Dive into the explosive 2001 Bollywood feud in which Kareena Kapoor allegedly called Bipasha Basu “Kali Billi.” Uncover the drama, reasons, and resolution in this juicy tale!
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Grab your popcorn, Bollywood buffs, because we are diving into one of the spiciest scandals ever to rock Tinsel Town!
In 2001, whispers of a fiery clash between Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu on the sets of Ajnabee set tongues wagging.
The rumor?
Kareena called Bipasha “kali billi” (that is, “black cat” for the uninitiated), sparking a feud that became part of Bollywood legend.
However, did it happen?
Why did it go down?
Moreover, what is the real story behind this catfight?
Let us peel back the curtain on this drama-packed saga brought to you by your friends at THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA, where we love dishing the juiciest Bollywood gossip with a human touch!
The Scene: Ajnabee Sets The Stage For Drama
Picture this: it is 2001, and Ajnabee, a sultry thriller starring Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor, and newbie Bipasha Basu, is filming.
Kareena, the Kapoor dynasty’s golden girl, is fresh off hits like Refugee and confidently strutting her stuff.
Bipasha, the bold and beautiful newcomer, is making waves with her debut role.
The movie’s glamorous vibe through exotic locations and steamy scenes promises a box-office hit.
However, things are heating up behind the scenes for all the wrong reasons.
The spark that lit the fire?
A wardrobe mix-up involving designer Vikram Phadnis.
Kareena, fiercely protective of her style team, reportedly got miffed when Phadnis lent a hand to Bipasha’s costumes without her go-ahead.
A clash with Bollywood buzzing followed, with Kareena allegedly tossing out the now-infamous phrase: “Kali Billi.”
However, was it just a wardrobe spat, or was more brewing between these two leading ladies?
Did Kareena Say It? The “Kali Billi” Mystery
The big question: did Kareena call Bipasha “kali billi”?
The answer is not as straightforward as you would think.
Multiple reports from the early 2000s point to a heated exchange on the Ajnabee set, with Kareena’s sharp tongue allegedly delivering the jab.
Some even claim she raised her hand during the argument, though Bipasha later downplayed this, calling it “childish” in a 2001 Filmfare interview.
Fast forward to 2007, and Kareena stirred the pot again on Koffee with Karan, reportedly tossing out the “Kali Billi” nickname and brushing it off as a joke.
However, it gets murky here: Kareena seemed to deny the whole thing in a 2025 appearance on Aap Ki Adalat.
However, a resurfaced clip from the same show has her cheekily saying, “Toh mein safed Billi hu” (“Then I am a white cat”), hinting that she might not be entirely innocent.
Talk about keeping us guessing!
Bipasha, ever the cool cat, did not let the drama define her.
On Koffee with Karan in 2005, she admitted the Ajnabee set was tense, especially during the Switzerland shoot, but gave Kareena props for being upfront.
“I hate hypocrites,” Bipasha said, suggesting she respected Kareena’s no-nonsense vibe, even if it stung.
Why “Kali Billi”? Unpacking The Drama
So, why did this feud erupt?
The wardrobe incident with Vikram Phadnis is the trigger.
Kareena, known for her fierce loyalty, was not thrilled when her designer helped Bipasha, leading to a showdown.
However, dig deeper; this was not just about clothes.
Bollywood sets are pressure cookers, young stars, big egos, and the constant fight for the spotlight can turn small sparks into full-blown fires.
Some speculate it was a clash of personalities.
Kareena, with her industry pedigree, was an established star.
Bipasha, the confident outsider, was stealing attention with her bold debut.
Add in the competitive vibe of Bollywood’s early 2000s, and you have a drama recipe.
The “kali billi” remark raised eyebrows for another reason: many saw it as a jab at Bipasha’s darker complexion, sparking discussions about colorism in an industry obsessed with fair skin.
This was not just a personal spat.
It touched on deeper cultural issues that still resonate today.
The Fallout: No More Screen Time Together
The Ajnabee feud had lasting effects.
Kareena and Bipasha never shared the screen again, with Bipasha making it clear in 2005 that she was not keen on a sequel. “Once was enough,” she quipped.
The media had a field day, with tabloids milking the “Kali Billi” story for years.
However, time heals all wounds, right?
By 2018, reports suggested the duo had patched things up, settling into a cordial, if distant, relationship with no joint projects or bad blood.
The Bigger Picture: Colorism In Bollywood
The “Kali Billi” saga was not just about two actresses duking it out.
It shone a spotlight on Bollywood’s complicated relationship with skin tone.
Whether meant as a playful dig or something sharper, the phrase hit a nerve because it echoed the industry’s bias toward lighter skin.
Bipasha, with her dusky beauty, faced scrutiny in an era when fairness creams were everywhere, and her resilience in the face of such comments only added to her star power.
This was not an isolated issue.
Around the same time, other stars, like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, called out color discrimination, highlighting how deeply rooted these biases were.
Though small in the grand scheme, the “Kali Billi” incident became a talking point for broader conversations about representation and respect in Bollywood.
Timeline Of The Feud: A Quick Look
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The “Kali Billi” Incident | Kareena allegedly called Bipasha “kali billi” during a wardrobe dispute on Ajnabee sets, but Bipasha called it “childish” in Filmfare. |
| 2005 | Bipasha Spills the Tea | On Koffee with Karan, Bipasha discusses the frosty Ajnabee set but praises Kareena’s honesty. |
| 2007 | Kareena’s Playful Jab | Kareena reportedly repeats “kali billi” on Koffee with Karan, calling it a joke. |
| 2025 | Kareena’s Denial (Sort Of) | On Aap Ki Adalat, Kareena denies the remark but quips, “Then I’m a white cat,” in a resurfaced clip. |
| 2018 | Peace at Last | Reports confirm Kareena and Bipasha are now cordial, ending the feud. |
Where Are They Now?
Fast forward to 2025, and both actresses have carved out stellar careers.
Now a Bollywood icon, Kareena continues to dazzle in films like Laal Singh Chaddha and runs her production house, delivering hits.
After a string of successful thrillers and horror flicks, Bipasha has embraced a quieter life, focusing on fitness and family with husband Karan Singh Grover.
Their feud may be a distant memory, but it is still a juicy chapter in Bollywood’s history.
The Gossip That Keeps On Giving
Why does this feud still captivate us?
It is more than just gossip—it is a peek into Bollywood’s raw, unfiltered world.
It concerns ambition, rivalry, and the pressure to shine in an industry that scrutinizes every move.
The “Kali Billi” tale reminds us that even stars are human, with tempers and egos that can spark unforgettable drama.
It teaches how words can leave a lasting mark, especially those tied to sensitive issues like skin tone.
Wrapping It Up
So, did Kareena call Bipasha “kali billi”?
The evidence points to yes, though Kareena’s played it coy over the years.
Was it just a wardrobe spat or a clash of Bollywood titans?
It is a small quantity of both.
What is clear is that this feud, born on the Ajnabee set, became a legendary tale of rivalry, colorism, and eventual reconciliation.
Next time you watch Ajnabee, picture the behind-the-scenes chaos, a wardrobe mix-up, a fiery exchange, and a nickname that’s still got claws!
I loved this deep dive into Bollywood drama.
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Drop a comment below about your take on the “Kali Billi” saga.
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Trivia Time: Did You Know?
Bipasha Basu’s debut in Ajnabee was not just notable for the feud—she bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, proving her star power right out of the gate! Talk about turning drama into triumph.
Check Out: Where Is Bipasha Basu Now? Unveiling Her Current Journey
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