Upala KBR (DNA; January 25, 2017)

Bhumi Pednekar’s mentor Aditya Chopra has seen some rushes of her upcoming Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and came away so impressed with her performance that he has asked her not to sign more films till he gives the go-ahead.

He firmly believes that directors will make a beeline for her after the film releases. Bhumi confirms, “I have two films this year. But I am not on a signing spree. I want to finish one project and move on to my next film. And I don’t take any step in my career without speaking to Adi Sir about it. He is a part of every decision I make. I have a conversation with him on everything. For Adi Sir and YRF it has always been quality over quantity. It’s not just as an actor but I have such immense love and respect for Adi sir as he has changed my life. He and Shanoo (Sharma, casting director) have shown such faith in me that I can’t say yes to anything without speaking to them.”

Bhumi says besides Adi her career advisor is her mom Sumitra who takes care of her husband’s construction business. “Mom’s a big part of my career, too. She’s so dedicated to my sister and me despite being a working woman and has her own job. When I get a script we both read, jam, jam over it and discuss its pros and cons. We are very close to each other. Mom is very involved in my work — be it my appearances or scripts, she has the last word.”