I drooled over Bipasha in 'Jism', says 'Raaz 3' actress Esha Gupta

New Delhi: Though Esha Gupta is just one film old, still she has been perceived as an actress with potential. Her first film ‘Jannat 2’ received commercial success at the box office, and now she is all set to woo the audiences in Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Raaz 3’. She opens her heart about the idea behind the ‘Raaz 3’, her chemistry with co-actors and her journey in Bollywood so far.

Q: You seem to have a very good tuning with Emraan Hashmi.

A: (Sigh) I love Emraan, he has been really wonderful to me. He understands how a newcomer is scared and petrified all the time.

'Raaz 3' is an upcoming Bollywood suspense thriller directed by Vikram Bhat. A still from Raaz 3.
'Raaz 3' in 3D is the newest venture of Fox Star and Vishesh Studio. A still from Raaz 3.
Vishesh Films announced their two film deal with Fox Star studio for their upcoming 3D film 'Raaz 3'. A still from Raaz 3.
Raaz 3 stars Emraan Hashmi, Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta in the lead roles. A still from Raaz 3.
The horror flick is produced by Mahesh Bhatt. A still from Raaz 3.
The film is a sequel to Raaz %u2013 The Mystery Continues (2009) which was a sequel to Raaz (2002). A still from Raaz 3.
Jacqueline Fernandez and Niharika Bhatnagar feature in cameo appearances. A still from Raaz 3.
Bipasha Basu says she had no reason to hire a body double for the shoot of the poster as she is comfortable with her toned body. A still from Raaz 3.
Bipasha Basu, who was a part of the first film of the Raaz series, has made a comeback after opting out of the second film. A still from Raaz 3.
Actress Bipasha Basu had said she was getting goose bumps before dubbing for Raaz 3. A still from Raaz 3.
Basu started her Bollywood career with Ajnabee but got her first box office hit with the first installment of the film. A still from Raaz 3.
The 3D film is slated for a September 7 release. A still from Raaz 3.
Raaz, the 2002 hit film, starred Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea as a couple who have moved to Ooty to save their failing marriage. A still from Raaz 3.
Raaz - The Mystery Continues, the 2009 supernatural horror film, starred Emraan Hashmi and Kangna Ranaut. A still from Raaz 3.
The original choice for the female lead of the film was Jacqueline Fernandez, but she had opted out. A still from Raaz 3.
Bipasha Basu was praised for her role in Raaz, and was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. A still from Raaz 3.
Bipasha Basu's 'Raaz 3' poster has already created a buzz and the actress says she had no qualms going bold for the shoot as it was required to show the film's theme in the right light. A still from Raaz 3.
The 33-year-old actress, who shot for the campaign minus a body double, decided to go all out for the poster even though the makers were a bit hesitant to approach her for the shoot. A still from Raaz 3.
The promo of the 3D horror film, directed by Vikram Bhatt and also starring Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta, was initially scheduled to be released alongside 'Jism 2' on August 3. A still from Raaz 3.

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$Esha Gupta: I drooled over Bipasha in \'Jism\'$

Though \'Raaz 3\' is Esha Gupta\'s second film only, still she has been perceived as an actress with potential.

For me the most difficult thing was the first day of ‘Jannat’, that too at Daryagang road where more than ten thousand people were gathered. I come from Delhi, so I know how Daryagang is. When they told me, ‘O you are shooting in Daryagang,’ and I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I had never given a shot in front of a moving camera, so I was really petrified. Then I saw Emraan, he is great actor you know, he used to give one take shots, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, in this heat, I have to give many takes because I couldn’t get it.’

Every time I used to say something, people started shouting, but Emraan really helped me at that time. Once again, ‘Raaz 3’ got easier because of Emraan. It’s a more difficult and challenging role for me. Emotionally, it’s very strong, it’s stronger than what Sanjana’s character was in ‘Raaz’.

Q: How are you going to be different than Biapsha of ‘Raaz’?

A: Sanjana’s character was only getting scared, yelling, screaming, but my role is much more than that. Even Vikram had to evolve because people expect more from him, but you know after one point of time, when Emraan found that now she is taking things easily, so he used to only pull my leg when we were on the sets.

Q: It must have been very demanding on the emotional front.

A: As you have seen in the promos that I am crying, there are ghosts and all, at that time, I used to cut down from everyone, I was not even reading. I used to remain in one corner because it’s really difficult to come in and out of the required mood; it’s not a nice feeling all the time, so apart from that, when we had normal scenes, he was making fun of me, pulling my leg and all.

I also used to irritate him a lot, I think I was the only clown for him. Once he said, ‘Why you are not tired after such a long shooting,’ and I said, ‘I just love it, it’s just my second film. Plus it’s 3D, how much can I get.’ And I made friends with everyone, my make up artists and stylists were my closest friends on the sets.

I love the 3D team; they were also the part of ‘Avatar’ team. DOP Praveen sir, who is Vikram’s father as well, was the coolest person there.

Q: Though it’s a rarity in Bollywood but you have a lot of good things to say about Bipasha.

A: Bipasha and I had only two scenes together, so we were together for only four days. You know, Bipasha is very secured and I am very secured as well. I have listened to the script, ‘Raaz 3’ is about these three characters and Vikram has played it so cleverly that one is one the darker side while the other is on the positive side. I am a rising star while Bipasha is an established star who is falling down.

Q: The promos of ‘Raaz 3’ suggest that we are going to see Bipasha in a very strong role, and spotlight will be on her.

A: See, the thing is they had to show me stronger for Bipasha to feel insecure; Sanjana had to be good to make Shanaya insecure. Esha Gupta as an actor, looks wise, style wise, dialogue wise, acting, dance, whatever, she had to be good to meet the expectation level. These things were required to make Sanjana eligible for the black magic act.

Q: Loud characters don’t always make strong characters.

A: Exactly, both of us are subdued, we are not loud, you know, you don’t always need to say that you’re the best. Sometimes even silence makes it better.

Q: Are you ready to be compared with Sanjana of ‘Raaz’ because it seems inevitable.

A: It came in 2002, I wasn’t allowed to watch ‘Raaz’, it was an adult film na. At that time, I never thought of doing such a film. For me what was scary is that ‘Sanjana, Sanjana’ happening in the background. I thought who gets scared like that, but when I had to react like that I was like, ‘Baba re, aise kaun darta hai (Who gets scared like that). So, for me, the exciting thing was Bipasha of ‘Jism’ who I drooled over, and Emraan, who I fell in love after ‘Zehar’. For every man, Emraan is his role model because he gets to kiss the hottest women in the industry.

Q: How do you want to be perceived by the audiences after ‘Raaz 3’?

A: I guess, people already know who Esha Gupta is, after ‘Raaz 3’, they’ll know what Esha Gupta is. (Smiles)