Bips unfazed by racist slurs

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Posted: 18 years ago

Bips unfazed by racist slurs
By: Upala KBR
May 10, 2007

The actress got a taste of British 'hospitality' while shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's Goal in London, but decided not to create a fuss about it

Sing A Better Song For Me: Bipasha Basu pic/PRADEEP DHIVAR

Unlike most people, when Bipasha Basu is confronted with an ugly situation she never loses her cool.

So when two white men confronted her in London while she was shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's Goal and passed racist remarks, the actress took it in her stride and continued to work.

Bipasha is dismissive about the incident, when she says, "What happened wasn't major.

Arshad (Warsi) and I were shooting in Southall and it happened while we were at a traffic signal.

Two white guys started rapping some song, which poked fun at Indians.

Initially, I was a bit shocked. I have never heard such things in my life! But then I thought it's okay, time to move on! No point stressing over it."

'Racism exists'

Talking about racism, Bipasha says, "I'd heard a lot about racism there. I have travelled across the world but never experienced racism in my entire life. In fact, I have always been given added advantages because I'm Indian.
Racism does exist and we can't deny it.Indians who have settled in London talk about it and share their experiences. People who aren't so successful and rich might be dealing with racism there in various ways."

Bipasha would now rather talk about pleasant memories. "It was exciting to shoot for Goal in an all-men sports film. We had a great time bonding with people there. There were some Bangladeshi boys and Bengali boys called Bebo and Sanjay.

And not to forget 10-year-old Rishi, who plays my brother in the film. I bonded with Rishi like the brother I never had. We would fight and I'd bully him a lot. The Bangladeshi boys even made John sing a Bengali song."

The actress is all set to go to the Cannes Film Festival with Goal. "The producer of Goal, UTV, is taking Jodha-Akbar and Goal to Cannes. Goal will have a sneak preview there. I am very excited as this will be my first trip there."

Has she decided what she's going to wear? "No. I've left that to stylist Anahita Shroff Adjania, and told her to get me something suitable. I have never been a bad dresser."