It’s time to get back to work: Bhumi
With two big films getting theatrical releases on Diwali and Christmas, shoots of TV and web projects resuming, the entertainment industry is crawling back to normalcy. Bhumi Pednekar, who has also been away from a film set like most actors, feels the time has come to step out to work, albeit cautiously.
“The fact is that people have to earn a living...I get there’s a fear of contracting the virus, but if experts feel it’s time to go back to work, it is time. As individuals, we should put in as much money into the economy as possible. Also, help others. If I’m somebody who can support an X number of families, I should do it,” says the actor, who has films such as Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Durgavati lined up.
Pednekar, 30, feels adapting to the current situation will be the key, adding, “Whatever the ‘new normal’ world is going to be like, we’ll figure it out.”
A significant change the industry has seen is the trend of films being released on OTT platforms. Pednekar, however, believes a film’s narrative is what will decide whether it is suitable for a digital or theatrical release. She adds, “There are some films that are meant for theatrical releases and others can (release digitally). It all depends on the film’s narrative and what’s the right platform it requires.”
The actor also feels the gap between theatres and web is reducing. “It was seen even before the pandemic,” she says, adding, “In the West, direct-to-OTT release has been happening. You have the best of talents working on these projects, so it’ll start happening here as well.”
Would she, then, be okay with her films releasing straight on the web? “I don’t have an opinion about that,” she asserts, adding, “As an actor, I just want most number of people to watch my films. It’s the discretion of a producer more than anyone else. They decide what’s best for their movie.”