New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI): Defending Bollywood's fondness for visiting shrines and temples ahead of film releases, actress Bipasha Basu says religion and superstition are very much part of the industry.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar along with lead actor Kareena Kapoor decided to launch the music of his forthcoming film "Heroine" at Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, causing a stampede like situation.

While producer Ekta Kapoor caused controversy when she visited Ajmer Sharif Dargah before the release of "Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum". She was accused of using the shrine visit to promote the adult comedy by some religious heads.

"Religion and superstition are part of our country and they also exist in our business. We actors pray a lot. Before any release everyone is going to dargahs, temples and it shows the vulnerable side of an actor. It is not that we are selfish people. We are there to just ask for a hit. There is nothing wrong in doing so," Bipasha told PTI.

The 33-year-old actress is all set for the release of her film "Raaz 3", which will see her portray the role of a fading actress, who resorts to black magic to bring down an upcoming star's career.

In an unique promotional strategy for the film, Bipasha was recently spotted handing out nimboo-mirchi (lemon and chilly) to autowallahs in Mumbai. "It is fun. It is not leading to anything which is wrong. Nimboo-mirchi is something we all do. It is just to ward off the evil. Every Saturday I buy it and put it in my car. My mother has made it a tradition and asked me to do it. Putting it on auto-rickshaws was a fun way to promote the film," she said.

"Raaz 3" directed by Vikram Bhat, also stars Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta and will hit theatres on September 7.