By Subhash K. Jha, IANS
Director Vishal Bharadwaj has a knack for making all his actors look completely different on screen. His film "Omkara" is no different.
Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Konkona SenSharma and Bipasha Basu are seen speaking, behaving and acting differently in the film.
Bipasha, who had two sizzling item songs in "Omkara", was very nervous.
"The first day when I went on the set to perform the 'Bidee jalai le' song in 'Omkara', I saw the crowd, I panicked and ran away," Bipasha, who was harassed by two organisers in New Jersey where she was invited to take part in Independence Day celebrations, told IANS.
"I had never seen so many unshaven, unkempt and lecherous men in a crowded sweaty place. When I saw what I had got myself into, I got really scared. And let me say I don't get easily scared.
"On top of it all, Saif came up to me and whispered, 'Are you...like... scared? Don't worry. You just dance. We'll take care of you. If anything happens just tell us.' But once I started to dance, it was okay. Later, I came to know they were all fine actors. They had been preparing for the dirty Uttar Pradesh bhaiya look for weeks."
Bipasha is amazed at the authenticity of the presentation of "Omkara", a film based on Shakespeare's "Othello". Though she has earlier done a realistic film - Prakash Jha's "Apaharan" about crime in the cow-belt - she wasn't really an integral part of the drama there.
"Doing item songs can get very boring. But the ones in 'Omkara' are special. I've the highest regard for Vishal. Even being cast in a small part in his cinema is an honour. Space wise I've a small role in 'Omkara' but the projection is amazing.
"I really like one thing about myself. I really try to look and behave like the character I play. And no matter how small my part, everyone tells me I'm convincing. As an actor that's the biggest compliment I can get."
Bipasha is frank enough to admit "Omkara" isn't quite her film.
"It's definitely about the Ajay-Kareena love story. My character Billo started off as a special appearance. My character is relevant to the story. People who have seen the film have enjoyed Billo. There's a lot of entertainment value attached to my character. Billo is loud, aggressive and fun while everyone in the plot is serious."
She's the spot of sunshine in the dark drama.
"'Omkara' is a serious film. I provide the light moments. When Vishal narrated the role to me, I told him it sounded like a special appearance. I was so thrilled when he told me that the first member of the cast that came to his mind was me as Billo.
"I must say Vishal has great vision. Whenever a dancer's role comes to me, I get the coldest feet in the world. It's quite crazy. But my mind-blocks have gone."
Bipasha chuckles when she recalls shooting the "Namak" item-song.
"That's my favourite among my two item songs. Looking at the number you wouldn't think it was that tough. But when I heard the song, it sounded difficult. And to lip-sync Rekha Bharadwaj's intricate rendition was doubly tough.
"On top of that they got a dance-guruji Bhushan Lakhandri instead of a routine choreographer to do the number. I fainted. I thought he'd expect me to be as trained and skilled in dancing as Madhuri Dixit or Aishwarya Rai. The only dancing I knew was going mad in a disco."
"I did it without any training whatsoever. But in spite of my reservations Bhushanji and Vishal had faith in me. I pulled it off."
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Bipasha Basu accuses organizers of harassment
By IndiaFM
Bipasha Basu is currently in the U.S. The purpose of her visit was to lead the India Day Parade at Edison Township, New Jersey. Unfortunately, she has come out of the event with a very bitter experience.
She was supposed to lead the parade, organized by the Indian Business Association, on August 13th. It was scheduled to go through New Jersey’s Oak Tree Road area, which is populated by a lot of Indians. About 10,000 Indians had gathered in the area. After waiting for two hours, Bipasha had still not turned up. She appeared on stage soon after, and began addressing the crowd. She publicly accused two of the organizers, who escorted her to the parade, of harassing her physically and mentally. She cited the same reason for turning up late. The organizers tried to stop her from talking. She then stated that they did not want her to speak the truth. However, the crowd insisted that she speak. Visibly upset, Bipasha went on to say that her profession demanded respect and she felt let down by the behavior meted out to her.
