Farhan Akhtar Stars Opposite Bipasha Basu

February 17th, 2009

Amol Gupte will finally direct his first film. Amol, who was to direct Taare Zameen Par initially, was unceremoniously ousted by Aamir Khan after ‘creative difference' cropped up between the writer-director and the perfectionist actor-producer.

This time Amol Gupte has cast Farhan Akhtar and Bipasha Basu in lead roles. Ritiesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani will also be seen in this comedy. UTV is said to be interested in funding Amol's project.

Seems like Gupte is one director who is in demand even before his first film.

February 17th, 2009

Mumbai: Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu and Neil Nitin Mukesh visited the sets of reality show Indian Idol on Valentine's Day for the promotion of their upcoming flick 'Aa Dekhe Zara'.

'In 'Aa Dekhe Zara' I play a photographer who doesn't know how he will live the next day," says actor Neil Nitin Mukesh.

However, Bipasha set the stage on fire with her sizzling performance on the song from the film 'Gazab Bhayo Rama'.

For these participants, Valentine's Day was well spent on the sets and for the star cast too that hogged all the limelight to promote their upcoming films. It was a clear win scene for everyone on the sets.

French men go gaga over Bips

February 9th, 2009

Traveling the world is a perk that comes with the job of acting.

And Bipasha Basu is most thankful for that. Of all the cities visited, Bipasha is madly in love with the City of Love, Paris! “I have visited Paris only once, and please note, I wasn’t romantically attached at the time. But the love I received in Paris is something I will never forget. It’s a place every woman should visit, while she’s young,” advises Bipasha.

The best thing about the men there is that they aren’t afraid to express their love, she claims. “They flirt shamelessly, but are always gracious and polite. Men sang songs for me, gave me roses, and made me feel beautiful. I love my memories of Paris,” said the dimpled lass. Hope John has got down to practicing some singing and gathering roses already!

Bipasha and Ajay Devgan come together

February 8th, 2009

Mumbai: After considering many actresses like Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan, finally Bipasha Basu has been finalized for Rohit Shetty’s next project which stars Ajay Devgan in the male lead. This yet untitled venture from Rohit is supposed to be a comedy and will be produced under Ajay’s home production company, Devgan Entertainment Limited.

Shetty’s film is based on a play named ‘Uncle Samjha Karo’, which is a kind of comedy of errors, written and directed by Paritosh Painter and Balwinder Singh Suri. The film also has Sanjay Dutt and Fardeen Khan in important roles.

Bipasha and Ajay have worked together in four films till now but this will be their first comedy together. They were also there in Rohit Shetty’s debut film ‘Zameen’.

Bipasha turns singer

February 7th, 2009

Mumbai: Bipasha Basu has been cajoled into singing for her next film Aa Dekhein Zara.

The sultry actress is going to record a song with co-star Neil Nitin Mukesh. Bips had earlier refused to sing point-blank when she was approached by the film’s producers, but later gave into Neil’s request. Bipasha couldn’t say no when the young, handsome Johnny Gaddar turned on his charms.

Another controversy for Parzania director

February 7th, 2009

AHMEDABAD: Lamhaa, a film about the problems faced by people of Kashmir, has been mired in row ever since the unit began shooting in the Valley.

Film director Rahul Dholakia whose first film Parzania on Gujarat riots kicked up quite a controversy recently finished shooting his next ambitious film Lamhaa in Kashmir.

The shooting had to be halted in October last year after fruit traders in Srinagar objected to a certain scene. It was again suspended after students of a college in Anantnag protested over the film being shot inside college premises. The unit had to stop work in November after Bipasha Basu left a shoot midway at Anantnag.

"We faced many problems in Kashmir because there was some misunderstanding among people about us. But the problems were sorted out later and they helped us in shooting. Kashmiris are fearless and they live a totally different life, one with a lot of problems. I want to highlight these problems in my film - a drama and a thriller," says Rahul Dholakia.

