Bipasha Basu Talks To Subhash K Jha On Being Sexy.

You've were selected as Asia's sexiest woman.

Yes and I'm proud of it. I read a journalist taunting me about how serious I tried to sound about being chosen the sexiest woman in Asia. I'd just like see how she'd react if she got the same title. I'm sure any man or woman would be flattered being called the sexiest. I don't see why I've to justify myself for being happy about being called sexy. I feel elated about it. You can't take it away.

How do you define sexy?

It's defined differently from person to person. Those who know me know I'm a very down-to-earth girl with no pretensions to being a diva. For me being sexy is an amalgamation of many factors. Definitely a good physique and a Perfect-10 for health. A good face helps. But confidence, poise and intelligence are musts. Just a body won't do.

How do you fob off unwanted attention?

I've no time or opportunity to think about unwanted attention. Most of the day I'm at work. Besides sets the only place I go to is the gym. Otherwise I enjoy being at home. I may be a very sexy person. But I lead a very boring life.

"Unwanted attention? Yes there're intrusions. I completely shut it out. I've been blessed with blindness. I'm so myopic I don't see people staring at me. Maybe that's why I don't understand this whole concept of wearing a robe on top of your shooting clothes. Because you're going to shed the robe in front of the camera. Since I wear skirts dresses and shorts in real life why should I get coy about them on sets? I believe in comfort clothing. I wear a robe on the sets only when I'm extremely cold. I know it gives people a shock to see me walking up and down in shorts. But my logic is simple. I can't see them. So they can't see me.

Do you wear non-comfort clothes for a role?

No, I think it's very important for me be comfortable in what I'm wearing even on screen. I'm in good shape and I am not body-conscious. There's no clothing that would look alarming on me. Having said that I must say I live in a protected environment and can wear what I want and be how I want. I've people cordoning off what you call unwanted attention. I don't represent the working- class girl. But I do understand the predicament of the girl on the road because I used to be one.

So how do you advice the girl on the road to dress and behave?

She certainly can't be as carefree as me. She has to dress correctly. And if anything untoward happens with the opposite gender she should take it on headlong. If I see rubbish going on around me I react. I've slapped people on the road. I'm quite fiery. No one can mess with me. My sister in Kolkata travels by local train. But she knows how to take care of herself. She doesn't need a man to keep her secure on her roads.

Does having John by your side keep away the wolves?

If they want to be unbecoming they ignore John. However if he stands right next to me he can become very intimidating. I'm told even I'm intimidating. When I'm at work I don't tolerate any shoddiness. My logic is simple. If I give a hundred percent I expect others to do the same. People are on their toes when they're working with me.