‘I WANT TO BE A MASSY ACTOR’
Fresh off two back-to-back hits, actor Bhumi Pednekar says she is “critical” of her work and that she has always trusted her sensibilities
Bhumi Pednekar made people sit up and take notice of her talent when she played the unconventional part of an overweight girl in her debut film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (DLKH; 2015). She has starred in two films since then, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (TEPK) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (SMS), and has maintained her spotless track record of hit films. “I’m celebrating the successes, but I’m already thinking about what’s next,” says Bhumi, as she talks about life, her career, and more.
What’s your state of mind?
I am very happy and overwhelmed. It feels good to know that your instincts worked. Be it TEPK or SMS, I followed my gut while choosing them. When these films came my way, I didn’t know which actors were going to be a part of them. I don’t have any way to measure a film except by the script and the vibe that I get from the director and writer. I come from a family that isn’t into films, so I don’t have a formula for what’s right and what’s wrong. Be it as a casting assistant or an actor, I’ve always trusted my sensibilities.
You have had three consecutive hits that were also critically acclaimed. Does that give you confidence?
I think I am a little weird. Even after DLKH, I wondered if this was a fluke and if I could do it again. Acting is my calling, but I don’t feel I will ever be happy with my work. I worry about whether I am doing the right thing or not, and so I also get very critical of my work. But now, I feel that I have confidence, as I feel there is a place for me in the industry.
Do you feel at home now, or are you still finding your feet in the industry?
I’ve worked with Adi sir’s (Aditya Chopra) production house, so I already felt secure and at home. The dynamics have changed now, but I was lucky to be associated with so many good people at the young age of 17-18 [as the casting assistant]. I don’t know a lot of people within the fraternity, but I am sure I will with time. Even the kind of offers that I’ve got has made me secure. Early in your career, you don’t have a choice, but God has been kind. I’ve got great offers and earned so much credibility because of that one film (DLKH). It’s a good time for an actor like me.
Many feel that you are a massy heroine...
I love that tag. I represent 70% of Indians and that is a responsibility. People ask me if I want to do a commercial film, but what’s a commercial film? A film that earns money, right? All three of my films have earned money. The concept of commercial films has changed; people love films with content and such films are earning money. I would love to be a massy heroine, like Akshay Kumar, who gets so much love. A lot of people feel that you are a massy actor if you speak good Hindi. We have to break that perception. There is a stereotype that if you wear Indian attire then you must be regressive and not cool, but that is wrong. My clothes don’t decide what kind of person I am.
Acting is my calling, but I don’t feel I will ever be happy with my work. I worry about whether I am doing the right thing or not. BHUMI PEDNEKAR, ACTOR
You’ve played small town girls in your three films, and there’s a tendency in the industry to typecast actors. Are you afraid?
Honestly, the only time I feared being typecast was after DLKH. I was scared as I thought all the roles featuring overweight girls will come to me. But surprisingly, they didn’t. As long as I am able to differentiate between my characters, I don’t think I can be typecast. I am representing 70% of Indians, so I have 70% of their stories to tell. But yes, as an actor, you should keep reinventing yourself. Also, the security of not getting typecast comes from the fact that in my real life, I am an urban girl. So, playing a village girl is challenging as I don’t have a small town connect. I’ve to put in effort and that gives me thrill and excitement.
At the same time, do you feel typecasting is dying a slow death?
Yes, it is coming to an end. Actors like Alia (Bhatt) or Deepika (Padukone) have started switching. They are looking for stories which have content. If that kind of thinking is slowly penetrating our industry, the concept of typecasting will vanish. But if I feel my performances are becoming repetitive, I will take a break and disconnect from the girl-next-door image.
Do you still get nervous pangs?
I am not insecure about my place. I was always scared that one day, I will look at myself and say, “you have done a mediocre job.” Maybe, I am being too tough on myself, but how else do I keep myself going, and motivate myself to do better. Now, with the kind of reviews I have got, I feel I have maintained my benchmark of DLKH.
But of late, female actors are getting to do amazing work.
I feel being comfortable in this industry is the scariest thing. I want to work even after I’m 40. Films such as Mom or a Lipstick Under My Burkha makes me very happy. Now, female characters are being written for every age group. When I look at Shabana Azmi ma’am, who is still a working actor, I feel great as that is the kind of place I want to be in.
Like many others, do you also want to play ultra-glam roles?
I grew up listening to ‘Tip tip barsa paani’ (from Mohra; 1994) and I used to dance to it every time it played (laughs). I want do those kinds of films too. But I strongly feel that the audience has become smart — and thank god for that — because only then will we be able to make good cinema. So, I want to do glamorous but sensible films, which are being made. I am very glamorous in real life, but glamour does not mean skin show. Will I do that? It depends on whether there is a reason for it or not.
And what about competition?
From the start, I’ve lived in my own world, and a major reason is that I didn’t know many people in the industry. Whoever I knew such as Sharat Katariya (director of DLKH) and others at Adi sir’s production house had similar sensibilities. I’ve been born and brought up in Mumbai, so I’ve friends and family here. So, I get disconnected and that’s great as I get to meet different people.
Do you look at other people’s work or what are they up to?
As an actor, you cannot isolate yourself. So, I get really happy seeing other actors’ work. For instance, I really like Alia as she is doing great work. I also feel that there’s work for everyone in this huge industry. I believe in healthy competition. I also don’t keep a tab on others because I don’t read papers or gossip columns. I’m happy in my own life with my family and friends. So, life is quite packed.
I want to do glamorous but sensible films. I am very glamorous in real life, but glamour does not mean skin show. BHUMI PEDNEKAR, ACTOR