Bipasha Basu Says She Was Warned Against Doing Jism: ‘My Manager Thought I Was Crazy’

Bipasha Basu: Bollywood star Bipasha Basu recently opened up about her bold choice to take on one of the most daring roles of her career. Back in 2003, she starred in Jism, a provocative romantic thriller that also marked the debut of actor John Abraham. At that time, Bipasha was already a well-known figure in the industry, and many around her worried that this decision could jeopardize her flourishing career.

In a candid chat with Times Now, the actress revealed, “Jism was the time when I was at the peak, and everyone told me you cannot do adult content film. You are like the typical Hindi heroine who is established in people’s hearts now. 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."

She added, “But it worked for me and then things changed. Women suddenly were tonging their hair. They wore a bronze look. There was no stereotypical (thing) 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”.

Also Read: Donald Trump Slams Vladimir Putin as ‘Crazy’ Over Ukraine Offensive, Warns of Russia’s Downfall

But despite the skepticism, it turned out to be a smart move. Bipasha revealed that the film not only earned her critical praise but also significantly influenced trends and perceptions in Bollywood.

She also pointed out how Jism set new fashion trends, with fans eagerly replicating her iconic bronzed makeup and styled hair showcased in the film.

Producer Pooja Bhatt, in an earlier conversation on Tinder Swipe Ride, shared her own experience while shooting Jism. She recalled constantly checking on Bipasha Basu's comfort levels during intimate scenes but admitted that she didn't initially extend the same courtesy to John Abraham, who was making his debut with the film.

Also Read: KL Rahul Eyes T20I Comeback with World Cup 2026 in Focus After Stellar IPL 2025 Season

"I went to actually explain to them what was required, and I'm telling Bipasha that this is what we have to do, but if you are not comfortable... and John just looked at me and said, 'Excuse me? Does somebody mind asking me whether I am comfortable doing this?' For me, that was like somebody threw a bucket of cold water on me. I said, how presumptuous of us women to think that it's only the woman who is awkward in an intimate situation. The poor guy," she said.

Also Read: Kerala on High Alert After Kochi Shipwreck: Calcium Carbide Threat and Oil Spill Raise Environmental Fears