Bhumi Pednekar’s social media account makes it evident that the actress packed in a lot of work even during the lockdown. Gradually, as film shoots resumed Bhumi, too, went back to complete her upcoming film, Durgavati. She finished some patchwork scenes and dubbing for the movie recently. Talking about working in the new normal, Bhumi told BT, “The whole experience is something you get used to eventually. The first day when I stepped out, I was very cautious. Even now, I am absolutely aware of what is going on around me. I always wear a mask, wash my hands, sanitise the place and my things all the time. In fact, I behave like a school principal with people around me who don’t wear a mask. The fear of the Coronavirus pandemic didn’t vanish for me, but I learnt to smartly adapt to the situation, which is what human beings are supposed to do. I take my vitamins regularly and take steam thrice a day when I shoot on a set with people around me because I can’t wear a mask when I am in the frame. You have to find a way to work around this and do it responsibly.”

Emraan Hashmi in his recent chat with BT had said that it annoyed him that a lot of people on the streets pretend like the pandemic is over and don’t wear masks or follow safety protocols. To this, Bhumi said, “People not wearing a mask is a problem. A lot of educated people think it’s over. It’s strange that people get upset if you tell them to wear a mask. This pandemic has changed our lives forever, but we are not learning our lessons yet. I have bizarre conversations where people brush it aside like a basic cold or flu. Thankfully, the mortality rates have come down, but when a thing like COVID-19 happens, a lot of families can’t afford to have someone fall sick. A daily-wage earner’s family will find it expensive to deal with. Recovery toh hogi, but economic repercussions will have a major impact. So many people can fall prey to it (the virus) because one person acted irresponsibly. It upsets me when I see educated people brush it aside saying this is nothing.” 

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 17, 2020)

In January, Bhumi Pednekar started shooting for her supernatural thriller, Durgavati, in Bhopal, with Arshad Warsi and Mahie Gill. They shot for two months at real locations like Moti Mahal, Sadar Manzil, Oriental Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal’s Old Central Jail, Minto Hall and Poha Bhata village, wrapping up the schedule in March, days before a nationwide lockdown was announced. Mirror has now learnt that the team of this Akshay Kumar, Bhushan Kumar and Vikram Malhotra production is reuniting for a two-day patchwork shoot at Mumbai’s Film City.

Bhumi is currently in Goa, at her village, Pedne, and is expected to be back this week. The film marks the Bollywood debut of director G Ashok. “Work on the sets has begun. Following all SOPs, the team will shoot on September 29 and 30,” revealed a source close to the development.

“Bhumi, along with Jisshu Sengupta, who plays a pivotal role, will be a part of the upcoming schedule. Arshad has wrapped up his work and is on the verge of completing his dubbing. Bhumi and Jisshu, too, have been dubbing for their respective tracks. After this twoday shoot, it will be a film wrap,” the source informed, adding that since there are lots of supernatural elements, two units are remotely working on the post production in Mumbai and Chennai. Bhumi plays an IAS officer who is imprisoned in a haunted house. Details of other characters have been kept under wraps.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 1, 2020)

The primary shooting of Bhumi Pednekar’s Durgavati, which went on floors in Madhya Pradesh in January, was completed in March before the Coronavirus lockdown was announced. With filmmakers steadily resuming work on their projects in the past few weeks, word is that director G Ashok is contemplating finishing the patchwork shoot of the Akshay Kumar-backed horror-thriller in a city studio.

A source reveals, “The post-production work had been underway during the lockdown. Only four days’ shoot is remaining, which will be wrapped up before August-end.” Rumours are rife that the makers of the Pednekar-starrer, which is a remake of Ashok’s 2018 Telugu fare Bhaagamathie, have already initiated talks of a digital premiere. However, the source maintains, “At this point, nothing is certain because the film isn’t ready. A call will be taken only upon completion of the movie, depending on the situation of theatres at the time.”

Arshad Warsi opens up on his career’s first spookfest, Golmaal 5 and Munnabhai 3, and silently dabbling in art of a different kind
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 14, 2020)

Arshad Warsi admits that he loves being home so much, Anees Bazmee once called to point out that the Coronavirus lockdown shouldn’t make any difference to him. His life hasn’t changed much. He is getting narrations on video calls and it’s work as usual, with him enjoying himself hugely.

The actor will next be seen in the Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Durgavati. Their last schedule had just wrapped up when all hell broke loose. Arshad, who plays a politician with grey shades, goes on to rave about his dedicated leading lady. “Bhumi is the female Aamir Khan. She will keep on giving retakes till she is satisfied. Durgavati is a really good but difficult film for an actress. This girl has gone to hell and back while the film was being shot,” he shares.

