source close to Bipasha says, “It"s way beyond 75 lakh." When contacted, Bipasha refuses to confirm the amount but adds, “It"s humongous. I"ve never worked before on Dec 31 — be it for film or fashion shows. It"s a very big thing for me to work on New Year. This year I have finally succumbed to the JW Marriott offer."

Towards change

When told she"d get almost double of what Mallika"s fee last year, Bips says, “I don"t know how much Mallika got. I don"t keep a tab on what Mallika is doing. Neither am I interested. All I know is that I have broken my rule of not working on New Year"s Eve and so my price has to be something huge."

Why asked why she changed her rule of not working on New Year"s Eve, she explains, “I want to do unpredictable things. I am starting the first day of the year by doing that. It"s my first step towards change. I like the Nocturnal concept which JW is having — it suggests something new and mysterious. I will be performing to Beedi jalai le, but there will be a lot more."

Bipasha"s excited about her performance, “There will be a good turnout of people including lots of NRIs. I haven"t performed for a world tour and lots of my fans from abroad will be there. Marriott is a reputable hotel and their shows are great. I endorse it as I frequent it quite often. It"s a regular hangout for me."

No 1 choice

Jason Nuell, Director of Operations, JW Marriott Hotel, Mumbai says, “We want to make it bigger every year. Bipasha represents everything nocturnal — she"s sexy, sensuous, stylish and mysteriously alluring — so she was our No 1 choice."

Khushnooma Kapadia, Director, Marketing and Communication, JW Marriott, India, adds, “Bipasha will be performing for half an hour which would be broken into three acts."

Making it happen

However Nuell refused to admit that the actress was being paid Rs 90 lakh, “All I can say is that Bipasha is getting paid much more than Mallika. It"s all about having the biggest party of the year and our job is to make it happen. It"s not about the financial dynamics. If paying a huge amount is what it takes to enforce our image of hosting the most happening party we will do everything that it takes."