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making up for lost time: Will John Abraham and Bipasha Basu sizzle again as they did in Mumkim (above)?

Fate may not have brought them back together yet, but Ajay Devgan’s secretary-turned-producer Kumar Mangat has done the trick.

Bipasha Basu, who was supposed to do a solo item number in Mangat’s production No Smoking (directed by Anurag Kashyap), will now gyrate with on-again off-again boyfriend John Abraham.

Also, contrary to reports, Saif Ali Khan is not a part of the film.

Mangat confirms, “We have a very happening item number planned with John and Bipasha, and no, Saif is not in the film.”

Sizzling chemistry

The song will be shot in Film City from July 28, and Mangat has erected a lavish set for the same. Omkara director Vishal Bhardwaj has penned the lyrics and Ganesh Acharya will direct the choreography.

Fourth outing

Incidentally, this will be the fourth time John and Bipasha will share screen space together after Pooja Bhatt’s Jism, Vikram Bhatt’s Aetbaar and Vivek Agnihotri’s upcoming film Goal.

Says a source from the No Smoking unit, “I’m sure we won’t have problems shooting the song, but yes, there are bound to be huge expectations. Audiences will definitely want to witness sizzling chemistry between the sexy couple.”

Mangat endorses, “I don’t believe what is being written about John and Bipasha. I’m sure they will be comfortable with each other. I’m looking forward to the shoot.”

As for why Saif is not a part of No Smoking, Mangat says he was never approached for it. “I’m talking to Saif for another film. I’m making many films now so when people hear something, they make assumptions and publish stories without verifying them,” he says.

“Also, Bipasha was never meant to do the No Smoking song solo. It was Vishal’s idea to cast her (Bips played Billo Chamanbahar in Omkara), and we told her she would be dancing with John. Trust me, she did not hesitate before saying yes.”

Too early

Coming back to the song, Mangat refuses to divulge what leads John to gyrate with Bipasha despite being married to Ayesha Takia in the film.

Laughs Mangat, “It’s too early to reveal the situation that leads to this number and I don’t want to give away the lyrics either. All I will say is that it’s a very long song and will be the highlight of the film. It will air from August 15.”

No Smoking also has a sensual number by model Jesse Randhawa, and also stars Ranvir Shorey and Paresh Rawal.