So, Bipasha Basu is relieved to have husband as co-star in MX Player’s exclusive new series, Dangerous, which starts streaming today
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 14, 2020)

Bipasha Basu returns to the screen after four years with a slick thriller, Dangerous, a story of betrayal, love, passion, deception, and rivalry. The Bhushan Patel-directorial had started off as a film, Aadat Diaries, but will now mark the actress’ debut in the digital space. She is happy it will release on MX Player as a series, reasoning she wouldn’t want people watching it in theatres in the midst of a pandemic. “More people can be reached through digital platforms anyway. Internationally, people had warmed up to OTT long ago. In India, the Coronavirus lockdown has brought about a boom, which is only going to grow,” she asserts.

A huge fan of investigative thrillers and female detectives like Eve Polastri in Killing Eve played by Sandra Oh, and Anna Friel’s Marcella Backland in Marcella, she jumped at the opportunity. “I play Neha Singh, a Scotland Yard detective. I cut my hair short, and put to use all that I had learnt at acting workshops with Roland Joffé for Singularity, which includes making her own back story for the character.” So what’s Neha’s backstory? “Even my director doesn’t know,” she chuckles.

In Dangerous, Bipasha pairs up with actor-husband Karan Singh Grover for the first time after they got married in April 2016, insisting that on the set, they are actors first. “I need my space when I’m working and Karan understands that. Having a spouse for a co-star works, because you understand their moods. Also, kissing scenes are easier,” she quips, admitting that in the past liplocks always made her break into a fever. “I don’t mind lovemaking scenes because you can cheat on camera but a liplock is scary! I got rid of one in Dum Maaro Dum and had my livid director (Rohan Sippy) wondering which era I belonged to. During Bachna Ae Haseeno also, Siddharth Anand would laugh at my reluctance. I gave in eventually, but was freaking out even while kissing my good friend (R) Madhavan in Jodi Breakers. Now, they’ve become the norm, so I’ll have to power through my fevers.”

So, does this mean more films only with hubby? “No, Karan and I won’t be working together for some time now, except for ads. It’s unhealthy!” she insists, adding that she’d completely blissed out, not realising how much time had passed. “Last year, during the Diwali parties, my producers and directors lectured me, and even Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan wondered where I’d been, and why I wasn’t acting, looking pointedly at Karan, who explained he wasn’t my boss. I promised him I’d be back soon and last month started reading scripts.”

Dangerous brings back some harrowing memories too as, during the London shoot, Karan had injured himself badly. “A titanium rod had to be inserted in his left leg. I didn’t have family there, so had to take all decisions myself while filming,” she shudders, recalling that since Karan wasn’t allowed to fly home immediately after the surgery, they spent Diwali in a hotel room with only her assistant. “We didn’t know if he’d be able to be as active with the rod, but he does more things now with that leg than with the other,” she gushes, adding that her better half is not a regular guy chasing money and fame. “He’s sensitive and creative; his soul belongs in the jungle. Atrangi aadmi se shaadi ki hai maine and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The duo has packed a lot into the lockdown with their ritual of meditating, working out, gardening, and cooking. “We have a lot of plants and with the gardener away; I’ve become quite an expert at looking after them. I am growing so many vegetables and have discovered I’m an international chef too, who can whip up some healthy but tasty recipes while Karan has grown into a good handyman. He’s also been painting a lot while I’ve taken courses in everything, including chakras,” she reveals. She adds that their TV time is limited to between 7-8:30 pm. And today, she’s looking forward to watching Dangerous with Karan when it streams for free on MX Player. “I wanted to experience it with the rest,” she signs off.

Dhaval Mehta (DNA; August 9, 2019)

Karan Singh Grover was missing in action for over three years but now is back with a bang on TV with the Kasautii Zindagii Kay (KZK) reboot and at the same time has forayed onto the digital platform with Boss: Baap Of Special Services. While he plays Rishabh Bajaj in KZK — the role earlier essayed by Ronit Roy — in the web series he portrays a cop. When asked what kept him away from small-screen for so long, he says, “There wasn’t any particular reason. I was busy with the shoot of my two films, which will release soon. I was also engrossed with painting and that took quite a lot of my time.” Does he feel nostalgic about KZK, considering he was a part of the original serial, too? “No, the show is different though the story line is still the same. And, playing the character of Rishabh Bajaj is quite a big deal. Even people who didn’t watch TV then knew who Bajaj was.”

About his web outing he explains that as a cop, he has a different way of dealing with crime and solving cases. “He looks at things from a criminal’s perspective and this gives him an edge over other police officers,” he says. Ask him if there is any difference between shooting for the small screen and the digital platform and he says, “For artistes, the way we perform doesn’t change irrespective of the medium. The way we are shown on the platform changes. I like to pick up projects, which are different and do justice to characters I am playing. That is the only thing that grabs my attention and I make sure that nothing collides ever.”

Talking about how life has transformed after marrying Bipasha Basu, the Qubool Hai actor says everything has changed. “Life has a new meaning. It is more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Everything is sorted. She is a master at sorting it down (laughs). Everything is well organised, that’s how a happy life should be. Bipasha and I have completed a film together called Aadat and will be releasing later this year,” he signs off

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 13, 2018)

On December 7, Prernaa Arora, the co-founder of KriArj Entertainment, was arrested by the Economic Offense Wing of Mumbai Police for allegedly swindling producer Vashu Bhagnani of Rs 32 crore. Reportedly, she ha sold ‘exclusive’ rights of her films to multiple investors resulting in a breach of contract. Following her arrest, there was talk about her upcoming production, Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala, which mark the Hindi film debut of Salman Khan’s good friend Iulia Vantur, being shelved. However, director Prem Soni, who’s also her co-producer, told Mirror that the film will go on the floors as scheduled in January 2019 and unaffected by Prernaa’s skirmishes with the law.