"In my last film too, I pointed out the problems in Gujarat after the 2002 riots. This film shows the contemporary problems of Kashmiris in a realistic manner," added Rahul.

Rahul has researched extensively for this film and also spent much time in Kashmir before writing the script. He visited sensitive areas and met many people.

"We were not permitted to shoot at some places where militancy is high. People of Kashmir love Sanjay Dutt. However, Bipasha left shooting due to certain security reasons. She later came back and finished shooting in the Valley," says Rahul.

After Parzania, Rahul is keeping his fingers crossed for Lamhaa. "I have again tried to show the real situation of Kashmiri people. I hope the film does not face any problem."

Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha starrer Lamha wraps shoot, release post June

February 2nd, 2009

Mumbai: The shooting of producer Bunty Walia's home production, Lamha directed by Rahul Dholakia is finally complete. The film stars Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu and Kunal Kapoor in the lead roles.

Lamha is a thriller story set in the terrorism of Kashmir. Close to 40 percent of the film has been shot in Kashmir and it was recently in the news for the flack received by locals there which agitated actress Bipasha Basu leading to rumors of she backing out of the film. But contrary to all reports, the film's shooting is now complete.

Walia says, "Lamha's shooting is complete and we are currently working on its editing and post production. I am looking at releasing the film in June- July. But before that in mid-March I will launch a coffee table book, and that is when I will be looking at selling the film's rights to distributors."

The film has been made on a budget of Rs 25- 30 crore and Walia says he is looking at selling the rights for approximately Rs 35 crore. "I want the film to be a hit and I want everyone to make money. There is no point selling it at a high price in such volatile market conditions."

Neil Mukesh and Bipasha Basu in Aa Dekhen Zara

January 30th, 2009

Mumbai: The upcoming film Aa Dekhen Zara starring Bipasha Basu and Neil Nitin Mukesh has been making news for sometime now.

However, the last we heard was that Neil has convinced Bips to croon for the title track of the film. Aa Dekhen Zara is apparently a romantic sci-fi thriller movie with Neil playing a photo journalist and Bipasha playing a Disco Jockey.

The film was earlier said to be titled as Freeze, so we at Bollywood Hungama sourced a particular 'freeze' frame from the film that has the dusky bombshell Bipasha and Neil grooving on the dance floor.

One thing is for sure that Neil who plays the photographer will have a wonderful time shooting (if his subject is Bips that is). Besides, considering the theme of this sci-fi film, it will surely make an interesting watch.

Bipasha and Billy Zane

January 29th, 2009

American actor Billy Zane, who was The Phantom in the movie of the same name, and has also played the roles of Dracula in Vlad and Marc Anthony in Cleopatra, is lined up to star in a movie alongside Bipasha Basu called Chai Mera. It will be directed by Daniel Silverman who made The Devil Wears Prada and will also feature a cameo from Kunal Kapoor. Shooting begins in March.

A source for the movie said, "Chai Mera is a thriller and will be directed by Hollywood filmmaker Daniel Silverman. Bipasha has got an author backed role and has been paid a huge signing amount for the film. A large part of the film will be shot in India with Billy Zane, famous for his villain's part in the mega successful and multiple Oscar award winning film, Titanic being part of it. Kunal Kapoor will feature in a special appearance but his character is supposed to be very important."

Bipasha will be hoping that this new development in her career will give her the opportunity to demonstrate her acting talents instead of just being seen as a sex symbol. "I am bored of being looked upon as just hot," she says, "Not that I don't like it. It's a compliment but people somehow associate all my roles with the word sexy! If I play a teacher I am a sexy teacher, sexy cop, a sexy housewife. I am not trying to get rid of my image but it's just that no matter what I do, these adjectives just don't leave me!"

Bipasha bags Kareena's role

January 24th, 2009

Bipasha Basu has been chosen to star opposite Hollywood actor Billy Zane, in music-director-turned-producer Tabun's next project. Sources also tell us that Kareena Kapoor was the initial choice for the role, but Bips was chosen instead. This will be Bipasha's first international project. Yes, Kareena has got a few offers, but the girl has so much on her plate that there's no place for a Hollywood 'dish'.

