In Her Element

Just four years into the industry, and Bollywood’s gritty star Bhumi Pednekar has taken on many forms—an overweight bride, a lust-worthy maid, and even an elderly sharpshooter. In an exclusive chat with asiaSpa India, she gives us a glimpse into her formerly unseen avatar—speaking about her love for superfoods, Pilates and massages.

- Priyanka Chakrabarti

Bhumi Pednekar can be feisty and surreal at the same time. Someone who weighs quality over quantity, she is an emotive actress who has carved out a niche in the industry with her unconventional choice of scripts, and a personal physical transformation journey. From shutting down stereotypes in Dum Laga Ke Haisha to making you go weak in the knees with her understated seductiveness in Lust Stories, Bhumi is a force to reckon with.

What’s your definition of wellness?

Bhumi: Wellness for me is a mix of a lot of things, but it starts with good mental health. Your mind should be free of burden, to begin with. Then, taking care of your body, eating right, meditating, indulging in art and music, and of course, embarking on a spiritual journey—all these factors add on to form my definition of wellness.

Tell us about your favourite wellness resort.

Bhumi: It’s a place in Austria called VIVAMAYR. I absolutely love this spa resort. In fact, I visit this place pretty often because it truly disconnects me from the world outside. This is my rejuvenation haven.

What’s your favourite type of massage?

Bhumi: I love all kinds of massages. I am somebody who can take massages for eight hours a day. In fact, I have been obsessed with massages since I was a child. However, if I must pick one, I would say I love a good deep tissue session; since I exercise a lot, this massage technique works out very well for me. I also love relaxing Ayurvedic massages.

Your favourite workout format?