Bips' big bucks on small screen

Bipasha Basu looks all set to create a new record on television. The buzz is that.

The Bong bombshell will host an upcoming reality show, Female Model Hunt, for a whopping Rs 65-70 lakh per episode.

If the deal comes through, Bipasha will become the highest-paid woman celebrity on Indian television.

Female Model Hunt will be produced by Shah Rukh Khan's TV software production company Red Chillies Idiot Box and is based on popular US show America's Next Top Model.

Red Chillies has started inviting applications from contestants on its website, though they are yet to finalise which channel will air the show.

Bipasha's paycheque will be fatter than those of other Bollywood actresses.

In the 30-plus bracket, including Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Rani Mukherji. "Older filmstars have an emotional connect with TV viewers.

Plus, actresses such as Bipasha, Preity, Rani and Sushmita stand to gain from TV because younger faces are taking over the big screen. It also helps them stay in touch with their big fan base," says Manish Porwal, CEO of Percept Talent Management.
Says ad guru Prahlad Kakkar:

"Money is obviously the biggest driving force for Bipasha. Who wouldn't agree to do a show if she is offered Rs 60-70 lakh per episode? Plus, actresses like Bipasha, Preity and Rani aren't really busy with films these days." Preity is believed to have signed The Preity Zinta Show, a celebrity chat show. The actress is reportedly set to receive Rs 60 lakh per episode.

Sushmita might have no new films in hand after the debacle of Do Knot Disturb recently, but the former Miss Universe is believed to have been offered almost Rs 50 lakh for an appearance in one episode on NDTV Imagine's upcoming show, Raaz Pichlay Janam Ka. Rani, too, is creating a buzz with her debut television stint as celebrity judge on Sony's Dance Premier League. Although her last film Dil Bole Hadippa flopped, she is earning Rs 50 lakh per episode for doling out a few comments on the contestants' moves.

"There are a lot of audiences who don't visit the theatre, but enjoy getting entertained in their homes. So, this is a very good medium to connect with millions of my fans," Rani said. "After Amitabh Bachchan's successful stint with Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bollywood stars realised they can easily go back to films after making big money on TV. Also, the small screen is witnessing a lot of innovation, which gives the stars various opportunities," says Porwal.

In the past, Madhuri Dixit and Shilpa Shetty made their debuts on the small screen. While Madhuri hosted the flop matrimony-based TV show, Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai, Shilpa was the host of Bigg Boss season 2 last year.