However, with Bipasha and Kareena's infamous enmity, the war between these two damsels just got stronger, with Bips having stepped into her shoes, even though she didn't quite want to wear them!

Vijay’s ‘Sachin’ in Telugu

January 23rd, 2009

Sachin, the Tamil hit featuring Vijay, Genelia and Bollywood sex siren Bipasha Basu, has been dubbed into Telugu with the same title. Said to be a campus love story akin to Pawan Kalyan’s Khushi, the film has been directed by John. Bipasha Basu appears as a lecturer in the film. A Sampat Kumar is producing the film under Chakri Entertainments banner in Telugu.Sri Hari and Kotha Bangaru Lokam director Srikant Addala unveiled the audio of the film at a function at Prasad Labs in the city on Thursday evening. “Like Sachin’s batting Vijay appears in a powerful role in the film,’’ said C Rajesh who presents the film. The film has music scored by Devi Sri Prasad. Vanamali, Bhuvanachandra and Sahithi have penned the lyrics. Rajasekhar penned the dialogues.Rasi Movies Narasimha Rao, Sakthi Films Ramesh, producer Sampat Kumar and DSP Ravi were among those present on the occasion.

Action freeze: Abaya lands Bips in court

January 22nd, 2009

Bipasha Basu’s portrayal of an abaya-wearing Muslim on the silver screen has raised the hackles of a firebrand woman activist in Kashmir.

Aasiya Indrabi is suing the makers of Lamhaa, a movie about the lives of Kashmiri separatists fighting Indian rule, when she discovered Basu had been cast to play her character.

Outrage

As if that was not enough, she even got some activists to deface billboards showing revealing pictures of other actresses.

Indrabi heads Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of the Nation), an organisation which campaigns against social evils. The mother of two observes strict purdah and wears an abaya in public.

When she read reports suggesting that Basu would enact her character in Lamhaa, she decided to press charges.

“I don’t want to see my character played by a woman like Bipasha Basu who prefers to be semi-nude most of the times. She might be glamorous but she is an undignified woman and is part of the immorality-spreading industry – Bollywood. I am a religious woman who observes purdah and refrains from evil deeds. More importantly, I am the only Aasiya Indrabi on earth, so let there be just one,” she was quoted as saying in a report.

Indrabi says that director Rahul Dholakia (Parzania) has reneged on his earlier promise to show her a copy of the script before shooting it.

No resemblance

But Dholakia has refuted allegations that Bipasha would be playing the Kashmiri activist. “Let me make it clear that Bipasha Basu is not playing Aasiya Indrabi. In fact, none of the characters in the movie bear any resemblance to any person living,” Dholakia said.

Bipasha's Penchant

January 22nd, 2009

Bipasha Basu considers her cook to be the most important person in her life right now, of course, apart from boy friend John Abraham, and this is all because he cooks for her, the choicest Bengali food which keeps her healthy and fit. Bipasha has a special penchant for Bengali food and can never miss her fish curry with Chawal.

The Bengali says, she loves the fish made by Mama, but since her mother cannot stay with her, she has this cook who stays and takes care of her epicurean needs.

Bipasha insists that Bengali's are food lovers, and for her especially, there is no life without fish in her food everyday. She feels with all her hectic lifestyle she cannot cook food everyday by herself; the cook is definitely a God set she concludes.

'Lamhaa' - Against all odds

January 19th, 2009

Considering the way the production of 'Lamhaa' is proceeding resolving all the issues hurled up against it, the creator behind it can be called as an epitome of determination.

Rahul Dholakia first had to pacify the locals in a shooting location who thought that the movie will portray the people of the state in bad light. Then came leading lady Bipasha Basu's fleeing from the scene because she felt unsafe.

As the days could not be wasted, the production team had to shift to Shimla to utilize the time and finish off some scenes featuring Sanjay Dutt.

