Bipasha Basu with Saif Ali Khan in Race

What is John’s reaction when you sport revealing outfits?

John is very supportive of my career. He met me when I was already established and he was just starting out, so he didn’t react like the typical Indian male. I had acquired the tag of being a sex symbol so he knew who he was befriending.

But now that he is a star in his own right, has his attitude changed?

No, not at all. He is a sex symbol in his own right, one of the most attractive men that we have around.

How would you describe him?

Insane. I am calm, while he is hyper. We are together because opposites attract.

How would you react if John told you the skirt you are wearing is too short?

He has told me so on a couple of occasions but my favourite outfit is a short skirt. Unlike some actresses, if I am wearing something on screen, I don’t hesitate to wear that off screen too. I am not a hypocrite.

Have men ogled at you on the sets?

Look, I am short-sighted. So even if someone were to ogle at me, it wouldn’t register!

Would John notice if you change your make-up?

He notices everything. Even if I do my eyebrows a little differently, he notices.

How does it feel when John praises you all the time?

He had better praise me; he is my boyfriend! But he doesn’t praise me when I am with him. I am pleasantly surprised that he praises me in front of other people.

But do you think most men like to sort out matters?

I have observed that men never want to tackle situations, be it my dad or John. They like to shut their eyes to the problem. No wonder men have such high stress levels. I feel you can’t go to bed or leave town without sorting out matters if something is amiss. When there is something to be discussed, I don’t give John a choice. He has to participate.

Do men respond more to conventionally beautiful women?

Maybe for the first two three times; but finally it is all about who you are.

When a man compliments you, how do you know if he is being genuine or just flattering you?

I am pretty intelligent and smart. I know in this industry you are flattered when you are successful, whether you are beautiful or not.

Do you identify at any level with your famous character in Jism — a woman who uses her body to fool men?

No, not at all. I have been extremely independent from a very early age. If I was broke, I preferred to eat a banana rather than go out on a date. I was young and happening as a model, I could have easily latched on to a big tycoon boyfriend (but I didn’t). Though John is my boyfriend, I like to pay for my own things. I am very emotionally dependent on people therefore I prefer to be financially self-reliant.

Does a man always have to make the first move?

It was always the man who wooed me. I believe in the old school of thought that a man has to woo the woman.

Did you feel the male gaze shift when you put on weight sometime back?

When I had put on weight, I wasn’t aware that I had done so because my boyfriend always thought that I was really hot and sexy. When you are head over heels in love, it just spoils you. It was only after a few critics mentioned it, that I realised the change and took charge of my health and weight.

But does the way men view women change when they put on weight?

No, I don’t think so. I think Indian men are really gullible. They like buxom women.