We need to love and nurture our daughters, feels Bhumi Pednekar
Inspired by her upcoming film Saand Ki Aankh, Bhumi Pednekar has voiced her concerns about the inequalities women continue to face. She also hopes that her film — based on the story of two of the world’s oldest women sharpshooters — will bring a positive change to society. Saand Ki Aankh follows the story of Chandro and Prakashi Tomar from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, who took up shooting in their 60s.
Despite the world slowly waking up to the gender-based injustice and oppression, Bhumi, who plays Chandro in the film, feels that inequality towards women is still a big reality. “I hope, through our film and through the inspiring dadis we can bring about some change in the way people think. We need to celebrate our daughters. Love them, nurture them and let them shine,” she says.
The Sonchiriya actor adds, “It’s taken a bunch of bold and courageous women to break those age-old moulds of discrimination, to bring about an evolution of equality in our country. And that’s exactly what the Tomar sisters-in-law did. Unknowingly, they were a part of a system that didn’t give them any opportunities cause the society just didn’t know better, but they didn’t want the same for their daughters and granddaughters,” she says.
The 30-year-old actor is known for her roles in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) and Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) and the web film Lust Stories (2018) — all projects that focused on real women and their problems and desires.
Deeply inspired by Chandro and Prakashi’s journey, Bhumi asserts, “In their 60s, they broke all shackles of patriarchy through a very inspiring and truly overwhelming journey. Laughing, smiling with never a dull moment, they paved the path for a flourished future not just for their girls but for over 50,000 children. Their story is one to be remembered. It’s a roller coaster ride full of tears and laughs.”
It’s taken a bunch of bold women to break age-old moulds of discrimination, to bring about an evolution of equality. And that’s exactly what the Tomar sisters-in-law did. BHUMI PEDNEKAR
ACTOR