Meanwhile steps were taken to tighten up the security cover and Bipasha was also persuaded to rejoin the shoot. It seems a new issue has cropped up to give more trouble to the film maker.

There were reports about Asiya Andrabi, the firebrand leader in Jammu and Kashmir sending a legal notice to the makers of 'Lamhaa' stating that Bipasha Basu's role in the flick has been made based on Asiya's life. Rahul Dholakia cleared the air saying in a press conference that he has not received any legal notice from the leader of the women's organization Dukhtaran-e-Milat.

The shoot of the movie is almost complete and the director has already requested chief minister Omar Abdullah to give permission to have a premiere show in the state. There is a possibility that the realistic film will have to win over more problems after its release as many people will be eager to know if any thing being show is offending anyone.

Let's hope that Rahul Dholakia face's no more troubles, give the film buffs a thought provoking film than his first immensely acclaimed project and also succeed in getting a positive nod from the chief minister Omar Abdullah to his request to have the film's premier in Kashmir.

Fiery J&K leader spits fire at Bips

January 17th, 2009

Bipasha Basu’s controversial role in Rahul Dholakia’s upcoming film Lamhaa continues to be under fire.

The actress plays the role of Aasiya Andrabi, chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Milat — a Kashmiri separatist outfit for women — in the film.

Andrabi had earlier threatened to take the film to court over the depiction of her character in the film.

Now, she has attacked Bipasha directly, making it clear that she is unhappy with the actress chosen for her character.

“Bipasha is considered one of the worst Bollywood actresses. She can’t play my character,” Andrabi said.

Andrabi subsequently served a legal notice on Dholakia as well as Bunty Walia’s GS Entertainment, the producer of Lamhaa.

According to the notice: “Aasiya, who is a political personality and follower of Islam, doesn’t want to be portrayed by any actress who is incompatible with her virtues.” The makers of Lamhaa have been given three days to reply and furnish the full script of the film to Andrabi. The politician has reportedly said Dholakia had promised to discuss the film in detail with her before beginning its shoot. Andrabi has alleged that Dholakia never met her.

Dholakia, on his part, said he hasn’t received any legal notice.

He insisted Bipasha’s character was not connected with Andrabi.

“There are no real characters in the film,” he said. “I have made them fictitious so that no sentiments are hurt.” The Parzania director said it wasn’t easy to change the characters from real to fictitious.

“People have become more sensitive after the 26/ 11 attack. I don’t want to take any risks,” said Dholakia, who clarifies his film is entirely pro- Kashmir.

Bipasha landed in controversy after she signed Lamhaa. She had to leave Kashmir while shooting for the film, fearing mob violence.

“I’m not going to risk my life for a film. Who comes to hold your hand when you’re in pain?” the actress said, adding her family and friends were worried about her.

Andrabi had earlier threatened to take legal action for portraying her life in the film.

“If I find any such scene in the film, I will not desist from taking legal action against the producer,” Andrabi had said.

Bips, on the other hand, returned to the Valley on Wednesday to shoot for the film, almost two months after leaving the place.

My work is my life: Bipasha

January 18th, 2009

Back in Srinagar to shoot for 'Lamhaa', Bipasha Basu says that she’s not going to risk her life for a film. This is what the dusky beauty saysabout the issue.

“Too much was made out of the whole thing (when Bips left the schedule in Srinagar earlier). Lamhaa is a difficult film. There was bound to be ups and downs. The producer and director knew why I left. A certain amount of security was promised. The first seven days were absolute chaos – nothing was organised and there was a lack of security,” she said.

“Yes, my work is my life. But then, I’ve a life beyond work. I’m not going to risk my life unnecessarily for any film. Who comes to hold your hand when you’re in pain? Let’s be optimistic,” she added.

She said, “This time, hopefully, we’ll shoot without any trouble. Let’s be sensible about it. Lamhaa is a sensible film and it would be difficult for audiences to follow (the language and behaviour of the local Kashmiri girls, which she’d planned to learn earlier). At the end of the day, we’re making a commercial film.”

