‘I WAS LOOKING FOR MEATIER ROLES'

Actor Bipasha Basu Singh Grover, who was on a selfimposed hiatus from films, is glad to be back

She had a fairly successful run at the box office. But in 2016, Bipasha Basu Singh Grover decided to go on a self-imposed sabbatical after her much-talked-about wedding to actor Karan Singh Grover. Bipasha, who was last seen in Alone (2015), is now all set to return to the big screen. After sifting through a few scripts, she has chosen a thriller as her next film. “Though the film is a thriller, it has a lot of romance. The character is new for me and it is an entertaining project,” says the actor.

Were you content with the film offers in the interim?

It took me sometime to break through the supernatural mould I had got stuck in. After my wedding, I stopped looking for work for a while. But yes, I was looking out for interesting, meatier roles. It’s not the length, but the substance and the story that matters to me. There is no particular thing that I am looking out for, I am open to anything that grabs my interest.

How similar or different are Karan and you as actors?

Every actor is different and everyone has their own method. So, I can’t really tell how similar or different we are. I’d say we both are pretty natural. We don’t have any particular method as such. We are spontaneous actors, we feel and perform.

You are quite dedicated to fitness. Were you ever coerced into resorting to artificial beauty enhancements or fitness fads by people around you?

Insecurity is the reason why you fall for anything that is a fitness fad, short-cuts or anything that is artificial. But I believe that you need be confident in this business. You have to follow your own instincts and not listen to everyone around you, and just be yourself.

You’ve been a supermodel. Now Bollywood stars walk the ramp as showstoppers. What do you have to say about this changing phenomenon?

Our country is pretty much in awe of Bollywood, and Bollywood is present in every possible sphere. Everyone is so fit, fashionable and beautiful in Bollywood. They do look like ramp models. They have beautiful faces to match their bodies. Also, internationally, Blake Lively and the likes of her are always seen in the fashion circuit. The same phenomenon is going on here.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing that Bollywood actors walk the ramp. But the supermodel era used to be fantastic. I wish it comes back soon.

Did you enjoy your modelling heydays?

I did enjoy my modelling days a lot. I got to meet lovely people and made lot of friends. I’ve seen the fashion industry bloom. For me, after three years of modelling, it was a little stagnating, because I wanted to do more, and that’s why I got into films.

What makes you a good model is your confidence in whatever you are wearing, and if you have that, you can actually showcase any garment or commodity better.

You don’t put yourself first, you put the outfit of a designer that you are wearing or the commodity you are selling first, and then yourself.

Insecurity is the reason why you fall for anything that is a fitness fad, shortcuts or anything that is artificial.

BIPASHA BASU SINGH GROVER ACTOR

PHOTO: PRODIP GUHA/HT