"There will be no delay. The shoot commences in Europe from January 20, followed by a two-month schedule in Mathura starting in February,” informed Prem.

Mirror had earlier reported (October7) that Iulia plays a Polish girl who falls in love with India and becomes a Krishna bhakt. Jimmy Sheirgill also plays a pivotal role in the film, which is inspired by a true incident. It was to be produced under the banner of Studio Five Elements founded by Prernaa, Arjun N Kapoor, Om Prakash Bhatt and Kashish Khan in association with Prem’s banner, Premraj Pictures. “I’m in touch with the relevant people who have assured me that everything is in place,” Prem asserted.

Meanwhile, singer Mika Singh was recently arrested by the UAE Police following a complaint by a 17-year-old Brazilian model that he llegedly sent her indent pictures. He is curntly in an Abu Dhabi jail and being questioned by the local police.

In June, Singh had announced his foray to film production with Aadat, which features Bipasha Basu as a cop and her actor-husband Karan Singh Grover as a shrewd businessman. The Bhushan Patel directorial rolled in London in September. Vikram Bhatt, the film’s co-producer and writer, told Mirror, “The film wrapped up on November 1 and will release in the first half of 2019 without any hurdles. We are done with the shooting and are currently into post-production. I don’t see any concern regarding the film because everything was finalised way in advance,” he stated.

Bipasha and Karan had earlier featured in the 2015 horror film, Alone, coincidentally also directed by Bhushan. 

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 26, 2018)

Amid reports that Karan Singh Grover is recuperating from a back injury, comes news that the actor suffered a leg fracture on the sets of Aadat in London on Tuesday. mid-day has learnt that the actor had to be rushed into surgery.

A source reveals, "Karan hurt his leg while filming an action sequence. Complaining of excruciating pain, he was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a spiral tibial fracture. He underwent surgery the same night and has been advised best rest for about a week. Bipasha and Karan will fly back to India once he is discharged."

The Bhushan Patel-directed venture, which sees Grover reunite with wife Basu on screen after Alone (2015), had gone on floors in the Queen's city earlier this month. We hear, the unit will continue filming portions featuring the supporting cast until Grover recuperates.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 19, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (May 29) that Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basu are teaming up for singer Mika Singh’s upcoming production, Aadat, in which Bipasha plays a cop and Karan a businessman.

The team took the film on the floors in London over the weekend, where they will be shooting in a 45-day schedule. “I’ve always wanted to create something big, both in terms of music and movies. So, producing a great movie just felt like the best option. Aadat happened after I met the talented Bhushan Patel (director) and Vikram Bhatt (writer),” Mika told Mirror, adding that he is also composing the music.

“I have sung and composed a few songs for the film but it also features the works of other musicians.”

Mika is all praise for his lead pair. “After watching Hate Story 3, I felt Karan would be the perfect fit for the thriller. He is a great actor with huge potential. Bipasha followed suit, as they have great on-screen chemistry,” he said.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2018)

As Mirror had earlier reported (May 29) Bipasha Basu and her better half, actor Karan Singh Grover, are set to reunite on the big screen with a fi lm produced by singer Mika Singh. Shooting for the fi lm, which is titled Aadat, was initially slated to begin in June this year but it will now kick off on September 14. A source connected to the film revealed to Mirror that former Miss India, Natasha Suri, and former Bigg Boss inmate Sonali Raut, have been roped in as part of the acting lineup too.

“Bipasha will be seen playing a tough cop with the London police while Karan is essaying the role of an NRI businessman. The film will be shot completely in London and is expected to wrap up by November. A thriller, it is being directed by Bhushan Patel and has been written by Vikram Bhatt,” informs the source. Buzz is, the project was initially being planned as a slice-of-life film but now has some thrills incorporated into the story.

Incidentally, Bhushan had earlier directed the couple in the 2015 horror film Alone, on the sets of which their romance blossomed. The much-in-love couple tied the knot in April 30, 2016. Bipasha was last seen on screen in Alone which marked Karan’s film debut. He appeared in 3 Dev in May, which also featured Kunal Roy Kapur and Ravi Dubey.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 29, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (May 1) about Bipasha Basu planning her big screen comeback with a film produced by singer Mika Singh. We have now learnt that her husband, Karan Singh Grover, has been locked as the male lead for the project which is titled Aadat, with some changes in the script keeping the couple’s fanbase in mind.

Bhushan Patel, who had earlier directed the couple in the 2015 horror film Alone, has been roped in to wield the mic once again while the script has been written by filmmaker Vikram Bhatt. Bhushan was in London to finalise locations last week. While the director remained unavailable for comment, Vikram confirmed the news, saying, “Yes I have written Aadat.”

A source close to the development revealed, “The film will be shot completely in London in a 45-day schedule. Initially set to go on the floors in May, it will now kick off on June 7, as assembling the cast and crew took some time. While buzz was that it was being planned as a slice-of-life film, it will now have a thriller element added to it and is expected to hit theaters by the year-end.”

Bipasha was last seen on the big screen in Alone, which marked Karan’s film debut. The actor also has another project, 3 Dev, nearing release, which also features Kunal Roy Kapur and Ravi Dubey.