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.

Celebrating 10 years of Omkara – Saif Ali Khan’s Langda Tyagi

Omkara Lyrical Full Song | Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi & Kareena Kapoor

Saif Ali Khan’s Humshakals released one year ago

Filmmaker Sajid Khan’s comedy movie ‘Humshakals’ featured Saif Ali Khan, Esha Gupta, Riteish Deshmukh, Bipasha Basu, Ram Kapoor and Tamannaah Bhatia, has completed it’s one year of relese today. The film was released on June 20 last year.

Sajid Khan directed film was produced by Vashu Bhagnani, co-produced by Fox Star Studios and Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment. In the film Saif Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh were in triple roles.

Saif Ali Khan played the role of Ashok, Tamannaah Bhatia as Shanaya, Riteish Deshmukh as Kumar, Bipasha Basu as Mishti, Ram Kapoor as Kunwar Amar Nath Singh/Johnny/Balbir, Esha Gupta as Dr. Shivani Gupta, Satish Shah as Y.M. Raj, Darshan Jariwala as Cyrus Patel, Chunkey Pandey as Karan T Bijlani and Nawab Shah was seen as Dr. Khan.

Despite poor critical reception, the film did well at the box office during first few days after release. Bipasha Basu called Humshakals “the worst experience of her life,” and Esha Gupta reportedly warned family members not to see the film.

Unseen movie still of Saif Ali Khan for Race