15 years of Race | Saif Ali Khan | Katrina Kaif | Bipasha | Akshaye Khanna | Sameera | Anil Kapoor

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.

9 years of Saif Ali Khan’s Race 2

#Race2 is always on our minds! Celebrating 9 years of a thrilling chase starring #SaifAliKhan, @deepikapadukone, @TheJohnAbraham, #JacquelineFernandez, @AnilKapoor & @ameesha_patel!#9YearsOfRace2 #DeepikaPadukone #JohnAbraham #JacquelineFernandez #AnilKapoor #AmeeshaPatel pic.twitter.com/3hrgJiBKye

— Tips Films & Music (@tipsofficial) January 25, 2022

Anil Kapoor to work with Saif Ali Khan?

Buzz has it that the makers of an upcoming war film might sign evergreen actor Anil Kapoor for the role which was earlier offered to R. Madhavan. The film also stars Saif Ali Khan in the lead role. Madhavan was very excited about teaming up with Khan after Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, a film which hit screens 17 years ago. But he had to opt out due to his shoulder injury. Now the makers are looking at casting Anil Kapoor in the same role.

“Saif is playing a Pathan who takes revenge after his family gets killed when he was a kid. It is also heard that Anil Kapoor might play a pivotal role in the film,” a source said.

The untitled film is being directed by Navdeep Singh. The director has begun shooting for the movie and Khan was also recently spotted in Rajasthan for the shoot. Mukkabaaz actress Zoya Hussain and Manav Vij are also in the star cast of the film.

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.

‘Race 3’ Likely To Go On Floors Next Year – will Saif Ali Khan be there?

The makers of Race 3 say work on the third installment is in progress and promised the film will be grander and bigger than the first two parts in terms of style and action.

Race is a series of action-thriller films with great story plot, stylised action sequences, lust, love and exotic locations. Both “Race” and Race 2, directed by Abbas Mustan, have done well commercially.

“We are working on the script with our team writers. In two-three months we should be ready. The film might go on floors this year or early next year,” Kumar Taurani, producer of Race series, said.

Both the films have had an ensemble cast but apart from Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan the entire cast have been different.

Asked about the actors in Race 3, he said “casting depends on script. It is too early to talk whether any of the actors would be repeated in the third part or not.”

Besides Race 3, Taurani also plans to turn 1998 hit film Soldier into a franchise. The action-thriller, directed by Abbas-Mustan and produced by Taurani, had Raakhee, Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in the lead.

“Soldier has a great story line which can be taken ahead with Girish (Taurani’s actor son). We are yet to zero in on the story (for the second installment,” Taurani said.