Bipasha's family & friends tell all

Tell us about Bipasha
Bipasha was born at Delhi's Holy Angel Hospital at 10.45 am. She was the loveliest angel I'd ever seen. When she was born, I thought 'A daughter again?' as I wanted a boy. But the moment I saw Bonnie (Bips pet name) I forgot everything else. She came to me wrapped in a beautiful white dress and I fell in love with her.

What was she like?
As a child, Bipasha was an obedient and bright. She was the local goonda. At the age of two, she would go around with a stick in her hands with her maid trailing behind her, challenging other children who came in her way. She was very good in her studies. I never had to scold her.

How was she growing up?
I felt that Bipasha had grown up was when she started dressing up. She never liked make-up but she always loved to pose in front of the camera — even at the age of five. She would tell her father, 'Baba take me to the flower garden and click my pictures.' She has a great rapport with her father and loves him a lot. She's his pet.

Her first break?
We had no idea that Bipasha would become a model and actress, until she got selected for the supermodel contest. My husband, a civil engineer didn't like modeling but I told him, 'Nobody gets a chance like this, let her go'. When her first film Ajnabee released then he was impressed. He's proud of her achievements.

Your reaction on Jism?
When we first saw Jism, we were shocked. We were not prepared for such a bold film. Now I watch all her films. I think Bipasha is a very good actress. Now that she is not here (Kolkata), I miss her warmth and liveliness at home. She can make anybody feel at home. Whenever guests dropped in, she would play a perfect hostess .

What makes her so special?
Bipasha is very large-hearted, and extremely generous. She spends money like water on everyone – from her friends to her spotboy. She is emotional and sensitive and blind to faults of people close to her or whom she trusts.

Describe Bipasha
Determined, an achiever and a real darling. She's always been very nice and soft towards her parents. Bipasha has achieved everything without our assistance.

What do you think of Bipasha's acting?
I like her acting nowadays and think she's a very good actress — on and off screen. She surprised me with her performances in Raaz and Ajnabee. My favourite film is No Entry. I must have watched it 25 times. I have a DVD and whenever I have time, I watch it.

Were you against her acting?
Initially, I was a bit defensive as the rest of my family are CA's, engineers or IAS officers. I never wanted her to become a model. Today I feel she is in the right profession. Bipasha has hidden talents and if she wants, she can surprise everybody.

I never thought she would make it so big when she was with us.

One thing you want to change about her?
She should become a bit more practical — she's too emotional. She needs to become more careful about her emotions as she gets carried away by them.

What makes Bipasha so special?
Her love and generosity.

Describe Bipasha
Very lively, one of the most wonderful person I have known and very naughty.

What kind of a sister is she?
We have a great rapport. Because I am the eldest I used to boss her around but she was smart enough to get around that.

One thing you dislike about Bipasha
There's nothing now but in school when younger when I would try to concentrate on studying, Bipasha would pull a prank and disturb me. Today she's perfect the way she is.

One thing you love about Bipasha?
Bonnie is a very loving and giving girl, very emotional and sentimental and where her loved ones are concerned. I can't pick out something which makes me love her more.

One thing no one knows about her.
She used to make amazing tea and coffee when she was very young. She would make tea and coffee when we had guests. Bonnie still makes the best tea in the world – both normal and masala.

What do you fight most about?
When we were children we would fight on each and every issue, like cats and dogs and trouble our mom. Now we rarely see each other, there's no time to waste on fighting.

Are you more like sisters or friends?
Now more like friends. And we share all our secrets with each other.

Who is she closest to in the family?
Bijoyeta is much younger than us and we see her as a baby sister; so she's pampered. Whenever we have to share something we call each other and talk.

Are you protective about her or vice versa?
Yes I am as protective as a sister. I am not going to take it if someone talks nasty about her, but gossip I ignore, as I know my sister well enough. She can handle herself but if she ever needs me I'm there for her.

How often do you meet and talk to her?
We barely manage to meet up once a year. Earlier it used to be at my parents' place during the Durga pujas in Kolkata.

Her best on-screen pair?
She looks nice with all her heroes.

Your favourite film starring Bipasha?
Ajnabee.

Bijoyeta
Younger sister (Student at National College in Mumbai)

Describe Bipasha
She's always perfect, responsible and amazing — she knows everything about me and she catches onto everything. I can't hide anything from her. She's lots of fun.

One thing you dislike about Bipasha
There's nothing I dislike about her. She's a very cool person. I want to be like her.

One thing you love about Bipasha?
Her unpredictability. She's absolutely crazy you never know what can happen about her or what she will say and do.

One thing no one knows about her.
She loves junk jewellery and is crazy about beads.

What do you fight most about?
We don't fight. She scolds me, we scream and cry. We argue over stuff like if I'm going out somewhere and deadline issues but she doesn't interfere in anything.

Are you more like sisters or friends?
Sisters more as there is a bit of age gap between my sisters and me. Sometimes I feel I have four parents than two. Right now we are bonding and becoming friends.

Who is she closest to in the family?
Eldest sister and mom.

Are you protective about her?
Initially I used to get into a lot of fights about rumors or anything bad but now I am chilled out. Yes, I am very protective.

How often do you meet and talk to her?
Twice and thrice in a week as I stay at my mom's place in Juhu and she in Bandra. She is very busy with shootings.

Her best on-screen pair?
John and Abhishek.

How long have you known Bipasha?
For 10 years now. Since since she was 16-17.

Describe Bipasha.
Very simple, down to earth and a strong woman and yet emotional, tough on the outside but like butter on the inside.

First impression of her?
A little nave innocent girl. She's still the same and not changed a wee bit. We share a strong bond and talk to each other 10 times a day.

What makes her special?
She's so beautiful, with an inner beauty, simple and down-to-earth.

What does she hate most?
She hates dishonesty and lying. She treats servants like family and breaks down when they rob her.

Her favourite pastime?
Sitting at home and watching a film, lighting a candle and listening to some soft music with close friends like Rocky S, John, Nilesh and Vishal.

Her favourite food?
She loves fish, especially the Bengali Rui maach

Rate her an actress.
I rate her as 8 on 10. I thought she was brilliant in Apaharan and really stood out,

First time she cried?
I don't remember the first time incident but it was around four years ago, when she really howled. A servant who had been with her for five years robbed her. She couldn't believe that they could betray so badly.

Happiest moment in her life...
Meeting John.

A thing about her no one knows
She can be the best girl friend and-mother in the world. She loves kids and is a complete woman. She cooks occasionally and makes an awesome tuna fish salad.