The Star Of The Spectrum - Bhumi Pednekar

The interview takes place on a breezy Thursday as I sit down with umpteen questions that run through my mind. Our latest issue’s cover star needs no introduction. Bhumi Pednekar has managed to win the hearts of cinephiles as well as those who aren’t ardent cinemagoers (like me) alike. Unlike many who have a cinematic legacy to bank on, Pednekar had to climb her way up, charting a rather unconventional (she played an overweight small-town girl in her debut and will portray a 65-year-old in her latest film, ‘Saand Ki Aankh’) but promising path for herself. She doesn’t shy away from sharing her journey and is pretty upfront about the years prior to her debut. Her energy is palpable as we discuss our current reads (she almost squeals in delight as I mention that I am reading ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’). Wedding Affair (WA) gets into a candid and refreshing conversation with one of the most intelligent and talented artistes of our Indian film industry — Bhumi Pednekar (BP).

- Priyanka Lamba

WA: Your journey really intrigues me. Starting off as an assistant casting director and ending up as an actor. Tell us more about the same.

BP: I started my career as an assistant casting director at Yash Raj Films (YRF) with Abhimanyu Ray. After working with him, I joined Shanoo Sharma and was responsible for the secondary casting. In the gap between these two casting jobs, I did all kinds of odd jobs at YRF. Though I never really shared it with anyone, but I always wanted to be an actress. The one thing I am really proud of is that ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ didn’t happen because I was at the right place at the right time. I had personally auditioned 200-250 girls for the character of Sandhya (she was helping out in the casting process of her debut before being chosen to play the lead). I got it purely on the basis of merit. My audition process was a lot tougher because Sharat Kataria (director of her debut) was sceptical regarding my casting. Being born and bred in Mumbai, how will I do justice to the character of a smalltown girl? But then I started gaining weight, underwent training and finally ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ happened.

WA: Why ‘Dum Laga ke Haisha’? Yes, people are more accepting towards films that are off the beaten track but still choosing such an unconventional character as a debut could have gone both ways.

BP: I will be very honest with you. I don’t think I chose ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ (smiles), the project chose me. Being from a non-film background, you don’t get to choose the debut that you want. I am very fortunate that my debut happened with an interesting project like ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’. I wanted to break the norm, I wanted to shatter the stereotypes revolving around a leading heroine. I feel this is the exact reason why I am where I am today.