Bipasha in Karisma’s shoes

Sep 11, 2008

For some reason, Karisma Kapoor’s comeback just doesn’t seem like it’s on the cards any time soon. Earlier, it was reported that she’d play a role in director Onir’s next film but she decided to wait for a while before getting back into films. Recently, she was confirmed for the title role with Sanjay Dutt and Kunal Kapoor in Rahul Dholakia’s Lamha which begins shooting soon. Karisma reportedly fell in love with the role of a Kashmiri girl but backed out of the film last minute because of her hesitation to shoot in the Kashmir valley. The role has now gone to Bipasha Basu, who is absolutely thrilled.

Dholakia told the Times of India, “We had finalised on Karisma who said that she loved the role. But later, she got back to Bunty and told him that she had reservations about shooting in the Kashmir valley. Bipasha is willing to spend a lot of time in the Kashmir valley and learn the way a Kashmiri girl should speak. We are not disappointed that Karisma is not doing the film.”

Bipasha, who recently was praised for her supporting role in Bachna Ae Haseeno, is excited about doing something different. “I’ve done realistic roles in Prakash Jha’s Apaharan as well as Madhur Bhandarkar’s Corporate. But, Lamha is something else,” Bipasha tells Mumbai Mirror. She will star opposite Kunal Kapoor in the film. Of her director she says, “He’s a man of few words. The story of the film is very powerful and very real. It takes a hard-hitting look at the present-day Kashmir.” As preparation for the role, Bipasha will observe a Kashmiri girl who will come to Mumbai. She will also travel to Kashmir in order to observe the way of life.

The shooting for Lamha begins in mid-October. It should also be noted that Rahul Dholakia earlier directed the film Parzania which was acclaimed all over.