Bhumi Pednekar, the Bollywood actor known for her versatile roles, spoke at FICCI Frames 2023 about the importance of supporting films that have a message to convey. Pednekar, who has played a range of characters from an overweight teacher in her debut film “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” to a closeted lesbian in “Badhaai Do,” believes that it is crucial for artists to stand by their beliefs and ensure that their art resonates with the times we live in.
According to Pednekar, the quintessential Hindi film actor has undergone a change over the years, and it is essential to support films that have more to say beyond entertainment. She cited the example of Abhishek Chaubey’s dacoit drama “Sonchiriya” and said that the length of a role does not matter as long as she is part of an interesting story. “I’ve actually experienced it with a film like ‘Sonchiriya’ when I entered it at the 45th minute. Everybody was like, ‘Why would you do this film? There are like 11 male actors,’ and I literally had nine scenes in the film. But, there was just something about working with that director or being a part of that story. I saw an opportunity,” she said.
Pednekar also spoke about the process of gaining weight for her debut film “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” and the stigma surrounding weight gain. She said that people often came up to her and asked, “Is everything okay at home? Are you unhappy?” She believes that there is a lot of stigma attached to the way one looks globally and that it is essential to channel that energy into one’s work.
Pednekar also spoke about her role in the Akshay Kumar-starrer “Toilet: Ek Prem Katha,” which she described as a “re-debut.” She witnessed a “change in mindset” after the film’s release. “We had all government agencies try their best with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. When ‘Toilet’ came out, we saw that change in mindset. It was played in every little village, and when people saw it, they thought, ‘It’s my right to have access to sanitisation, good sanitary health’. We’re very proud that post the film, we saw such a massive change, and it was globally celebrated. That was the first time I realized the power of cinema, (that) it can influence a large number of people,” Pednekar added.
In conclusion, Bhumi Pednekar’s words highlight the importance of standing by one’s beliefs and supporting films that have a message to convey. She believes that artists have a responsibility to ensure that their art resonates with the times we live in and has the power to influence a large number of people. Her words are a reminder that cinema can be a powerful tool for change and that it is crucial to support films that have a positive impact on society.