Released on 17 January 2003, Jism, starring Bipasha Basu and John Abraham, was one of the early successful mainstream erotic thrillers.
Written by Mahesh Bhatt, the film borrowed its plot from the Hollywood film Body Heat (1981). The acting was nothing to write home about. But, interestingly, there were many other things that made this a film worth remembering.
Here is our pick of five unforgettable facts about Jism (2003).
1. Bipasha Basu and John Abraham's chemistry
One of the hottest male models of the time, John Abraham made his Hindi film debut with Jism, and was paired with the newly anointed sex symbol Bipasha Basu, who had made her debut with Ajnabee (2001). The two got really close while shooting the film and began dating before it hit the theatres. Their off-screen affair rubbed off on screen too, and gave audiences the kind of intense chemistry that an erotic thriller needs.
2. The in-your-face sex scenes
Kabir (John), an alcoholic playboy, and the unhappily married Sonia indulge in several sexual escapades throughout the film. Many erotic thrillers have been made in Hindi cinema over the years, but Jism remains one of the more memorable, thanks to the way the intimate sequences were shot. From multiple smooches and intense lovemaking on the beach to blindfold sex in the bedroom, the eroticism in this one was too hot to handle for the time. Fifty shades of Kabir anyone?
3. 'Yeh jism pyar karna nahi jaanta'
Picture this: A roomful of lit candles. Bipasha Basu in thigh-high-slit gown, sitting seductively on the sofa, with a gun hidden under the cushion. And when Kabir aka John Abraham talks to her about love, she says, "Yeh jism pyar karna nahi jaanta, Kabir, ye jaanta hai sirf bhook, jism ki bhook [This body does not seek love, Kabir, it only seeks lust]."
Written by Niranjan Iyengar, this dialogue, mouthed by Bipasha Basu's sultry villainess in the penultimate scene of the film, has endured for 15 years. While it was bold and sexy then, it is used more for comic relief today. But we are sure several years from now too, the film will be remembered for this dialogue if not for anything else.
4. Songs
From Shreya Ghosal's seductive 'Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai' and romantic 'Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein' to Roop Kumar Rathod's heart-breaking 'Shikayat Hai' and KK's melancholic rendition of 'Awaarapan', music composer MM Kreem composed a beautiful, melodious and diverse album.
5. Perennially shirtless John
John Abraham had the shirt off his back more than he had it on in this film, putting his gym-toned torso on display at every opportunity. Not that anyone in the audience was complaining! This film also made him and Bipasha Basu the sex symbols of the early 2000s.