“I love working with Rahul Dholakia (the director of Lamhaa ). He’s fun and funny. We’ve a strange equation. He looked at me at the start and asked if I am a method actor. I liked that. It showed the director had enough respect in me to first find out what kind of an actress I am,” she added.

Bollywood team back in Srinagar to shoot Lamha

January 9th, 2009

Post elections in Kashmir, Bollywood film units have resumed shooting to complete their unfinished productions

A few days after National Conference leader Omar Andullah took over as Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Bollywood film units resumed shooting to complete their unfinished productions in the Kashmir valley.

While lead actor Sanjay Dutt, Kunal Kapoor and others arrived in Srinagar on Thursday, lead female character Bipasha Basu is expected to arrive in a day or two to complete the shooting of the Rs 30-crore Lamha . The unit headed by director Rahul Dholakia had to abruptly return on November 5 last year after a mob disrupted shooting near Parimpora Sabzi Mandi on the outskirts of Srinagar.

The people, who were watching the shooting had objected to "Kashmiris being shown as weapon carriers'' in the film. Dholakia has denied the charges and said the film is "entirely pro-Kashmir'' and depict the aspirations of Kashmiris.

He had said Lamha is a love story woven with boundless agony Kashmiris are facing in the past 61 years. "Without the help of Kashmiri people I cannot do justice with my film.''

The glamorous Bipasha will play Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi in Lamha, while Anupam Kher is playing the role of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

There were protests when the director was shooting a sequence in which Kashmiri youths burn tyres and chant anti-India slogans.

Bipasha Basu works with Mahendra Singh Dhoni

January 07 2009

Bipasha Basu is one of the most gorgeous actresses in Bollywood and has a vivacious personality. Now this time she is teaming up with none other than Indian Cricket Team captain M S Dhoni for a television commercial. Earlier she worked with Yuvraj Singh for sport shoe commercial.

If reports are to be believed, both Bipasha Basu and Dhoni will do the shooting for an ad in Hong Kong. However it is unclear for which product they will do the ad. Both Dhoni and Bipasha have individually done ads for brands like Clinic Plus and Reebok.

Recently Indian Cricket Team captain was given the threat of life but fearless and charismatic captain is going to shoot the ad in the first few days of January. It is learnt that Dhoni is a good friend of John Abraham and Bipasha Basu.

Dhoni plans to stay for around three to four days (from 3rd Jan to 6th Jan) in Hong Kong, where he will take part in the shooting, along with one of the sexiest actress of Bollywood, Bipasha. It will indeed be a great experience to watch the two set Hong Kong on fire.

Dhoni-Bipasha to set Hong Kong on fire!

January 3, 2009

Team India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, may have been in the limelight for receiving threats to his life from extortionists/terrorists, but the fearless and charismatic captain is undeterred. The cricketer who ranks right up there with the topmost Bollywood stars, in terms of popularity, is at present the number one brand name (amongst cricketers) in the ad world and can be seen in various promos, right from selling chips to his passion, motorbikes. And we have news from a close family friend (from his home town Ranchi in Jharkhand) that Dhoni has left Ranchi for Bombay, and will shortly leave for Hong Kong to shoot an ad with the hot and sexy Bipasha Basu.

Dhoni plans to stay for around three to four days (from 3rd Jan to 6th Jan) in Hong Kong, where he will take part in the shooting, along with one of the sexiest actress of Bollywood, Bipasha. It will indeed be a great experience to watch the two set Hong Kong on fire. But his biking friend John Abraham need not worry as Dhoni will come back in Ranchi immediately after finishing the shoot because he wants to spend as much quality time as possible with his family and friends.

Our source also adds that Dhoni has made it clear that he loves his hometown and no amount of threat can keep him away from his place of birth.

