Bipasha Basu was warned against doing 'adult content film'. But still she did. Actress shares the Jism story

Economic Times

26-05-2025

Bipasha Basu recently reflected on her bold decision to star in the 2003 film Jism, despite being warned by many in the industry—including her own manager—not to take on a project with adult content. At the peak of her career, she was told it could harm her image as a typical Hindi film heroine. However, Bipasha said she was drawn to the story and went ahead with the role, which ultimately proved to be a turning point. The film challenged stereotypes about female characters, influenced beauty trends, and became a commercial success.
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Changing the Game for Women in Bollywood
Controversies and Industry Reactions
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When Jism released in 2003, it wasn't just another film—it marked a bold shift in how female leads were portrayed in mainstream Hindi cinema . For Bipasha Basu , the film became a defining moment in her career, even though it came with a fair share of resistance. Speaking in interviews, the actress revealed that she was repeatedly advised not to take up the project due to its adult theme. At the time, she was riding high on the success of films like Raaz and Ajnabee, and was widely seen as the ideal 'Hindi film heroine.''Jism was the time when I was at the peak, and everyone told me, 'You cannot do an adult content film. You are like the typical Hindi heroine who is now established in people's hearts.' And I said, I just like the story so much. I said I'll go ahead and do it. Everybody stopped me from doing it. My manager thought I had gone crazy,' Bipasha said in a conversation with Hindustan Times.Despite the pressure, Bipasha went ahead with the film, directed by Amit Saxena and written by Mahesh Bhatt. The role of Sonia, a seductive and manipulative woman, was a departure from the conventional portrayal of female characters at the time. The film, co-starring John Abraham in his debut, became a commercial success and set a new tone for bold storytelling in Bollywood.Bipasha reflected on the cultural shift that followed the film's release. 'It worked for me and then things changed. Women suddenly were tonging their hair. They wore a bronze look. There was no stereotypical (thinking) that the woman can't play the negative character. It all changed after that. So it's been path-breaking for me. That has been one very important film,' she explained.The film also stirred controversy within the industry. Actress Ameesha Patel had publicly criticized Jism, saying she would never take up such a role because her grandmother would not approve. Despite the polarised opinions, Jism solidified Bipasha's place as a versatile and fearless performer.Producer Pooja Bhatt, who was closely involved with the film, recalled her own behind-the-scenes experience. In an earlier interview, she mentioned checking with Bipasha before filming intimate scenes but admitted she had initially overlooked John Abraham's comfort. 'I said, how presumptuous of us women to think that it's only the woman who is awkward in an intimate situation,' Bhatt said, reflecting on the moment.While Jism remains one of the most talked-about films of Bipasha's career, the actress has taken a step back from films in recent years. Her last major appearance was in the 2020 web series Dangerous, alongside her husband, Karan Singh Grover. Speaking about her potential comeback, she hinted that when the time is right, she'll be back and giving interviews again.In the meantime, Bipasha has been focused on her personal life. She married Karan in 2016, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Devi, in 2022. Her social media offers glimpses of her life filled with love and travel, often describing her marriage as rooted in deep friendship and mutual respect.