Bipasha Basu on 14 years of ‘Race’: I loved working with Saif on this film, his energy is infectious

Bipasha Basu’s glamorous and stunning performance of a femme fatale in ‘Race’ (2008) was an instant hit with the audience. As the film clocks 14 years of release today, Bipasha reminisced about her time on the sets of the fast paced thriller.

Speaking about her camaraderie with co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif and Anil Kapoor, Bipasha stated, “I loved working with Saif on this particular film. He is tremendous fun, his energy is infectious, he’s funny and vibrant! Akshaye Khanna again is wonderful. I have worked with him before too and he’s an amazing person to work with. He’s extremely talented. Katrina did really well in the film too. She looked very glamorous. Anil Kapoor is amazing too. Having such tremendously fun and talented actors, all of it translated really well. Our producer Ramesh Taurani was just amazing. Far away in South Africa, he used to make us pani puri and bhel for snacks! It was a very homely unit – we used to party together, eat together and go out together.” Bipasha Basu as Sonia, kept the audience engaged with shocking twists in the narrative.

Directed by Abbas-Mustan, ‘Race’ was turned into a franchise. Its second installment, featuring Saif, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandez, released in 2013, while the third part was directed by Remo D’Souza and was headlined by Salman Khan.

Saif Ali Khan on 14 years of Race: Ranvir was an opportunity to show a more mature side

Race, along with Vishal Bharadwaj’s Omkara, is credited for showcasing a different side to Saif Ali Khan, who had before them featured in a series of romantic dramas and comedies like Ta Ra Rum Pum, Salaam Namaste and Parineeta.

Saif Ali Khan’s long standing career is replete with achievements but one success that’s quite special to him is the 2008 film Race, as he says that he felt ‘grown up’ as an actor after playing a string of “chocolate boy” characters.

Race opened to acclaim upon its release on March 21 and went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year. The film, fronted by Khan, also featured Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy.

Race — which later turned into a franchise with two more installments released in 2013 and 2018 — chronicled the story of two half brothers, played by Khan and Khanna, caught in a web of lies, deceit and greed.

A decade of Saif Ali Khan’s Race: 5 reasons why the Abbas-Mustan film still thrills

Director duo Abbas and Mustan are known for their thrillers, usually with an element of suspense. Race (2008) became something of a turning point in the career of the brothers. Not just because the film became a hit — they had delivered many hits already — but also because they raised the bar for crafting and narrating an Abbas-Mustan thriller. From here on, they have maintained the style.

The film starring Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy was released exactly 10 years ago on 21 March 2008 (how time flies).

On the tenth anniversary of Race, we bring you five reasons why the film worked at the box office and is still fondly remembered.

This is why Saif Ali Khan rejected Race 3 despite having starred in first two films

The third instalment of the Race franchise will not see Saif Ali Khan and the reason is quite justifiable.

After wrapping up Ali Abbas Zafar’ Tiger Zinda Hai shoot, Salman Khan will begin filming Race 3. The third instalment of the Race franchise will see Jacqueline Fernandez opposite the superstar and will be helmed by Remo D’Souza.

However, unlike the first two films that starred Saif Ali Khan, Race 3 will not see the Nawab of Pataudi.

According to reports, the makers had approached Saif for a parallel lead along with Salman but the Rangoon actor refused it.

Buzz is that Saif didn’t want to play a second lead given that he had been the hero of the first two films. “He was the hero of the franchise. Suddenly, why would he want to be the second lead to Salman,” a source said.

Meanwhile, reports have been doing the rounds that Race 3 will be bigger and better than its previous instalments. The story will take a huge leap and the makers plan to make the car chase, action stunts sequences much interesting than the first two films of the franchise.

Interestingly, Race 3 is likely to be made in 3D and if the report turns out to be true, Salman will become the first Khan of Bollywood to do a 3D movie. “The plan is to make Race 3 in 3D format. That’s going to be huge because India has never witnessed an action film with an A-list actor in this format before. The crazy action and the car chases and stunts in the format should be interesting,” another source said.

Will Saif Ali Khan be part of Race 3?

Salman Khan is on an-all time career high after delivering his 10th Rs 100-crore film – ‘Sultan’. The star, who is currently shooting for the hit reality show ‘Bigg Boss 10’, will soon head to Ladakh to begin shooting for Kabir Khan’s war drama ‘Tubelight’. But what after that?

Reports state that the actor will replace Saif Ali Khan in ‘Race 3’. Salman has allegedly read the script and is keen on signing the project on the dotted line sooner than expected. If rumours are to be believed then the star will hop on board within the next few days. We know that Sallu will star in brother Arbaaz Khan’s ‘Dabangg 3’ which goes on floors mid-2017. If the actor does sign on ‘Race 3’, it will be refreshing to see him crank up the engines and play the bad guy after depicting a string of simple and loveable characters in films like ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ and ‘Sultan’.

Producer Ramesh Taurani confirms that Salman Khan is NOT replacing Saif Ali Khan in Race 3

Rumors were rife that Salman Khan will replace Saif Ali Khan in the third installment of the ‘Race’ franchise; however the rumors turn out to be false. Producer Ramesh Taurani spoke about it and revealed that Salman is not replacing Saif.

Salman was touted to play a grey character in the movie and reports also suggested that he is strongly willing to play that particular character in ‘Race 3’. However, we will have to wait for some time to see superstar Salman playing a negative role.

Is Salman Khan replacing Saif Ali Khan in Race 3?

The latest buzz is that Salman Khan, the Sultan of Bollywood whose stars are on the ascendant, has already read the script of Race 3 and is likely to sign on dotted lines in the next few days. Salman Khan, who has been on a success spree at the box office with his super hit flicks like Sultan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, etc., will replace Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan in the third version of the famous franchise.

The makers want the latest craze in the town to be the part of their Race 3 and Salman Khan is not averse to the idea, considering the fact that the Race series has been a rocking success at the box office so far.

The official announcement in this regard is expected soon as Salman Khan will have to start shooting for Race 3 after the completion of Kabir Khan’s ambitious project Tubelight, which has already taken off in Ladakh.