20 things you didn't know about Birthday girl Bipasha

The very gorgeous Bipasha Basu turns a year older on 7th January and we celebrate some of her moments.
In this photo, she poses for Maxim.

Contrary to what many people believe, she isn't a Taurean. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn.

"I was  short, dark and chubby. No one thought I was pretty. Somewhere along the way, I shot up in height and started to look better," says the gorgeous Bong beauty.

Bips began her modelling career a little earlier than most people. She won a few beauty contests including the Ford Supermodel of the World in December 1996. "I was modelling at the age of 16, doing fashion shows all over the world. After that, modelling contracts in New York and Paris took over my life," she says.

Acting was an unplanned career move for Bipasha. People in the industry thought that she "was dark and different from what a conventional bollywood heroine was.' Initially, the color of her skin was the cause of a lot of comments, but as she puts it, 'it did help me find my niche in the industry."

Bipasha used to find the whiole song and dance routine of Bollywood a little strange when she was a newcomer. "Dancing in the middle of a crowded street seemed very strange to me. But over time, I have begun to understand the purpose of fantasy and the way it affects the audience," she now says.

The Bong beauty is a go getter and likes to take hold of her life. "You could either let life dictate your path, your existence, your career or you could chart your own destiny - the way you want it to be! If you are confident in yourself, looking good is just an extra bonus," says Bips.

Bipasha started her Bollywood innings with movies like Jism which sold purely on her sex appeal. She gave a power packed performance in that film.

With her last release, Lamhaa, Bipasha Basu made the critics sit up and notice. She played the role of a  Kashmiri woman who stood up against corruption.

She won major critical acclaim for her role as a strong and an independent businesswoman in the movie Corporate. Bipasha feels she got the role of a lifetime with that movie.

Bipasha and lover boy, actor John Abraham are now into the ninth year of their relationship. It seems everyone could take a leaf out of their book.

She firmly believes in the philosophy of LOVE YOURSELF. "This conviction has always held me in good stead, urging me to stay firm in my resolutions and pushing me to rise up to challenges," she says.

If it wasnt for modelling, Bipasha would have continued with her studies. "I was always good in academics. I spent the better part of my education studying at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Kolkata, where I was the Prefect and later, the Head Girl," she tells us.

Bipasha's favourite designer is Rocky S, who is also a dear friend.

Looking back on her successful life, if there is one regret, she confesses that it would be the fact that she could not study further.

Bipasha has also promoted marathons for a healthy living. After Mumbai, she braced the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon recently.

Bipasha Basu has also started working on her first international film Singularity with Hollywood hunk Josh Harnett. She is playing a Maratha warrior in the film and has got a new look.

Bips has no qualms acting in any language. "But South Indian languages are very difficult. I think its very important to understand a language to do a movie in it," she believes.

Bipasha's career in movies took a leap forward after a few years of modelling. "I believe I have involved myself completely into 'The Bollywood Way', " says the actress who has given commercial hits like Bachna Ae Haseeno, Race and Dhoom2.

"Advertisements and music videos were just a few of the opportunities that fell into my lap," she says. A lucky gal indeed.