Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu

To promote Aatma, Bipasha Basu appeared on reality television show India’s Best Dramebaaz, along with Dolly Dhawan, the girl who plays her daughter in the film. While there, Bips shared an interesting fact with the audience: years ago, she and Abhishek Bachchan almost made their Bollywood debuts opposite each other. That’s something I didn’t know – but turns out, it’s true! Want to know why she agreed to do that film?

Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu
Doyel Dhawan and Bipasha Basu
Doyel Dhawan and Bipasha Basu

According to Mid Day, Bips said that Jaya Bachchan and JP Dutta had come to meet her regarding a film that was supposed to be Abhi’s launchpad. Bipasha signed the film only because she was terrified of Mrs Bachchan and felt like she couldn’t say no to the lady!

Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu
Doyel Dhawan and Bipasha Basu
Doyel Dhawan and Bipasha Basu

Of course, that movie – titled Aakhri Mughal – never ended up happening. JP Dutta eventually made Refugee and took Kareena Kapoor in it, though he did offer her a role opposite Suniel Shetty (which she refused). And then of course Bips went on to star in Ajnabee, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu
Anurag Basu
Anurag Basu
Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi

Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini.