There are a lot of reasons why Bipasha Basu deserves to be at numero unto spot on Maxim's annual Hot 100 list. She's bloody good at what she does, has the kind of sex appeal most Bollywood divas can only dream about, and after close to a decade in the industry, is still hotter than a room full of her contemporaries standing around in bikinis.It was this Bong beauty that almost single-handedly revamped the Bollywood heroine with her oh-so-sexy performances in movies like Jism and Raaz. Suddenly, words like sexy and dusky were no longer bandied about as derogatory or insulting, rather it was this new-age Bollywood heroine who was comfortable with her sexuality, that people wanted to see, and Bipasha was that woman. Detractors could say whatever they wanted to say, Bipasha had come out on top. And personally, we love the woman on top!
First off, congratulations on totally blowing away the competition in our hot 100 list. How do you feel?
It feels awesome. Plain awesome! Ever since I've been in the industry, the term hot just stuck, I guess. But it still makes me feel so good about myself when things like this happen.
We have to ask: In your opinion, who is the hottest of them all? Minus you, of course!
The industry today has so many beautiful women, each one of them with their own brand of sex appeal. It's hard for me to peg one down, especially as they are all hot in their own way. Besides, I never really look at women, I'm an all-man woman.
It's been nine long years since you broke into films. Eastern Eye Magazine has called you the sexiest woman in Asia twice. And now the hot 100 title. What's your secret?I have absolutely no idea! Honestly, I have to thank my Bengali genes for that. Hotness for me is not something you can create, it should be effortless and come naturally to you. It's basically about more what you are than what you're creating. I guess I'm just lucky that way.
We heard this completely insane rumour that you were never going to get into acting, instead you wanted to study medicine? That would definitely have set some pulses racing!
Yes, in fact, I did want to become a doctor when I was younger. I also had a thing for chartered accountancy. I think I would have been a very good CA. I was just telling a co-star of mien about this and he said he would be very happy to have me look at his numbers.
You can definitely take down... Er... look at our numbers too! If you could see yourself now when you were still thinking about medicine, you think you would have given it up to become a doctor?
I don't think so. It's been such a crazy ride. Besides, I don't think there's an age limit when it comes to studying. I've always respected education and I think it's very important. John, he's an MBA, and my younger sister is also a student right now and I love them for it. You never know, I might just hop out of films one day and go back to school. And I'd enjoy it completely.
So what does Bipasha do to unwind? Apart from looking so steamy all the time, that is.You know, I capped my work to three films a year to cut back a bit and there's still no refrain. There's always some shoot, some show to attend, some ad. Trust me, after an 18-hour workday, you tend to be dead tired! Then again, I'm a workaholic, so I love my life. Of course, there is my daily workout for two hours that I wouldn't give up for anyone. That's my time, my personal space, you know.
Parites? I am hardly the party type. That's only when there's a film release or something. Otherwise, I'd rather just chill with some friends at a sitdown.
Sexy seductress, corporate vixen, liberated girlfriend. What would you call your best role to date?
Ajnabee was my first film, so it's definitely special to me. But I think Raaz and Jism were my career-making roles. Being sexy was no longer a bad thing, especially after Jism. And it's a movie I did after everyone told me not to. So I am especially proud of that.
You think you would ever play a lesbian? Not like we would think that's hot or anything. Seriously.It's challenging but no, I don't think I could do it. Like I said, I'm not interested in women at all. I wouldn't be able to do justice to a role when I'm not convinced, right.
So what would it take for a guy for you to be interested in him?
He's got to be the perfect mix of looks and intelligence. I can't stand egomaniacal guys who are as dumb as a post! He's also got to be passionate. John's passion for his bikes, his wildlife projects... I find that very sexy!
