Bipasha Basu takes a meatier role

Bipasha Basu does not mind her sex symbol tag, as long as audiences and directors do not forget her ability to play serious and varied roles

Bipasha Basu, the pretty woman who made her film debut with Ajnabee, is happy that she has vindicated herself in the fickle Indian film industry as an actress who can be trusted to deliver the goods.

Basu awaits the release of her fourteenth film — Anees Bazmee's No Entry.

On the set of Prakash Jha's latest project, Apaharan, Basu is dressed in a red sari with a matching blouse, and a briefcase in her left hand.

She wears a mangalsutra (necklace and pendant that married Indian women wear). Jha is like a man possessed, screaming instructions into a megaphone, while Ajay Devgan, Ayub Khan and Khalid Emraan (of Jogger's Park fame) are also on the sets.

When asked about her role she says, "I play Megha, a bar dancer. She loves Ajay Shastri, played by Ajay Devgan, and thinks that she understands him, only to realise that their worlds are too far apart.

"I am playing a real meaty role for the first time in my career. To date I have done a lot of different genres of film and all kinds of roles… I do not regret anything that I have done till today as an actress."

Basu admits that though the Apaharan role is not exactly earth-shattering, it is a good experience working with Jha.

"I find Prakashji totally focused on, and serious about, his work. I had seen his last film Ganga Jal and was impressed by Prakashji's work."

She wanted to be a part of the project because it is a different kind of film; "though of late I concede that I have become very choosy."

She has refused quite a few offers which did not satisfy her in terms of the subject, or money in some cases.

She admits turning down Kamal Haasan when he offered to cast her as the mother of a ten-year-old kid in his new film Mumbai Express.

"I was unsure about doing it because the audience did not accept me when I appeared as a mother in Rakht earlier.

She has also turned down casting offers from John Mathew Maththan and Buddhdebda.

Basu admits she has become choosy as an actress because she wants to leave a mark.

She had always wanted to work in comedy films, and is right now working in Satish Kaushik's Phir Hera Pheri - an out-and-out comedy.

"I am enjoying my current phase as an actress, even though I know for a fact that some of my recent films didn't click at the box office at all."

She says she won't hesitate dropping a film. "I believe in retiring gracefully even when I am wanted."

Basu is slowly getting used to the ways of the industry.

"I am still learning how it works though earlier the industry was like a culture shock to me and it was as if I had flown in from some other planet. Now I actually love the industry."

She used to earn well through modeling, but decided to shift from modeling to acting because "I realised that you have to have a zing beyond being just a pretty face."

Basu does not mind being labelled a sex symbol. "I take it as a compliment. However, it should not take away my due as a versatile actress."

She still considers herself a "14-film-old newcomer in the industry."

When she was doing Ajnabi, she promised herself that she wouldn't continue acting if she didn't get good offers.
"Luckily, I continue to get great offers. I got serious after I shot for Raaz. I was very young when I started."

"You tend to realise that you take big risks with each film of yours. Hence, I guess, as an actress, I am here to stay and make the most of what I am getting."