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Bipasha: I have always been good girlfriend material

Bipasha Basu is such as busy actress these days that her friends have started calling her 'robot'.

She is currently shooting for Raaz-3, but takes some time off to promote her next film, Jodi Breakers, which releases later this month.

Over a cup of coffee, Bipasha discusses with Sonil Dedhia, her films, why she is unfazed by the link-ups with Rana Dagubaati and how she is enjoying being single.

Your friends have started calling you a robot. Have you become one?

(Laughs) No, I don't think so. I am still a human. I love to work and meeting my friends, but it's just that the last three months have been a little more demanding.

I cannot complain as I have completed a decade in the industry. My first few years in the industry were really crazy. I really didn't have the time to live, which was affecting my health, so six years ago I decided not to do more than three films a year. 

But, sometimes, you cannot plan the release of your films. I would have loved it if Players and Jodi Breakers had been spaced out by six months.

'I dated John when he had just started off in the industry'

You are playing an unusual character in Jodi Breakers...

It's the kind of character I have never done before -- a very contemporary and modern girl who at the same time is quirky, funny and loves to live life.

It's a very real space. I can totally identify with my character. It is the first time I could be myself on the big screen.

Why did you recommend Madhavan's name for the film?

It was a gut feeling. I am glad I suggested his name though I did not know what my working equation with him would be like.

I just knew that he would pull it off really well. He had his own share of doubts.

'Raaz 3 is extremely challenging for me'

You were a part of Raaz and now you are doing Raaz-3. Is it like a full circle for you?

It feels amazing because it was Vikram Bhatt (director of Raaz) who got me into acting. I got my first break in Ajnabee which was directed by Abbas-Mustan but at that point of time I was like a little child faffing around as I was bored of modelling.

Raaz actually made me like acting. I have done three films with Vikram and he is a dear friend of mine. We are shooting Raaz 3 in 3D and the kind of work that we are doing is stupendous.

The role is extremely challenging for me. It's a very tough role. When we started shooting I requested Mahesh Bhatt and Vikram to start with lighter scenes but they told me that there is nothing light in the film (Laughs). 

I must say this film has challenged me to a level I have never felt challenged before.

The film is being made in 3D. How different is it to shoot for a 3D film?

It is a completely different experience because 3D cameras are different from normal cameras. The camera angles are different and the way you take a shot is a little different.

It took me a day to adapt to everything and then I realised how interesting the process is. Technically, it is a unique experience.

'I have told Madhavan to find someone for me'

You said you are looking for a slimmer and fitter version of Madhavan. Have you found one?

I am not looking out for anyone. I talk a lot and that's my problem (Smiles).

I want a life partner who has exactly the same qualities as Madhavan. He is good at his job and is a great husband and father. He also encourages his passions like skiing, golfing and he is a very confident man.

He has a great sense of humour and so I decided that I also want to find a Madhavan who is a little younger and fitter (Laughs). 

In fact, I have told Madhavan to find someone for me.

Being a fitness freak I am sure you can get any person fit!

Yes, I can make anyone fit. On an everyday basis I make at least three people aware of the fact that they have to love themselves and keep in good shape and I get their blessings.

It's my passion to make people fit. I have not given up on Madhavan and he has promised to be all fit by the time we do our next film.

'I don't mind any link-ups as long as the men are cute'

How much of what is written in the newspaper affects you because you can't always ignore everything...

At the end of the day people know me for the work that I do. I became a household name for the work that I did and not for the men that I was dating.

I dated John when he had just started off in the industry. If people keep that as the main focus, and are still curious to know what is going on in my life, then it is acceptable. If you lose the main focus then it sometimes irritates me. But I say this all the time that I have a rhino skin and it doesn't affect me.

As long as the men are cute I don't mind any link-ups and they have to be single (Smiles).

But the rumours about you and Rana Daggubati refuse to die. Does it affect you?

No, it doesn't, and it doesn't change my equation with him. I think people are very quick to jump to conclusions. He was here a few days back and we did meet. As I said earlier, I understand that it is natural to be curious about a public figure. But I like to keep things private.

'When I feel I want to get married, I will'

Is there any pressure from your parents to get settled?

I am very settled. There is nothing unsettling about the person that I am.

I am a very responsible girl in every possible aspect of life. My parents are intelligent people and they know when I am in love and when I feel I want to get married, I will.

My mother is a little concerned but my father always takes me as a very responsible girl. My parents have given me a lot of freedom from an early age and today what I am as a person is because the faith that they have showed in me.

Do you confide in your parents?

No, not really. I started staying alone from the time I was 16. I hid a lot of the struggles that I went through in the early days of my career as they would have called me back. But, at the same time, I am a very family oriented girl.

I just bought a house for my parents very close to where I stay and it's going to be tough now because my mother is a spy. My mother is just a little curious because I am a very honest girl and I never hide anything.

I had my first boyfriend at the age of 15 and I told my mother about it. I told her I was turning vegetarian and will only wear salwar kameez. She was shocked.

I have always been good girlfriend material. When I meet the right person I will come out and tell everyone.

'I have never been single before this'

What is the best part about being single?

I have to say that I have been a long-term relationship kind of a person. I have never been single before this.

I now have the time that I used to give to my relationship. I am more social and that's why I have more link-ups thanks to you guys (Laughs).

I can focus on my work and my passion better. I had stopped reading nine years ago but now I have taken up reading. I also cook and I meet new people.

Did you learn anything from your previous relationship?

I am a very good girlfriend so I have nothing to learn. I am very good in relationships as I am a believer of love.

 A lot of films today are grossing more than Rs 100 crore. Are you looking out for similar results with your films?

I am just looking forward to my own films. I am comfortable in my own space and just want my films to make the money that they need to make. 

I think every film should do well as we all put in a lot of hard work. It's very tough to make a film and I have respect for every film that releases.

The zillions of critics that have come up have kind of stunted our business. The number of stars a film gets sometimes influences the audiences.