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On a firm footing

Bipasha Basu has learnt to segregate the meaningful from the mundane

NEW ROLES With films like `Apharan,' Bipasha Basu is trying to go beyond glamour Photo ANU PUSHKARNA

The audience may have failed to take note of a deglamourised Bipasha Basu in Prakash Jha's `Apaharan,' but the actress is upbeat about her role and the satisfaction she derived from playing a small part in meaningful cinema. Leading from the front is her dog Poshto.

"He hasn't watched any one of my movies, but he watched `Apaharan' from start to finish," she quips.

"I told this to Prakashji and he said I should have initiated him into movies through some comedy, but it was Poshto's choice."

On a serious note, Bipasha exhorts the youth to watch films like `Apaharan.'

Reality and cinema

"We produce so many time-pass movies, and I have nothing against them for they are my bread and butter, but the youth should appreciate meaningful cinema as well. They represent a reality that is happening quite close to the metros."

This was one of the reasons she signed `Apaharan.'

"I knew that it is not a meaty role. But that Prakash Jha himself offered me the film, was reason enough. His tag makes sure that audience won't expect just a pretty Bipasha in the film. For once I was not playing the heroine Bipasha. In fact, nobody is a hero or heroine, everybody is a character and to me that's great."

She points out it is not the first time that she has experimented. "I have done `Chehra' and `Ishq Hai Tumse,' but people hardly watched them. `Ishq... ' was dated... the problem with cinema is the entire package has to be good to sell, one character can't make much of a difference."

Her Panasonic experience notwithstanding, Bipasha says she has shown a cautious approach while signing her modelling assignments. "I have been refusing liquor and cigarette commercials all through. I know my brand-fit. I fit the high-end products very well."

This she holds helps her in her acting career too. "Because I have been a model, I can put a look together easily. But then as an actress there is more to it." Is she learning? "Even a donkey learns here." Done with `Apaharan,' Bipasha is back to her bread and butter - due next is John Mathew Matthan's `Shikhar' where she is playing a super model. "Then I am looking forward to `Corporate,' `Phir Hera Pheri' and `Dhoom-2."

ANUJ KUMAR

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