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Vikram mentioned how you, in fact none of the actors, knew what the Creature looked like when you were shooting for Creature 3D.
What else did you find challenging about the film?
The action sequences. See my creature mark which will be there for life (shows her hand). I get cut and bruised while running in the forest and banging into furniture. In one of the action sequences, my hair was burnt due to an error of judgement.
What was the best part of working in Creature 3 D?
Getting to do another film with Vikram Bhatt. He’s technically savvy, a visionary and constantly thinking. At the same time he’s an actors’ director and always takes out a fabulous performance from me. Not many know that he also has a great sense of humour and entertains everyone; even while canning the toughest scene, he would crack jokes and make the entire unit laugh. The energy on a Vikram Bhatt set is unbelievable. And I loved the fact that our Creature was very fit. I told Vikram the best thing was that we didn’t have an obese Creature. He thought I was crazy thinking about his fitness! (laughs)
Raaz 3, Aatma, now Creature 3D and then Alone, Bipasha Basu is being associated more with the horror genre.
I love it, because I am not part of the herd. Fear is a very new genre and there is a lot of scope to make such movies and entertain people. Worldwide too, whether it is movies or on television, fear genre is huge. In India we have not tapped it much, so if Vikram and I are the sole crusaders who are starting this, I think we have an edge over everybody. And if I get to be the main protagonist of the film and entertain the audience, it’s great because I don’t think any contemporary of mine has done it. Otherwise whether it is action, slapstick or even a Rs.100 crore film, a heroine is always there to provide support; she is never the driving force in a film.
What kind of films are you looking at now?
I began my career with a negative role in Ajnabee, and at my peak I did Jism, an adult love story which everyone warned me against doing it. But it worked well for me. Frankly, I don’t have a plan in place and I am happy not being part of the herd. But yes, I have to be excited when I go on the sets and not feel depressed. For instance, I was when I was doing Humshakals. I don’t want to make that mistake again.
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It was the worst experience ever. I am a very, very upright, forthright and honest person and I can’t bullshit. I went through a lot of humiliation being part of this film. I have had a beautiful career and even in the worst of films the experiences were great. I would love to do a quirky comedy like Bridget Jone’s Diary. I think I will suit that role very well.
Your next film, Alone in which you play conjoined twins is also a very complex role.
The emotions come from within, but otherwise acting is getting into a space which is not your normal life. That’s what makes it exciting! What is lovely about Alone is that it is a passionate love story and something I am doing after a very long time, and yes there is an element of the supernatural as well. It’s a very exciting film and shaping very well.
Have you seen the original Thai film from which it is adapted?
Yes, and I was very, very scared. Our remake is not an exact copy, but its fabulous. The good part is that even though I am playing twins, it is not the predictable thing like one will have a short hairstyle and the other a fringe to make them look different. In Alone the twins will be quite similar looking.
Do you have a wish-list of directors you would like to work with?
You cannot create wish-lists because it’s like creating obstructions in your life. If things don’t work, you will get demotivated. I just want to do films that excite me and on my part I will be with the film right till the end.
I was telling Bhushan (Patel director of Alone) that sometimes you have preconceived impressions about people because of their past work, even though they are box-office success.
What do you like to do when you are not shooting?
I really love to watch films. In fact, I am now addicted to television series. I watch every single TV series, whether it’s British or American. Their writing is so beautiful and they write especially for women and almost every series has a woman protagonist. I love Homeland, Game Of Thrones, Suits, everything possible. I get depressed at times, because they write so well and the opportunities there are so good.
So many stars are doing television. Will we see you on TV any time soon?
Television is huge and for five years I have been approached for shows and we keep discussing it, and I am sure one day it will fall into place. But I have no idea to what I shall agree to do.
There was also talk about you turning producer?
I say a lot of things and I go back on them. I also make a lot of plans and say I will never do that and I go ahead and do them. So I am quite an unpredictable person that way.
Are you excited that The Lovers (earlier titled Singularity) is finally going to be released?
It looks like it’s going to release, but no date has been fixed. It’s a beautiful film and I don’t mind if it takes long to release. It’s my best role ever.
There’s a lot of talk about you getting married.
Get married, get married! I wish people who talk, fix my wedding, pay for it and do everything else too. I feel the whole world is my mother and I tell my mother that since everybody is forcing me for marriage, you don’t force me . When it will happen you will know!
Are you working on another fitness DVD?
There are going to be bigger things on Love Yourself, besides the DVDs. I am working on it, and in January I am planning to launch something.
geety.sahgal@expressindia.com
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