Bipasha Basu at the Official declaration of the new 7 Wonders of the World, Lisbon, Portugal - 07 Jul 2007. Photo Credit: RexBy Ruchira Haldar
14 July 2007 (Sawf News) - While Bipasha and Shilpa may have not tasted as much success domestically as Aishwarya, they project a more assertive image of Indian women, making them hot prospects for Hollywood. Both have eluded the top tier of Bollywood’s film industry because of their smoldering looks and lack of emoting.
They both have had some experience overseas, Bipasha with her modeling career and recent appearance at the New Seven Wonders of the World and Shilpa with her win of the latest Celebrity Big Brother show. The wholesome, traditional female persona doesn’t seem to cut it in Hollywood. What does is the ability to charm the world press, embracing controversy instead of shying away, and oozing sensuality.
Bipasha, who’s been described as hot by none other than US actor Richard Gere, may just be India’s next export. She was recently propositioned by agent Simone Sheffield, (who is based in California and also Aishwarya’s rep) with three projects during their mutual stay in Lisbon for the New Seven Wonders of the World show.
Simone told the Hindustan Times from California, “I was the talent executive for the New Seven Wonders of The World and Ambika (Ambika Pillai, the makeup and hair expert) suggested Bipasha’s name for it. When I asked her whether she could pull it off and Ambika said one hundred per cent Bipasha can!” She related how the sultry star had listed her Hollywood favorites including Johnny Depp, Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.
Basu’s arrival in Tinseltown will depend on how soon she is finished with her previous commitments. Simone said that one of the projects in question will feature a “major Hollywood male star” in the lead role and a leading studio handling the production for it.
Man United's Portuguese football ace Cristiano Ronaldo's whisper in Bipashsa's ear during the after party for the event to announce the new Seven Wonders of the World on 7 Jul 2007. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsIncidentally, the event which pushed Bipasha into the spotlight has also come with its share of controversy. A cell phone picture of Bipasha’s face with football star Ronaldo Christiano’s has made the rounds in the media and looked like a major liplock. The dusky actress clarified that it certainly wasn’t a kiss, he leaned over to say something, and that she had more sense than to behave in such a manner with a young man in public. This combination of looks and spitfire personality certainly makes her a good candidate for the Hollywood industry.
Shilpa Shetty
© AFP/File Carl De SouzaShilpa Shetty has also been riding a wave of opportunity recently. Her brave conduct in the Big Brother house not only gave India a more progressive image, but it won the hearts of fans the world over. She’s never gained a foothold in the industry which elevates fair-skinned, doe-eyed beauties. Post Big-Brother, she’s been offered Hollywood roles and recently launched her own fragrance.
Richard Gere (L) kisses Shilpa Shetty
© AFP/FileLike Bipasha, Shilpa was also embroiled in a kissing controversy and handled it like a pro. When she shared the stage with Richard Gere at a charity event and the male star put his arms around her and embraced her, the Shetty girl explained that it was a mock performance of one of his films and not an act if indecency.
Indeed, the publicity from this stunt created such an uproar that magazines and programs in the West were suddenly aware of her stunning face next to Mr. Gere’s! She could not have asked for better PR, albeit unplanned from his side. While Meryl Streep she is not, Shetty may have the goods for a new career west of Mumbai.
Indeed, Bipasha and Shilpa’s nontraditional images and their media-savvy ways, coupled with obviously beautiful packages may just be their ticket to name and fame on a larger scale. Here’s hoping they achieve just that.
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