Meanwhile, Rohit Shetty confirmed to Mirror (November 30, 2019) that he is returning with the fifth instalment of the Golmaal franchise. Quiz Arshad, who plays Madhav, on the series, and he says on this film’s set, everybody just knows what to do. “I believe they are scripting currently. It will be crazy fun, I’m waiting for a narration. The madness of the characters and the fun we have making the film is what brings people in,” he reasons, equally gung-ho about Munnabhai 3. Any updates, you ask Circuit, and he remarks, “I know what everyone else knows. The idea is to make it, when and how is still to be figured out. I’m happy to do the film because people like it, but personally, I want to move on to new things.”

He is kicked about one big budget film. “I’m also excited about a horror film being directed by Samir Tewari, with whom I collaborated on Mr Joe B Carvalho earlier. I have not done horror before, but this story grabbed my attention. It is scary and unpredictable till the last shot,” he promises, certain that things will change after the lockdown. “All the backlog of this year and next year will pile up in 2021. Shooting’s going to be tough, it will take time for things to get back to normal.”

He recently introduced the Instagram world to Arshad, the painter. Shyly, he informs that not many know that he has been painting for a while. “I used to paint a lot before, then, I stopped. Recently, I started again, and have been engrossed since. I hang up all my paintings in a small gallery at home and friends come to pick whatever they like,” he laughs.

On May 2, his daughter Zene turned 13. The celebrations aren’t over yet. “My daughter celebrates her birthday for days with multiple parties. She has kept count and told us that we owe her a number of parties for when she can step out,” he says fondly, adding that even the lockdown celebration was a hoot. “She cut three cakes—in the morning, afternoon and evening, and was on video calls with her friends. She still expects a party after the lockdown,” he sighs.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2020)

In the pre-lockdown phase, she was gearing up for a busy 2020 with three important projects in her kitty — Durgavati, Badhaai Do and Takht. In a conversation with BT, Bhumi Pednekar talks about what she expects to be the new normal, post the lockdown. Excerpts:

You were among the last actors to return to Mumbai before the Coronavirus lockdown was implemented in March. Did it feel strange to be at home after a hectic work phase?
We were about to finish the shooting of Durgavati. We had erected sets, and so, we just clocked in crazy hours to complete it in time. I was paranoid that things were spiralling out of control while we were still shooting the film. I don’t know when and how things will get back to normal. As a workaholic, I miss being at work, but I don’t whine or complain about being at home because this is for our safety. We’re privileged to have the comfort of our homes, as opposed to many others, who are in vulnerable conditions. We should be thankful for the things that we are blessed with.

As an actor, do you think this break has disrupted your rhythm?
I was and continue to be concerned about my family, friends and staff. I was restless thinking about them. Work is not on my mind right now. During a crisis like this, you cannot think about yourself alone. We’re going through an experience, which is collectively ours. At a time, when people are staring at unemployment and other grave issues, I cannot, and I am not thinking ki mera kya hoga.

What do you expect the scenario to be like on the other side of the lockdown?
Even when the lockdown is over, things won’t be as they were before it. But we will find ways to work around it. In the times to come, every habit that we have adopted in the last 30-40 days will continue to be a part of our lives. Wearing a mask will be the new normal, and rightly so. As actors, we will have to go back to the drawing board and prep like we’re starting all over again. There will be a new world, which we will have to get used to.

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.

Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 14, 2020)

Kangana Ranaut had returned to Mumbai earlier this month after wrapping up the second schedule of her Jayalalithaa biopic, Thalaivi. She is heading to Chennai in the next few days for the third spell. Producer Shaailesh R Singh informs, “The 45-day schedule is on track and will start next week. We’ll be shooting in Chennai and Hyderabad.”

He adds, “Things are changing every day. The government or industry associations might come out with some new instructions tomorrow, and we will have to adhere to them. So, we can’t predict anything. Other than that, we are going ahead with the work, while keeping safety measures in mind.”
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Vidya Balan joined the shoot of Amit Masurkar’s Sherni in Bhoot Palasi, Madhya Pradesh, on March 4. Meanwhile, Bhumi Pednekar, who plays an IAS officer in Durgavati, Ashok G’s Hindi adaptation of his Telugu film, Bhaagamathie, has been shooting in the state for more than a month.