I have no marraige plans with John: Bipasha Basu

When I meet her for this interview at Yashraj Studios, Bipasha Basu tells me that she is more than happy with the fact that since the time that she had made her debut in Bollywood with Abbas-Mustan's Ajnabee, she has made rapid strides as an actress in the last eight years and carved for herself a niche in the industry.

"It has been a learning process for me from Ajnabee till my latest release- Bachna Ae Haseena. I have learnt everything on the job slowly and steadily unlike then new comers today who come prepared even with their first film."

Bipasha confesses that she has matured with time and become more responsible, as an actress. "I am glad I could live to see a film of mine celebrating its golden jubilee like my second film after Ajnabee- Raaz did.

I am not bragging about it but genuinely I feel sad that today it is not possible for any actor, including John Abraham to celebrate the jubilee of his or her film, since a stage has come when a film has got to recover its cost in the first three days of its release with films having become a big business with the mushrooming of the multiplexes."

Bipasha admits that she enjoyed working with Ranbir Kapoor in Bachna Ae Haseena.

"I had a fabulous time playing the character of the Shiamak Davar dancer Radhika in Bachna Ae Haseena" Bipasha recalls the fact that while doing a dance number for the film, she even had a tear in her meniscus but continued to perform after a physiotherapist was brought to the sets and kept on stand by to attend to her.

According to her, the choreographer Ahmed Khan manipulated the steps in such a way that the weight was there only on the left leg and the best thing was that when she saw the film, it looked like she was not at all in pain when executing her steps.

Bipasha is angry when you ask her how comfortable is it to be pitted with a young guys like Ranbir Kapoor in Bachna Ae Haseena and Neil Mukesh in Freeze, who are younger than her.

"Why is an actress who has not even touched 30 labelled as a senior actress just because she is cast opposite new actors like Ranbir and Neil, who are younger to me just by two to three years?

Aishwarya Rai has married Abhishek Bachchan who is three years younger to her but has it in any way changed their relationship"?

Bipasha feels that it is unfair that there is an anti lobby for a woman when she is cast opposite a younger actor even though she does not sport wrinkles.

"Why is it that no one has any objection when an actor like Nana Patekar or for that matter Anil Kapoor is cast opposite actresses who are half their age? There was no hue and cry raised when Akshay Khanna was teamed in Dil Chahta Hai opposite Dimple who is senior to him by 25 years

. It is indeed high time that women are given a break."

Bipasha feels that she has not been given her due as an actor though she had given an award winning performance in Corporate because of limitations.

"There are many reasons why I am not offered good films. I do not belong to any particular camp like some other actresses. It is well known fact that I have a boy friend who I do not hide in my closet.

All said and done, we should not forget the fact that it is a hero oriented film industry and I cannot ask for more than what I being offered."

Bipasha is now getting opportunities to prove her mettle as an actress. Among the films that she has up her sleeves are Freeze directed by Jehangir Surti and Pankh directed by Sudipto Gupta.

While Freeze in which she has been teamed opposite Neil Mukesh is a romantic thriller, Pankh is a psychological thriller which deals with the psyche of a young boy who has to play a girl child because of his mum's pressure.

I play this interesting imaginary character of a woman who guides him through his turmoil."

Bipasha is frank enough to admit that she could identify a lot with the character of Radhika which she had essayed in Bachna Ae Haseena, because Radhika is a contemporary young independent young woman like Bipasha is.

"Your first love can end in marriage if you are lucky. Also you can fall in love any number of times till you end up meeting your ideal soul mate. It is all a question of your luck."

Bipasha does not mind admitting that love is her top priority in life even though she is a career woman. "What would you do in life if you are busy 24/7 with only your work and have no one to share your life?

However, in case you want to know when I am planning top plunge into marriage with John, let me confess that as of now there are no marriage plans for us though we do not hide the fact that we are seeing each other and are in love.

What I like the best about John and myself is that both of us do not carry the baggage of being stars. We are like-minded soul mates who do not like to hide behind sunglasses."

more of bipasha basu photos