Link ups are fine as long as the guy is single and cute : Bipasha

She's single and definitely ready to mingle with someone cute. But Bipasha Basu is in no hurry. Alone, film-wise and otherwise are where she's at her most content, happiest place right now. Horror films have become her thing now, with most of her hits coming from films in the genre. We have a sit-down with the actress who says it as it is, without mincing words...

Horror films have boosted your career throughout. Is that why you chose to do Alone?
No, that's not why. And to think I was actually trying to get out of doing this film. I feel I hadn't done a romantic film in a long time. And this is an extremely passionate, romantic film. The triangular romantic story forms the basic crux of the film. Also the fact that I got to play conjoined twins. There were many new things in this film and all of it was a challenge. Now that I have seen the film, I am extremely proud of it.

The Alone trailer got interesting reactions…
It made all of us feel more confident about the film because our trailer is a true representation of what our film is about. I think it’s one of the finest cut trailers which tell you exactly how Alone is going to be. I really liked what Hrithik told us. He told us ‘If you can deliver what you promised, you will hit the jackpot’. I am sure we are hitting the jackpot.

Alone's a remake. Were you aware and therefore apprehensive about inevitable comparisons?
I saw the Thai film first. Then I heard the narration and then I read the script. I have to say I loved the Thai film, I loved the narration more and I loved the final script which came to me even more. We have adapted the original to another level. Now that I have already watched Alone, I can proudly say that it’s turned out even better than what I imagined it to be.

Other remakes of the Thai film were also appreciated. Did that instil confidence?
Alone is a film with a heart. It’ a film where the intention we show is a very human intention of love. That is something which connects with every age group. That’s possibly the biggest winning factor for the film. 

Your last few films didn’t work. Was there any added pressure on you?
I don’t care about what people say.  The only people I care for are the ones who watch my films, who are reasons why I am here for so many years. I don’t believe in lollipop romances. I am a grown-up person. So if anyone offers me a film like that, I would laugh and never do it. Alone has got that kind of an intensity in its love.

Are you happy with the Horror Queen tag?
(Smiles) Give me any tag. I love all tags. Tomorrow, people might change the tag again. I will like that also.

Don’t you fear being stereotyped or boxed into a particular genre?
Yeah, some people try to stereotype me as a horror film heroine and those are not very sensible people! (Laughs) If you are just genre-biased and discuss the genre that I am doing, then you should discuss it for every actor. Most people are doing the same genres. Shah Rukh nails it with his romantic moves, Salman’s action is unmatchable and Akshay has his own flavour of films. Horror, being a unique genre which has not been much exploited in the business is more talked about. But if you talk about me doing horror films, you should also see that each and every film’s story, each and every character that I have played are different from each other. 

Post Alone, you have Nia. What is the film about?
Nia is a slice-of-life film. It is about a family, which will teach you to value Life. Nia teaches you to be satisfied and content because you never know what can happen to you next!

How’s Karan as a co-star?
Oh, he’s such a child! He has no pretensions. In this business, everyone’s trying to impress you. He comes across the way he is and this is how he is to everyone. I like people with no guards and he’s one of them.

Your on-screen chemistry with Karan has also given rise to speculations. Comment 
When you have chosen a passionate love story, you would rather make it more believable. So my only request to Kumar ji was to cast someone appropriate and make sure we could look like a couple. I am very thankful that they chose Karan because we look great on screen. We hang a lot off screen. When you get that kind of comfort, you feel blessed because chemistry is something which is very difficult to create. I have been lucky with only few heroes that way. When I saw the Katra song, I said, ‘Wow, this is really hot!’ If I being a part of it, reacted like that, I could imagine what others would think. Link ups come with every film. It’s fine. If the person’s cute and single, I don’t mind! (Laughs)

The conjecture doesn't affect you?
No, because it’s my life and I chose the way I want to live. I know myself and my people around me know me. There are a lot of people who don’t even know me but they love me. I am blessed that way. Finally at the end of the day, I am a happy person. So the people who talk bad about me are not my concern. I have become a little thick-skinned.