Bhumi On Her Spectacular Year

2019 has been  a year of tremendous  success  for Bhumi. “I started  the year with Sonechiriyawhich  may not have shown (boxoffice) numbers. But the  kind of acclaim the  film and my performance  got at film festivals across the world was  very gratifying. I will always be proud  of  Sonechiriya.”

Ditto Sand Ki Aaankh, Bala and even  Pati Patni Aur Woh. “I am  proud of all my films. Saand KiAankh is  special  not only  because  it was such an inspiring story and one that gave me  a chance to play a woman much older than  my real  age, but also  because it gave me a  friend in TaapseePannu.”

It is  amazing how two actresses vying for  the same kind of roles have hit it  off so well.

Bhumi too sees the friendship as an unexpected  bonus of doing Saand Ki Aankh. “The whole team  was lovely.  The  director  Tushar Hiranandani  came  from a hardcore commercial cinema, and here he  was directing a  film that was  highly inspirational. I fell  in  love with the  script  immediately.”

For her role in  her debut film Bhumi had put on  multiple kilos  to fit into  the  role of a plump woman. She’s game for physical transformations. “I’d do it again if the role demands. In fact  for Saand Ki Aankh I had to put on 15 kgs  to look convincing as a  65-year old woman.I don’t think physical transformations are that  hard to achieve.”

In her other highly acclaimed  role of the year in Bala, Bhumi was severely criticized for  colouring herself dark to play a dark-skinned woman. Taking a deep breath Bhumi explains, “I will say only this about  the colour of my skin in Bala. The way my character Latika  looked  was entirely the  director  Amar Kaushik’s  decision.Amar is  a  filmmaker who knows his mind and I  knew he would never do anything he didn’t believe  in . I trusted  his judgment completely and I’m so glad that  I did. There is  so much more to my character in Bala than the skin colour. Her  journey as a  human being and a  woman is  so fascinating. I am glad I played Latika.”

Speaking  of  Bala, Bhumi is full of praise  for her co-star. “Yami Gautam just killed  it. She was  absolutely fantastic in her difficult role. I am so proud of her and this  film.”

Bhumi is also  happy she did the  ambivalently-received comedy Pati PatniAur Woh  in 2019. “I can’t  only be  doing  films that  go to film festival. It was  light and it  was  fun.And people have loved it. I am so proud of what Kartik Aryan has  achieved. Like me and Taapsee he is from outside the industry. He has  found  stardom on his own strength.”

 Bhumi sees a movement happening across  the  film industry. “So many of us have come in with our own  individual  take on acting. Whether  it is Ayushmann , Vicky, Taapsee , Ananya, Kartikor me…we’ve our own  way of expressing ourselves  on  screen.”

2019 was a  deeply  satisfying year  for  Bhumi. 2020 promises to be no different. “I first have Bhoot coming up.I always  dreamt  of being part  of a  Karan  Johar film . I’m glad I’m part of this anthology.”

 Another  film Bhumi is looking forward to  in 2020 is Alankrita Shrivastava’s Dolly  Kitty AurWoh Chamakte Sitare .  “It’s been a  joy sharing screen space  with Koko(Konkona Sen Sharma). The film has been to  film festivals across  the world and  has made a name  for itself. Now I’m waiting for  it to release in India.”

 These apart, Bhumi is  now looking at several projects. “I am giving  myself some  breathing space. I  am reading all the scripts that are coming to me. But I am taking my time in signing a  new film.Whatever  I do take up next it would have to take me somewhere I haven’t been so far. That’s  a pre-condition.”