Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu is reportedly preparing to return to acting with filmmaker Hansal Mehta’s upcoming crime thriller series Barabanki, marking her first major screen project in nearly six years.
According to reports, Bipasha has already started filming for the series in Mumbai. The project is expected to mark an important new chapter in the actress’s career after an extended break from acting.
Bipasha’s most recent screen appearance was in the 2020 OTT thriller Dangerous, which also marked her debut in the digital entertainment space. Her last theatrical feature was Alone, released in 2015.
The actress stepped away from regular acting work in the years that followed and welcomed her daughter, Devi, in 2022. Although she has remained largely absent from acting projects, Bipasha has continued to maintain a strong presence on social media.
Barabanki will reportedly be based on retired IPS officer Aloke Lal’s book The Barabanki Narcos: Busting India’s Most Notorious Drug Cartel. The series is set in 1984 and focuses on an intense police operation against a powerful opium cartel in Uttar Pradesh.
The story is expected to explore the efforts of Aloke Lal and his team as they take on an influential network involved in the illegal drug trade.
While details about Bipasha Basu’s role are being kept confidential, reports indicate that her character will have an important connection with the central protagonist.
Rather than appearing in a limited role, the actress is reportedly expected to play a substantial part in the storyline. Her character is also said to feature a significantly different appearance from her previous screen roles.
The series will additionally feature actors Sunny Kaushal and Vishal Jethwa in prominent roles. The makers have so far kept information about their characters under wraps, adding to the anticipation surrounding the crime thriller.
Reports suggest that Bipasha agreed to join the project after Hansal Mehta personally narrated the story to her. The collaboration is particularly notable because Mehta was reportedly among the filmmakers the actress had wanted to work with.
The role is said to have appealed to Bipasha because of its challenging nature and the opportunity to return to acting with a character that differs from her earlier work.
Hansal Mehta has established a reputation for bringing real-life events and personalities to the screen. His acclaimed projects include Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, Scoop and Scam 2003: The Telgi Story.
His experience with fact-based crime and investigative stories has generated interest in Barabanki, particularly because the series draws inspiration from a real police operation.
For Bipasha Basu, the reported comeback comes after a considerable period away from acting. Her return to a crime thriller under the direction of Hansal Mehta could give the actress an opportunity to explore a more dramatic and demanding role.
The makers have yet to officially reveal several key details about Barabanki, including the complete character lineup, release date and streaming platform.
Further information is expected as production progresses and the project moves closer to its official announcement.