Bipasha left after talking to the crowds. The remaining function took place peacefully. The organizers on their part said Bipasha had violated the contract by arriving late. They also said that they would investigate the allegations and take the necessary action.
Bipasha Basu is currently in the U.S. The purpose of her visit was to lead the India Day Parade at Edison Township, New Jersey. Unfortunately, she has come out of the event with a very bitter experience.
She was supposed to lead the parade, organized by the Indian Business Association, on August 13th. It was scheduled to go through New Jersey’s Oak Tree Road area, which is populated by a lot of Indians. About 10,000 Indians had gathered in the area. After waiting for two hours, Bipasha had still not turned up. She appeared on stage soon after, and began addressing the crowd. She publicly accused two of the organizers, who escorted her to the parade, of harassing her physically and mentally. She cited the same reason for turning up late. The organizers tried to stop her from talking. She then stated that they did not want her to speak the truth. However, the crowd insisted that she speak. Visibly upset, Bipasha went on to say that her profession demanded respect and she felt let down by the behavior meted out to her.
Bipasha left after talking to the crowds. The remaining function took place peacefully. The organizers on their part said Bipasha had violated the contract by arriving late. They also said that they would investigate the allegations and take the necessary action.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
"There was no molestation" - Bipasha
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz
In a public declaration, Bipasha Basu has come clear on the molestation theory that has been making rounds over last couple of days.
She has clarified that there was no molestation of sorts and it was just a matter of event being highly disorganized event. She also added that the reports were untrue and it was a clear case of sensationalism.
For starters, it was earlier reported that Bipasha Basu had publicly accused two organizers of an India Day parade at Edison Township, New Jersey, of harassing her physically and mentally in the car while being taken to the parade.
With Bipasha coming up with an official statement, it should rest of the matters for those who were hell bent on creating a story out of this matter.
In a public declaration, Bipasha Basu has come clear on the molestation theory that has been making rounds over last couple of days.
She has clarified that there was no molestation of sorts and it was just a matter of event being highly disorganized event. She also added that the reports were untrue and it was a clear case of sensationalism.
For starters, it was earlier reported that Bipasha Basu had publicly accused two organizers of an India Day parade at Edison Township, New Jersey, of harassing her physically and mentally in the car while being taken to the parade.
With Bipasha coming up with an official statement, it should rest of the matters for those who were hell bent on creating a story out of this matter.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Bipasha opts out of RGV film
By IndiaFM
Ram Gopal Varma's new film Darling is going through a mammoth change in its starcast ever since it's inception. The film earlier titled Baby was initially supposed to be starring Randeep Hooda but he subsequently opted out of the film. He was replaced by Fardeen Khan.
Then the leading lady was supposed to be Lara Dutta who too opted out of the film and Esha Deol took the advantage by signing up. Now the latest buzz is that the other leading lady Bipasha Basu has too walked out of the film citing date problems. The person who has taken advantage of the situation is none other than Isha Koppikar.
Incidentally Isha has another RGV film in hand Shabri where she plays the title role. Ram Gopal Varma understood Bipasha's problem and did not waste time in replacing her. Incidentally Isha had recently walked out of Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom.
Ram Gopal Varma's new film Darling is going through a mammoth change in its starcast ever since it's inception. The film earlier titled Baby was initially supposed to be starring Randeep Hooda but he subsequently opted out of the film. He was replaced by Fardeen Khan.
Then the leading lady was supposed to be Lara Dutta who too opted out of the film and Esha Deol took the advantage by signing up. Now the latest buzz is that the other leading lady Bipasha Basu has too walked out of the film citing date problems. The person who has taken advantage of the situation is none other than Isha Koppikar.
Incidentally Isha has another RGV film in hand Shabri where she plays the title role. Ram Gopal Varma understood Bipasha's problem and did not waste time in replacing her. Incidentally Isha had recently walked out of Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom.
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