Birthday Special: 7 underrated films of Bipasha Basu that proves her acting prowess

Born on January 7, 1979, Bipasha Basu forayed into the world of modeling at the age of 17 on the suggestion of supermodel Mehr Rampal. 

In the year 2001, she made her debut in Hindi films with Abbas-Mustan romantic-thriller, Ajnabee. The film was a moderate success at the box office, but Bipasha won the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Female. The very next year, in 2002, came Vikram Bhatt's supernatural film, Raaz. Ms. Basu stole the show and the film turned out to be a massive hit earning her Filmfare Best Actress nomination. But it was 2003's Jism which capitulated her to fame and success. In the role of a seductive, ambitious wife, Bipasha was all things sexy, dark and sinful. Her bold avatar was compared with yesteryear's bombshell Zeenat Aman's. 

In the next decade or so, Bipasha tried her hand in multiple genres - be it romance, action or comedy. But, there were many films in which despite putting her best foot forward, Bipasha didn't get her due credit. 

On the Bong beauty's birthday today, we bring you the 7 most underrated performances of Bipasha: 

Apharan (2005)

Directed by Prakash Jha, the film saw Bipasha shedding her sex siren image. In the role of Mehga Basu, she was seen in cotton sarees sans makeup, a complete curveball from her previous films. Set in the backdrop of Bihar, this film was out of Bipasha's regular league, but her performance fetched her positive reviews.

No Entry (2005)

This multi-starrer film was the biggest hit of 2005. Starring Salman Khan in the lead role, the film saw Bipasha in an ultra-glamorous role of Bobby, a call girl who creates a havoc in the lives of the three heroes (Salman, Anil Kapoor & Fardeen Khan). This romantic-comedy fetched more laurels due to Salman, but Bipasha's comic-yet-sexy avatar was surely a visual treat to watch. Hands Down!

Corporate  (2006)

Helmed by National Award winning director Madhur Bhandarkar, the film presumably is the most underrated film of Ms. Basu's career. Seen in the role of Nishigandha Dasgupta, Bipasha played the role of a strong-willed corporate executive who climbs the ladder of success, but towards the end pays the price of being deceitful. Bipasha, in the film, was seen conveying an array of emotions - ranging from tough to confident, vulnerable and feminine. Madhur managed to get out Bipasha's best performance and made her character relatable, moving away from the trappings of a glitz and glamour.  Bips also earned her second Filmfare nomination for the Best Actress.

Omkara (2006)

In the role of Bianca, Bipasha was seen in an impressive cameo. What more, her two numbers - Beedi and Namak Ishq Ka hogged all the limelight and how! Adding the much-needed oomph and seduction in this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello, Billo rani left her mark. The sad part is, her acting skills went noticed and it was just her sexy moves which got all the attention. 

Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

As Radhika, Bipasha was seen in the role of Ranbir Kapoor's one of the girlfriends - a model who moves into a live-in relationship with him. However, a commitment-phobic RK dumps her at the altar and runs away to Sydney. A few years down the lane, Radhika becomes a super successful model, who eventually forgives RK for his wrongdoings, but after much ado. Her role, as a heartbroken naive girl to a mature woman, owing to her tough experience in love, was indeed a praise-worthy. But, after the film hit the screens people were only talking about Ranbir and Deepika Padukone's chemistry, her strong performance was just not given the due credit. 

Pankh (2010)

The film highlighted the common practice in the Indian films - casting the children in role contrary to their gender. Bipasha essayed the role of Nandini, a fictional movie star in the head of the lead actor, Maradona Rebello. Bipasha played a complex character of Rebello's imaginary best friend, who is his constant companion and eventually he ends up falling in love with her. This offbeat subject saw Bipasha in a stark different role from her previous offerings, but again she couldn't manage to take away the praises she deserved.

Lamhaa (2010)

Set in Kashmir, Lamhaa saw Bipasha in the role of Aziza, a militant. Her role in the film was everything not-so-mainstream - from slitting an attacker's throat to being mauled by the militant women - Bipasha's performance was at par in this Rahul Dhloakia's directorial. The actress was applauded for putting out a brave act, one of the best in her career. 

Here's wishing the ever-so-gorgeous and talented, now Mrs. Bipasha Basu Singh Grover a very happy birthday!

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