Bhumi Pednekar was informed that she didn’t appear conventionally attractive: My final film since I made my Bollywood debut would be…
In her most recent Instagram post, Bhumi Pednekar talked about how people told her she didn't look like the "conventionally beautiful leading lady."
At the actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s Mumbai wedding reception in February 2023, Bhumi Pednekar made an appearance.
Bhumi Pednekar praised Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s “bold” Pepsi commercial on Instagram for defying expectations and criticising people who doubt women’s decisions over what they wear, when they get married, and other matters. The actor talked about how she was continually informed that she couldn’t “succeed as a leading star” as she looked back on her own film career. Bhumi also recounted the comments that were frequently made to her, such as “you don’t look like a conventionally beautiful leading lady” and “your debut would be your last film.”
Bhumi is recognised for making films that tackle societal taboos and stigmas and has brought attention to social problems and women’s issues via her films, starting with her debut film Dum Lagake Haisa (2015) and continuing with films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), and Badhaai Do (2022). She discussed how she was advised to play it safe and avoid using her platform on Instagram to advocate for causes.
“If I had a penny for every time I was told how the deck was stacked against me to succeed as a leading star…,” Bhumi wrote. I was told everything, including that my first movie would be my last because I played an overweight heroine, that I should play it safe and avoid promoting causes in films because I would be perceived as a niche figure, that I didn’t look like the conventionally attractive leading ladies who have graced our cinema, and that my chances were practically nonexistent.
I refused to let sceptics cast doubt on my worth, she said. I broke the rules and prejudices. I took the decision to rise beyond the rules and preconceptions that are bound to women. So all I have to say to other women is “you do you” or “tu tera kar”! Congratulations to the @pepsiindia team and one of my personal fave performers, @samantharuthprabhuoffl, for creating such a relevant and daring advertisement. Much success to you.
Bhumi was chosen to serve as the UNDP’s first National Advocate earlier this year. Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi last appeared together in the movie Bheed. Bheed, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is a fictitious movie that takes place in India in the year 2020 during the Covid-19 shutdown. Dia Mirza, Ashutosh Rana, Pankaj Kapur, and Kritika Kamra all have significant parts in the film.
