In director Pulkit’s hardhitting sophomore feature film Bhakshak, which streams on Netflix from February 9, Bhumi Pednekar brings to life the role of a Patna-based television journalist who blows the lid on a child-abuse racket in a shelter home in Bihar.
Speaking of her compelling portrayal in Bhakshak Bhumi says, “This is probably my best , along with Sonechiraiya. I am trying to do the best work possible,given the restrictions in our cinema where strong roles are hardly written for women. When the director Pulkit who has written the script with his wife, came to me with Bhakshak I was stunned.”
The real incident that happened in the town of Muzaffarpur in Bihar was of course known to Bhumi. “I had read about the mass abuse of underage girls in Bihar. But after I came on board for Bhakshak I read up more details, they are in the public domain. It was horrifying beyond words. And it continues. It recently happened in Thane.We wish Bhakshak would create more public awareness about child abuse.”
The actress who has over the past five years acquired a reputation for quality cinema is all praise for her director. “I like working with new directors. They are filled with enthusiasm passion and dedication. The way Pulkit has shot Bhakshak, the production design and technical finesse…it is mindblowing.”
Bhumi reveals that many real-life names had to be changed. “Sadly we had to change some of the place names and names of real persons for legal reasons. The place where the gruesome crime happens in a shelter home is ‘Munnawarpur’ Do you know we didn’t shoot the film in Patna and Bihar. We shot it mainly in Lucknow.”
