Bipasha to perform at New Year eve bash

Mumbai, Dec 13 (IANS) Actress Bipasha Basu and singer Sudesh Bhosle will add glitz to the New Year eve celebrations at the Sahara Star Hotel here, says an official.

'Bipasha Basu will perform in our hotel on New Year eve,' Vivek Kumar, CEO of hotel, told IANS.
He, however, refused to reveal how much Bipasha was charging for her performance.
'She is priceless. We do not attach any price to art, but yes, there are certain commitments that will be fulfilled,' said Kumar, and added that Sudesh Bhonsle would also perform.

Asked about other performers, he said: 'We are in very advanced talks with some other celebrities and I think it will be confirmed very soon who else are going to be there.'

Kumar informed that they have designed various packages and priced them differently for those who want to enjoy the New Year eve extravaganza.

'There are different packages. The food and beverage package will cost Rs.11,500 per head. There are other packages for those who book a room in the hotel for that night.'

Bipasha's manager confirmed the news to IANS, saying: 'Yes, it's true (that she is performing).'

Not doing 'Raavan' an amicable decision: Bipasha

New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) Bipasha Basu, who now looks forward to multi-starrer comedy 'All The Best', has dismissed rumours that her role in Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan' was cancelled because her character posed a threat to the other actresses - Aishwarya Rai and Priyamani. She insists it was an amicable decision between her and the director.

Rumour mills were abuzz that Bipasha's role of Mandodari opposite Abhishek Bachchan in the film was suspended because her part was overpowering as compared to the other female stars.

'They were all rumours and only rumours. I am not a part of 'Raavan'. I was initially a part of 'Raavan' but Mani sir thought he couldn't do justice to my role... as to whatever he had promised me would definitely be in conflict with the actual story of the film once it is shot,' Bipasha told IANS in an interview.

'So he took a call instead of being in an embarrassing position later on. He decided to tell me that and amicably we decided that it should not be done...hopefully we'll work together soon. So now there's going to be no Mandodari in the film,' she added.

The film also stars Nikhil Dwivedi and Tamil actor Vikram.

Bipasha was in the capital to promote her forthcoming release 'All The Best - Fun Begins' that is releasing Friday.

Distributed by Yash Raj Films, the laughathon has been directed by Rohit Shetty. Apart from Bipasha, it also stars Fardeen Khan, Mugdha Godse, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn, who has produced the comedy.

' 'All The Best' is a situational comedy and a total entertainer. It deals with a lot of mistaken identities, people lying and getting into trouble,' Bipasha said.

'My character is called Jahnvi who is married to Ajay in the film. She is a straightforward girl who is trying to run her life and family by looking after a totally rundown gym. She cons people to join the gym by lying because by the looks of it, nobody wants to join it,' she added.

Apparently this is the 30-year-old's sixth movie with Ajay after 'Zameen', 'Apaharan', 'Shikhar' and 'Omkara'.

Bipasha chucked out of Abhi-Ash starrer ‘Raavan’

Mumbai: Bollywood’s Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu is quite upset about losing out on the opportunity to play an important role in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’. Bips was to play Abhishek Bachchan’s wife Mandodari in the film, which also stars Aishwarya Rai, but the latest news suggests that the actress is not doing the film anymore.

When asked about the reason for her role being scrapped, Bips responded, “I am sad... but it’s better than having my role chopped or totally edited... when lot of effort had gone to work out the role for this guest character.”

Although the real reason behind Bipasha’s ouster is unknown yet, an insider alleged that her character in the film was proving to be a bit too strong and was kind of disrupting the length of the film. Grapevine has it that Bips has been moved out of the project as she might be proving to be a threat to other actresses in the film like Ash and Priya Mani.

However, it has been clarified by Mani Ratnam’s spokesperson that the filmmaker did want to work with Bipasha but, at the same time, didn’t want to do injustice to the actress’ role.

Now let’s see if Bips will be replaced or Mandodori’s role will be completely scrapped the movie

I would love to do more Bengali films: Bipasha Basu

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) She is known for her bold image in Bollywood, but dusky beauty Bipasha Basu will now be seen in a slew of non-commercial films like the Bengali 'Shob Charitro Kalponik', 'Pankh' and 'Lamhaa'. She insists she is not making any special attempts to change her image and would love to do more Bengali films if they are interesting.

'I like to do films that are entertainers, glamorous, fun, action and definitely realistic. There is no effort that I am putting towards an image change with non-commercial films. I just feel that in the Hindi film industry, where you look in a particular manner, people consider your USP as something and you get a little typecast,' Bipasha told IANS in a telephone interview from Mumbai.

'But I'm not trying to break any typecast. It's just that within the given limitations, I'm trying to push and taste everything a little bit,' she added.

Bipasha plays a Kashmiri girl in director Rahul Dholakia's 'Lamhaa', has a supporting role in arthouse film 'Pankh'' and in her just released Bengali film debut she plays a typical sari-wearing Bengali woman.

Asked if 'Shob Charitro...' marks her entry into regional cinema, she said: 'I don't like to do films where I don't understand the language; so I don't know about other regional films. I tried doing a Telugu film (2002) and a guest appearance in a Tamil movie (2005), but it was the toughest thing I've ever done.

'But Bengali films...for sure because I know the language... I'd love it if there are some interesting films or a filmmaker who would love to make one...they are more than welcome to approach me and I'd love to do it,' she added.

Produced by Big Pictures, 'Shob Charitro...' has been written and directed by Rituparno Ghosh and also stars Prasenjit, Jisshu Sengupta, Pauli Dam and Sohag Sen.