Bhumi Pednekar on gravitating towards socially-relevant films and why she’d want more than just entertainment from them
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 13, 2020)

Bhumi Pednekar was shooting for G Ashok’s horror-thriller Durgavati in Madhya Pradesh, when various film associations called for a halt in all production work due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Soon after, a video surfaced online in which the actress was seen sanitising her seat on a flight back home. “I have a responsibility towards my family. Even my staff made sure that their seats were sanitised; anybody could have been a carrier. It is nothing to be ashamed of. I was coming home to my mother, who is in the age group that is vulnerable to the disease,” Bhumi points out.

The actress goes on to emphasise that while her family worried about her safety, she was more concerned about them. “My sister is a lawyer. She goes to the office and a lot of people come home to meet her,” Bhumi shares, saying that on her part, she has cut off physical contact with anyone outside her family during the lockdown. “I have revived my love for reading and am catching up on my sleep. I had been shooting continuously since 2017 so it’s time for a breather. I am also learning how to cook like my mother, simple ghar ka khaana, recipes I can pass on to my children when I start a family,” she reveals.

Besides Durgavati, Bhumi also has Karan Johar’s period-drama Takht, Badhaai Do, the sequel to Badhaai Ho and the chick-flick, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, in the offing. But in the current scenario, she believes one’s duty towards the country takes precedence and it is important to stay in, stay safe, and keep healthy. Bhumi concedes that she is excited to take the Badhaai Ho franchise forward. “Badhaai Do is a quirky family-drama that stays true to the series. Even the writers are the same as Part 1. Most of all, I look forward to working with Rajkummar (Rao, the protagonist in Part 2),” she exults.

She also perks up at the mention of Ayushmann Khurrana, who fronted the first film and has shared screen space with her in several projects, the more recent being Bala. “Ayushmann has worked so hard to be where he is today. He is special to me as I started my career with him. We work really well together since our sensibilities are very alike,” she reasons. Last year, Ranveer Singh had noted that Ayushmann had created his own genre in films, and Bhumi couldn’t agree more. “I am trying to do the same. I am really proud of Ayushmann. I am not sure if I’ll be able to own a genre but I am sure I have created a space for myself as an actress,” she asserts.

Since her debut with Dum Laga Ke Haisha, the actress has done several socially-relevant films. When asked about her connect with the genre, she says, “There are so many interesting stories today. As an audience, if I am investing two-and-a-half hours in a film, I’d expect more than just entertainment,” she avers, quick to add that it was not a conscious decision to gravitate towards social-dramas. “The women I want to play should have gravitas and it is possible only if the story has it. The definition of cinema has changed; today, anything that is high on content, delivers a message, too,” she signs off.