A spokesperson for Vikram Malhotra, producer of both films, confirmed that work is on track. “The health and safety of our crew is paramount. We’ve set detailed precautionary and safety protocols on the sets of our productions, including Durgavati and Sherni, that are currently being filmed in MP. Masks, hand sanitisers, gloves, hand-washes, immunity-boosting foods… We’ve arranged for all necessary support for the teams. Doctors and medical care are available on set. Our teams’ well-being matters more than the films,” the statement said.

Actress plays a cop in the upcoming thriller which goes on the floors on Thursday in Madhya Pradesh
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 21, 2020)

In November last year, Bhumi Pednekar had revealed that her next film is the horror-thriller Durgavati, which marks the Hindi directorial debut of South filmmaker G Ashok. The actress plays an IAS officer in the film backed by Bhushan Kumar, Akshay Kumar and Vikram Malhotra.

Now, Mirror has learnt that Mahie Gill has been roped in to play the pivotal role of a cop working on a case involving Bhumi’s character. “Mahie agreed to be a part of the film earlier this month and has begun her preliminary prep. She and G Ashok have had several meetings to discuss the look,” informs the source.

The film will go on the floors on January 23 in Madhya Pradesh and will be shot at real locations, including heritage buildings like Moti Mahal, Sadar Manzil and a nearby municipal school, Oriental Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal’s Old Central Jail, Minto Hall, Poha Bhata village, among others. “Mahie will join the team a few days after Bhumi starts shooting,” adds the source.

While Akshay and Bhumi have worked together in the 2017 Shree Narayan Singhdirected Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Mahie and the Khiladi Kumar have appeared in Ganesh Acharaya’s 2015 film Hey Bro, in different songs. Durgavati is the official Hindi adaptation of the Anushka Shetty-starrer 2018 Telugu horror film, Bhaagamathie, which revolved around a woman imprisoned in a haunted house while being interrogated in a corruption case involving a politician.

Mahie rose to fame in 2010 with Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D, going on to win the Filmfare Best Actress Critics award, which was followed by Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster, its 2013 sequel and Dabangg 2. Durgavati marks her comeback to the commercial space. 

Criticised for calling herself 'Hero' of Durgavati, Bhumi Pednekar says the term is gender-neutral
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 30, 2019)

As Bhumi Pednekar took centre-stage among a group of high-profile men while announcing her next, Durgavati, it was evident that the makers were encouraging a power play that hadn't been seen in cinema, so far.

Even though all that the actor hoped to establish was that she would be the protagonist of the Akshay Kumar-backed thriller, a select few didn't take too kindly to her decision to refer to herself as the film's 'Hero'. They cited it as a means to negate the role played by women in cinema.

But, having battled a fair share of criticism on social media, Pednekar isn't easily frazzled by naysayers. "People need to look at the terms 'hero' and 'heroine' in a gender-neutral way, and not from the lens of Bollywood. If someone asks me who my 'hero' is, I'll say, it's my mother. I wouldn't call her the 'heroine' of my life, would I?" Pednekar asks. Even though the actor revealed that she will commence shooting the horror film soon, she isn't willing to discuss details pertaining to the movie, just yet.

Actress starts shooting for Hindi adaptation of Telugu horror film in Madhya Pradesh on Jan 14
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2019)

After kickstarting the year with Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya, Bhumi Pednekar went on to feature in Saand Ki Aankh, Bala and Pati Patni Aur Woh. Now, Mirror has learnt that the actress will start shooting for her next, Durgavati, in Madhya Pradesh on January 14.

Backed by Bhushan Kumar, Akshay Kumar and Vikram Malhotra, the film features Bhumi as an IAS officer. “Bhumi has begun the readings with director Ashok G. The team will be shooting at real locations, including heritage buildings like Moti Mahal, Sadar Manzil and a nearby municipal school, Oriental Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal’s Old Central Jail, Minto hall and Poha Bhata village, among others,” informs a source close to the development.

This is the second time Akshay and Bhumi have collaborated after featuring together in the 2017 comedy-drama, the Shree Narayan Singh-directed Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. Durgavati is the official Hindi adaptation of the Anushka Shetty-starrer 2018 Telugu horror film Bhaagamathie, which revolved around a woman imprisoned in a haunted house while being interrogated in a corruption case involving a politician. “The team is presently working on Bhumi’s look in the film, which will be larger-than-life. Meanwhile, hunt for the supporting cast is underway,” adds the source.

In 2020, Bhumi will be seen in another horror film, the Karan Johar-produced Bhoot: Part One — The Haunted Ship, which revolves around an abandoned ship on a beach.

She will also be seen in KJo’s upcoming multi-starrer Takht alongside Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor and Jahnvi Kapoor.