Bhumi Pednekar and Ayushmann Khurrana in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
Bhumi Pednekar played a plus-sized woman opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
When Bhumi Pednekar made her Bollywood debut in the 2015 film Dum Laga Ke Haisha, she portrayed the role of a plus-size girl to perfection. Acting alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, who was already an established name in the industry, Bhumi faced reactions from people surprised to see someone outside the conventional beauty standards in a leading role.
In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Bhumi opened up on how people would react to her during those days. She said, “During Dum Laga Ke Haisha when Ayushmann and I would travel. Flight mein hote the (We would be in a flight) so people would say ‘arre Ayushmann! heroine kaun hai (Hey Ayushmann. Who is the heroine?) and I would be behind him. He would very sweetly look towards me. People would be in shock that ye heroine hai? (She is the heroine?) And I would be like see this is why this film is so important for me.”
Bhumi has consistently take up a variety of roles in her films, delving into women-centric narratives such as Saand Ki Aankh, socially relevant films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Bheed, as well as mystery thrillers like Afwaah. She wants to change how people see female actors and open new opportunities for everyone. Bhumi knows she might not get some roles because she doesn’t meet traditional standards, but she’s determined to keep going.
“See because of the choices and the films that I have done there are certain kinds of films that come my way. I am sure that there have been conversations and I am also aware of them where may be a film didn’t come my way because they just thought that I don’t look like a traditional, conventional heroine. But my point is that I am going to change that narrative, I am going to change the definition of what your conventional heroine is going to be and that’s what keeps me going and I am like ‘it’s ok’,” she said.
Bhumi will next be seen in The Lady Killer.
