I’m liked for who I am, says bold belle Bipasha Basu

Few heroines have started the way dusky charmer Bips launched her career in Bollywood. Known for living life on her own terms, Bipasha Basu has changed a lot of stereotypes and has played the role of an irresistible iconoclast with exemplary grace. Even though she has always managed to bring depth to the skin-deep characters of females meant solely for skin-show, she maintains, “The film industry is male-dominated."

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai, July 12: Few heroines have started the way dusky charmer Bips launched her career in Bollywood. Known for living life on her own terms, Bipasha Basu has changed a lot of stereotypes and has played the role of an irresistible iconoclast with exemplary grace.Talking recently to a news daily, she gave a holistic view of her life and roles. Even though she has always managed to bring depth to the skin-deep characters of females meant solely for skin-show, she maintains, “The film industry is male-dominated. Heroine-oriented films don’t have the masses coming in. We’re a nation of hero-worshippers.” A forever optimist, she gladly declared, “Things are now improving. There’s no conventional Bollywood heroine anymore. You don’t have to be the sweet, wholesome girl-next-door to be a heroine. The modern heroine possesses many layers, some of them dark. Right from my first two films ‘Ajnabee’ and ‘Jism’ to ‘Race’, I’ve played women with dark shades.” The bold Bong-babe added, “There’ll always be a group of men viewing women as sex objects and thinking any woman in a glamorous profession or wearing a short skirt is easy prey. I know how to handle these perverts.” So, one wonders if it is time to hone her PR skills now. She surprises again with her answer, saying, “No. It’s too late. I’ve missed the bus. I can’t pick up the phone and exchange pleasantries with important people. For so many years, I’ve been myself. And it has worked. There’s a lot of goodwill for me in the film industry. I’m liked for who I am. Even the audience likes me for who I am. And they are the ones who keep me going,” claims Bipasha. Here is one truly bold woman, who never hesitates to stare at the reality.