Bhumi Pednekar, Grappling With A Quieter Form Of Soul-Wrestling

Bhumi Pednekar talks about Covid relief work, revival, and why it’s important to come to terms with loss

Actor Bhumi Pednekar is currently grappling with a quieter form of soul-wrestling. Having retreated to the hills of the North-East for some downtime, the actor says she takes walks by herself. At times, she finds moments of quiet transcendence in her solitude, especially after the life-changing few months she’s had to battle through emotionally. “As I sit here, flanked by so much greenery and fresh air,” she reflects, “as my body bakes in the sun that pours down on me, each breath I take reminds me that I’m not forsaken.” Other times, her solitude makes her fussy and angsty. “Life hasn’t been the same since I contracted the virus. But, I can truthfully say that it has allowed me to live my days with a sense of purpose,” she says.

Pednekar and her mother had tested positive for the coronavirus in April, and post her recovery, she has been helping people enable facilitation and access to medical supplies, through Instagram and Twitter. Calling it a “small contribution to the huge battle that lies ahead”, the actor had asked her followers to send genuine requests on her social media. “It all started with me sharing a request for help on Instagram Stories. Within 15 minutes, my DM was flooded with requests. It’s our moral obligation, as people of influence, to reach out and help those in need. The desperation was palpable,” she says.