Bipasha wins at Bollywood this time

Tall, dusky Bipasha Basu has emerged as the dark horse in the cutthroat race towards Bollywood's top slot. She has become the favourite of all.

Tall, dusky Bipasha Basu has emerged as the dark horse in the cutthroat race towards Bollywood's top slot.

HT Image

Leaving behind Kareena Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai, the girl from Kolkata has become the favourite of producers, directors, co-stars and the movie crazy populace at large.

Magazine covers, limousine rides, big banners, bigger shows and even stalkers, the model-turned-actress who never went to college has the world at her feet.

Bipasha-starrer Jism that released simultaneously with Aishwarya Rai's Dil Ka Rishta on January 17 has been declared the first hit of this year. The Rs.30-million film is said to have recovered its cost in the first week itself and continues to be one of the top five grossers in its fourth week.

The model-turned-actress was also largely responsible for last year's biggest commercial success, Raaz. She has been appreciated for what is probably the most negative role ever essayed by a female lead in a formula-ridden industry.

She flaunts her body, seduces John Abraham and plots her husband's murder and yet walks away with all the accolades. With a name that means deep, dark desire, she has always been comfortable and extremely aware of her sexy image.

"I want to be called sexy till I am 100 years old," she says.

Bipasha is the only female lead in Gaurang Doshi's next mega project, Deewar - Let's Bring Our Heroes Home, starring biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna.