Bipasha Basu (Bengali: বিপাশা বসু, Hindi: बिपाषा बासु; born 7 January 1979) is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Bollywood films and a former model. She was the winner of the Ford's Godrej Cinthol Supermodel contest for 1996. Contents [hide] * 1 Early life * 2 Career * 3 Personal life * 4 Filmography * 5 See also * 6 References * 7 External links [edit] Early life Basu was born in New Delhi to a Bengali Hindu family. She is the second of three daughters to her parents, the elder being Bidisha, and the younger—Vijayeta. Although she was born in New Delhi, her family later moved to Kolkata.[citation needed] In an interview, she has stated that she had initially planned to study medicine, but entered modelling and acting by accident.[1] Basu studied science till the 12th standard at Bhavan's Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir and then studied commerce at The Bhawanipur Gujarati Education Society College, an undergraduate college affiliated with the University of Calcutta. In Kolkata, she did modeling and ramp shows part-time.[2] However, in 1996, she met well-known model Mehr Jessia in Kolkata; the latter suggested that Basu take part in the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel contest. She eventually participated, and won the contest.[1] [edit] Career After winning the Ford Godrej Cinthol contest, Basu also was flown to New York by the Ford Company, where she had a successful modelling career at the age of 17.[1] Basu made her film debut in Abbas Mustan's Ajnabee, with Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol and Kareena Kapoor. She played a married woman who goes all out to woo her husband’s married friend, and eventually won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for her performance. In 2002, Basu starred in Telugu movie Takkari Donga and Vikram Bhatt's thriller Raaz. Raaz was a big commercial success and surfaced as the biggest hit of that year.[3] For her performance in the film, she received her first Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare. One review in The Tribune noted, "...it is Bipasha Basu who steals the show with her fine performance."[4] She appeared as Sonia Khanna in the 2003 hit movie Jism alongside John Abraham. The movie earned her a Filmfare Best Villain Award nomination. Besides acting, Basu did the video "Tu" for Sonu Nigam's album, Kismat. She also made a guest appearance in Jay Sean's music video Stolen.[5] In 2006, she performed an item number during the song Beedi in the film Omkara for which Rediff noted Basu's picturisation.[6] Basu in 2008 In 2008 Basu starred in Race, her second collaboration with duo Abbas Mustan, with whom she debuted in Bollywood. Co-starring Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, the film performed well at the box office, and Basu's performance was appreciated by critics. Taran Adarsh of indiaFM described her performance as "her best work so far. She’s superb".[7] She also received good reviews for her role in Bachna Ae Haseeno opposite Ranbir Kapoor. She completed the year by appearing in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in the song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte. In 2005 Bipasha and John Abraham did a fitness video with Eros called Bollywood Bodies.[8] In 2010 she has launched her own line of videos with Shemaroo under the banner BB - Love Yourself. The first release is called 'Fit and Fabulous You. [9][10] [edit] Personal life Basu with boyfriend John Abraham at the launch of the Filmfare magazine (2007). Basu is currently dating actor John Abraham.[11][12] The couple have been together since late 2002 and have been referred to as a supercouple in the Indian media.[13] She previously dated fellow Bollywood actor Dino Morea.[14] In 2006, Basu claimed to have been harassed by certain organizers of the India Day Parade in Edison, New Jersey. Basu was initially scheduled to lead the parade on 13 August 2006. Basu eventually appeared on stage late, according to her, because of the harassment. She said, "I wanted to attend the parade, but I could not." She explained that she was harassed physically and mentally in the car by two people who were taking her to the parade.[15] In 2005 and 2007, UK magazine Eastern Eye named Basu the "Sexiest Woman in Asia".[16] [edit] Filmography See also: List of Bipasha Basu's awards and nominations Year Film Role Awards 2001 Ajnabee Sonia/Neeta Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award 2002 Takkari Donga Panasa Raaz Sanjana Dhanraj Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award Aankhen Raina Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai Ria Chor Machaaye Shor Ranjita Gunaah Prabha Narayan 2003 Jism Sonia Khanna Nominated, Filmfare Best Villain Award Footpath Sanjana Rai Shingla Khan Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula Special appearance Zameen Nandini 2004 Ishq Hai Tumse Kushboo Aetbaar Ria Malhotra Rudraksh Gayetri Rakht: What If You Can See the Future Drishti Madhoshi Anupama Kaul 2005 Chehraa Megha Sachein Manju Viruddh Special appearance Barsaat Anna No Entry Bobby Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award Apaharan Megha Shikhar Natasha 2006 Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye Sonia Berry Darna Zaroori Hai Varsha Phir Hera Pheri Anuradha Alag Special appearance in song Sabse Alag Corporate Nishigandha Dasgupta Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award Omkara Billo Chamanbahar Jaane Hoga Kya Aditi Dhoom 2 ACP Shonali Bose/ Monali Bose Double role 2007 Nehlle Pe Dehlla Pooja No Smoking Special appearance in song Phoonk De Om Shanti Om Herself, Special appearance Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal Rumana 2008 Race Sonia Bachna Ae Haseeno Radhika/Shreya Rathod Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Special appearance in song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte 2009 Aa Dekhen Zara Simi Chatterjee All The Best: Fun Begins Jhanvi Chopra/Princess of Lesotho Sob Choritro Kalponik Radhika Bengali film 2010 Pankh Nandini (Alter-ego) Lamhaa Aziza Dum Maro Dum Filming Aakrosh September 10, 2010 No Problem December 3, 2010 [edit] See also * List of Indian film actresses [edit] References 1. ^ a b c Verma, Sukanya (23 September 1999). "'Once you enter films, your private life becomes a joke'". Rediff.com. http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1999/sep/23bipa.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-29. 2. ^ Verma, Sukanya; Bhattacharya, Priyanka (17 May 2002). "Desperately seeking Bipasha". Rediff.com. http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/may/17bip.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-29. 3. ^ "Box Office 2002". BoxOfficeIndia.Com. http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg==. Retrieved 2008-04-19. 4. ^ D.P. (3 February 2002). "A fast-paced psycho-thriller". The Tribune. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020203/cth2.htm#11. Retrieved 2008-06-05. 5. ^ "Powerlist: Top Bollywood Actresses (2006)". Rediff Top Bollywood Actresses of 2006. http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/25sd5.htm. Retrieved 25 August 2006. 6. ^ "Nach Bipasha, nach!". http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/20sl1.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 7. ^ Adarsh, Taran (21 March 2008). "Movie review - Race". indiafm.com. http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/13399/index.html. Retrieved 2008-06-05. 8. ^ "Bollywood Bodies". http://store.nehaflix.com/bobobbadvd.html. 9. ^ "Bipasha Basu's new fitness mantra 'Love Yourself'". http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/10/feb/06-bipasha-basus-new-fitness-mantra-love-yourself-021002.asp. 10. ^ "Love Yourself". http://store.nehaflix.com/loveyourselffi.html. 11. ^ Iyer, Meena (30 August 2009). "Yes, I'm hot & sexy: Bipasha". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4948174.cms. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 12. ^ Udasi, Harshikaa (27 March 2009). "Just come, sizzle". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/03/27/stories/2009032750010100.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 13. ^ TNN (4 April 2007). "It's London in spring time!". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1858526.cms. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 14. ^ "Bipasha & Dino share warm vibes". Indiatimes Movies. 1 April 2009. http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/News/Bipasha-Dino-share-warm-vibes/articleshow/4335677.cms. Retrieved 2009-09-03. 15. ^ "I was harassed in US, says Bipasha Basu". http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/14bipasha.htm. 16. ^ Press Trust of India (PTI) (2007-11-16). "Bipasha is the Sexiest Asian Woman in the World: Eastern Eye". Indiatimes. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Bipasha_is_the_Sexiest_Asian_Woman_in_the_World_Eastern_Eye/articleshow/2544772.cms. Retrieved 19 November 2007.