I enjoy doing social dramas, I like my work having an impact
Basking in the success of her latest OTT release Bhakshak, actor Bhumi Pednekar is overwhelmed to see the film getting a “thrilling” response. She says, “It’s been an amazing experience as it travelled globally, too.” Recalling the response to her debut, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), which recently completed nine years, the 34-year-old adds that she’s feeling the same frenzy she experienced with her first film: “Both films had a different impact, [but I’ve received] universal love. That’s the beauty of art.”
Having done several socially relevant films such as Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan (both 2017) and Badhai Do (2022), Pednekar believes this is “not a bad box (doing films with a message) to be in”. “I enjoy doing social dramas. It’s about the choices I make and not only what comes my way. I like my work having an impact. Even if my film doesn’t have a strong social message, my character will be empowered,” she says. The Thank You For Coming (2023) actor recently starred in back-to-back releases that were poles apart. She shares an interesting anecdote: “The funny thing is that I immediately started shooting for Thank You... after finishing Bhakshak and it healed my state of mind, as it (the latter) was a heavy and dark experience. If it wasn’t for the comedy chick flick, it would’ve taken me more time to come out of it.”
Pednekar has been making a “conscious choice” to strike a balance between her OTT and theatrical releases. “For me, both the mediums are extremely important. There are certain films that need a digital release, where it can be released with care, and judged on how good the content is,” she wraps up.