FILMS HAVE MADE ME MORE HUMBLE: BHUMI

The actor says portraying small-town characters was an eye-opener, but now she’d like to go beyond those

In just four years, actor Bhumi Pednekar has established herself as a worthy artist. Her effortless portrayal of characters from small-town milieu and strong women on screen has impressed the audience and the critics alike. With hits such as Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (both 2017) in her kitty, the 30-year-old is more confident to push the envelope in her upcoming five films, and take on the creative challenges. Excerpts:

You have been working on five films back-to-back. Do you feel overwhelmed?

Honestly, it has so happened that everything has come one after the other. I have been promoting Saand Ki Aankh. Then, I went to Korea for the premiere of Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. Bala is also releasing soon, then I am finishing Pati Patni Aur Woh... Yes, I am a little stretched, but this is a fantastic phase, this is what I always wanted. It’s hectic but it’s a great time, I am not complaining at all.

If not acting, then what would you choose as your profession?

I definitely would have been doing something related to film-making, may be directing. But the kind of person I am, I would be doing something humanitarian for sure.

Was it difficult to play an older woman in your upcoming film, Saand ki Aankh?

It’s extremely difficult, because the story starts at the age of 55. It was difficult to get into their mindset. How do you experience those years that you have not lived? They have lived life for 30 more years than us, how do you go through the experience of being a mother or grandmother, just how mature you become with age? It’s difficult to bring that in the character

and that is the most challenging part. You can work the body language and makeup, but you can’t work the mindset. That’s something you have to do on your own. These dadis have positivity and a spirit to live life.

In Bala, you play a dusky girl. Is it challenging to make sure you give out a social message in a comedy, and do you feel it might go haywire, too?

I think there is a thin line in everything that you pick up which is not run-of-the-mill. You have to be extremely sensitive when you are speaking of human complexes.

So, it could be me gaining weight in Dum Laga Ke Haisha or ageing for Saand ki Aankh, or it could be what I have done in Bala. As an actor, I feel as far as a character is not propagating the negativity attached to certain aspects of society, and is actually trying to clear that out, I would get on board. There are always two sides to a coin, but be it balding or skin colour – everything has been dealt with a lot of sensitivity. At the end of it, it’s the makers’ prerogative as to what their vision is for the film. As an actor, there’s only so much that I can do.

PHOTO: AFP Bhumi Pednekar