Dusky Desire: Bipasha

By: Arya Aiyappan

Dusky, vivacious, sensuous, sexy...the string of epithets can hardly characterize the hottest icon of the nation. She is the raving Bengali beauty whose eyes her strong attributes of beauty reflect a gamut of passions onto the screen. A handful of films at hand all invariably dissimilar from one another single her out as one daring to make a mark of her own in the world.

The Kolkata girl, Bipasha Basu aka Bips was born on 5th May 1979 as the second of three daughters in her family. Having finished her Commerce graduation her foray into modelling was inevitable. As a consequence of her intense urge to prove herself in the International field she went to USA and Paris where she modelled for the prestigious Ford agency by winning the contest and the much acclaimed Tulips Miss Super Vivacious contest at a much young age. She was lucky enough to work for the illustrious photographer Steven Mizhel and figured for the vogue Magazine. Strong family ties however pulled her back to her roots in India.

Bipasha did countless important ads, and also the famous video 'Tu...' for Sonu Nigam's music album, Kismat. The Bonny of the family Bipasha gained entry to the glamour world of cinema with director Abbas Mustan's Ajnabee (2001) as her debut. She has been daring enough to accept oddly bold roles in films like Ajnabee and Raaz. In spite of donning the mantle of a sex symbol through sizzling performances in the films like Raaz (2002) and Jism (2003) she has a broad outlook wherein she steadfastly believes "I think my first film will create an image, which I will immediately try to break away from. I have a sexy, glamour doll image, which I want to get out of...I want to try out everything.... I'm not scared of stereotypes."

Vikram Bhatt's Aetbaar, brought to light the hidden potentials in her as an actress of considerable mettle. As an actress she is slowly shifting her terrains of experience, by experimenting new roles like the shrewd businesswoman in Corporate or the small town singer and dancer in Omkara. These roles cumulatively shape her sensibilities wherein the forthcoming movie Dhoom 2 has her stepping into the shoes of a singer with the song "My name is Ali....".

On a personal front she is dating the hottest Bollywood hero John Abraham. They acted together in films like in the films Jism (2003) and Madhoshi (2004) reaping victory at the theatres. Dancing, reading, and assisting her mother with interior designing are her leisure time activities. In 2006 she was listed at number 7 among the Top Bollywood Actresses and ranked 2nd by UK magazine Eastern Eye as one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006).

Bipasha endorses brands like Panasonic and Pantene and was the first actress to promote Thumbs Up. She procured the Filmfare Best Debut Award for Ajnabee in 2001 and was nominated for Filmfare Best Actress Award for Raaz (2002) and Best Villain Award for Jism (2003) The five feet eight inches tall Bollywood heroine staunchly believes that Mehr Jesia is her godmother.

Bipasha exemplifies the modern day independent woman who takes charge of her life when she proclaims, "I am the boss in my life. I decide when to charge more and when not to. I live in my own zone. I don't hurt anyone and I am very transparent. I don't keep people hanging in life."

Filmography:
1. Fool and Final (2006) (in production)
2. Jimmy Aur Johnny (2006) (in production)
3. Dus Kahaniyaan (2006) (pre-production)
4. Mr. Fraud (2007) (filming)
5. Dhoom 2 (2006) (post-production)
... aka D:2 - Back in Action (India: English title: informal English alternative title)
6. Jaane Hoga Kya (2006)
7. Omkara (2006)
8. Corporate (2006)
9. Alag (2006)
10. Phir Hera Pheri (2006) ... aka Hera Pheri 2 (India: Hindi title)
11. Darna Zaroori Hai (2006)
12. Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
13. Shikhar (2005)
14. Apaharan (2005)
15. No Entry (2005)
16. Barsaat (2005) ... aka Barsaat: A Sublime Love Story (International: English title)
17. Sachein (2005)
18. Chehraa (2005)
19. Madhoshi (2004)
20. Rakht (2004)
21. Rudraksh (2004)
22. Aetbaar (2004) ... aka Aitbaar (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
23. Ishq Hai Tumse (2004)
24. Zameen (2003)
25. Footpath (2003)
26. Jism (2003)
27. Gunaah (2002)
28. Chor Machaaye Shor (2002)
29. Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002)... aka My Friend's Wedding (International: English title)
30. Aankhen (2002)
31. Raaz (2002) ... aka Secret (International: English title)
32. Takkari Donga (2002)
33. Ajnabee (2001)

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
1. Dhoom 2 (2006) (post-production) (playback singer)
... aka D:2 - Back in Action (India: English title: informal English alternative title)

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