Acting with purpose, Bhumi Satish Pednekkar

The atmosphere on set is warm and exciting, the subdued clamour of the crew punctuating the air as we capture look after look. Amid this organised chaos is our cover star, Bhumi Satish Pednekkar, visibly enjoying herself in JJ Valaya couture that makes her shine. “Bridal couture carries a kind of magic that’s hard to describe. The craftsmanship, the grandeur, the textures, the theatre of it all...” she gushes. 

“Every look felt like stepping into a different story, a different mood. Although, a moment that stayed with me was seeing myself in the mirror for the first time in one of the heavier outfits. There was an unmistakable shift in posture, in energy. Even though it’s for a shoot, I realise that bridal couture evokes this quiet sense of celebration. It reminded me how much artistry goes into creating bridal couture in India. It’s our cultural legacy.” 

Does she picture her own wedding when trying on bridalwear, we wonder. “In broad strokes, not specifics” comes her answer. For her “big day,” Bhumi veers the intimate way, not one to dream about a huge spectacle. 

“I imagine something warm, emotional, and deeply personal. Lots of laughter, lots of love, surrounded only by people who truly matter. I’d want the day to feel like ‘me,’ not like a performance.”

The lesser-known Bhumi 

Behind the confident, outspoken Bhumi we know and love is a quieter, introspective woman who’s “deeply shy and very goofy” — a far cry from the often intense characters we find her portraying on screen. 

“I think people often assume I’m this serious, unapproachable person because of my choice of films, or the intensity I sometimes project,” she reflects. “But truly, I’m playful, emotional, and soft! I’m the kind of person who laughs loudly, cries easily, and loves deeply. I think I’m most misunderstood when it comes to how sensitive I actually am.” 
Fiercely protective of her mental space today, Bhumi has learnt to consciously carve out time for much-needed downtime, to be able to navigate the highs and lows, the wins and losses. With early call times, late packups, and a roller-coaster roster of shooting, appearances, brand endorsements, and the like, she takes a breather when her body asks for it.

“I disconnect from the noise when I find myself getting too entangled in external opinions,” she muses. 
Bhumi finds her grounding force in her family, and in her dogs, therapy. Travel resets her system, allowing her to step away from the mayhem and give her perspective, while reading, meditating, and journaling are small rituals that help the actor stay connected to herself. 

“As for self-doubt, I’ve realised it’s part of being an artist. It used to paralyse me, but now it pushes me,” she smiles. “Whenever I question myself, I come back to the simple truth that I love acting. I love being on a set. I love the magic that happens between ‘action’ and ‘cut.’ That love, and my hunger to grow, keeps me moving through even the most difficult moments.”

“I love being on a set. I love the magic that happens between ‘action’ and ‘cut’”

Finding purpose 

Bhumi Satish Pednekkar certainly stands a class apart. Having made her way up from a casting assistant to one of Bollywood’s most compelling leading ladies, she boasts an incredibly diverse filmography that shifts seamlessly between mainstream movies to socially resonant meaningful cinema, portraying women with grit and gumption in stories that spark conversation. 

“For the longest time, I let my instincts guide me, which led to some beautiful, brave choices. But now, I’m far more attuned to what I want to say as an artist,” she asserts. “I’m not interested in doing work just for visibility or momentum. I want to participate in cinema that pushes conversations, that expands what Indian female characters can feel like, that gives the audience a new emotional experience.” 

At this point in her career, Bhumi is less inclined to prove herself, more towards refining herself. She’s reading more scripts, saying “no” far more often, and gravitating towards filmmakers who are fearless about experimenting. 

“Today, there’s clarity in my choices that I didn’t have in my early years. Creatively, I’m shedding old versions of myself to make space for newer, riskier, more interesting ones.” 

From her breakout debut in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, followed by layered acts in Saand Ki Aankh, Badhaai Do, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, and Sonchiriya, Bhumi is arguably one of Hindi cinema’s more purposeful performers today. Bhakshak, in particular, was a transformative project, she says. 

“When a film forces you to confront the darkest parts of society, it inevitably alters you. Vaishali wasn’t just a character I played; she became a reminder of why art matters. I understood the impact of responsibility: when you tell a story that carries weight, you owe it honesty, integrity, and emotional courage.”

When asked about moments that may have helped shape her craft, our cover star introspects on the past two years of her life, sharing that they were “an internal turning point navigating successes, setbacks, reinvention, and self-doubt.” 

“I’ve grown more resilient. I’ve become a better listener and observer.” 

“There was a lot of noise when The Royals released, good and bad. But the reach the show gave me, the love I received for it, especially from younger groups and women, is flattering.” 

“It also makes you realise: don’t believe everything the internet has to say. That’s a very closed world, where any and every narrative can be constructed.” 

“I also know the next defining moment is on its way. My career feels like it’s preparing me for a much deeper creative chapter…” 

She’s, perhaps, referring to Daldal, an upcoming project that Bhumi found especially challenging, though she welcomed the test. 

“The script demanded emotional honesty without melodrama. I had to unlearn certain instincts and build the character from a place of quiet pain and resilience. It’s the kind of role that stays with you long after the camera stops rolling,” she shares. “I’ve reached a point where challenge is the only criteria. If a script doesn’t scare or stretch me, I don’t feel compelled to do it. I want to live inside characters that feel layered, imperfect, and human.”

“Today, there’s clarity in my choices. I’m shedding old versions of myself to make space for newer, riskier, more interesting ones”

The clothes horse 

In her debut role in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Bhumi had to put on over 10 kg to portray the character of Sandhya, a confident, intelligent woman who endeared herself to her audiences from the get-go. Playing an “oversized” woman right off the bat was quite the departure from the typical petite female leads in Bollywood, and it set the tone for the kind of roles she’d go on to play. And as transformative as her career choices have been, it’s her journey health-wise that has had just as profound an impact on her today. 

“For a long time, fitness was about performance, looking a certain way, meeting certain expectations. Over time, especially as I learned more about my body, hormones, stress, and recovery, I shifted towards a holistic approach,” she says. “Now, health is not a project; it’s a relationship. I train for function and strength rather than aesthetics. I eat to nourish myself. I listen to my body when it needs rest. I work with experts, but I also trust my intuition.” 

“This shift has changed my confidence, my energy, and my mindset. I feel like I’m finally inhabiting my body from a place of love, not pressure.” 

With her changing body and mindset, there’s been quite a drastic transformation in Bhumi’s style, as well. Her sartorial path — be it on the red carpet or on screen — has mirrored her growing confidence and sense of self. Over time, safe, understated choices gave way to bolder, more sculptural silhouettes. Case in point: her most recent Nikhil Thampi look, complete with bejewelled sleeves and a complementing choker. 

“Earlier, I experimented more, almost as though I was trying to find all the different versions of myself,” she recalls.

“Now, I gravitate towards a clearer visual identity. I love classic tailoring, elevated basics, clean lines, and pieces that have quiet power.”

“My approach to fashion is emotional. I dress based on how I want to feel that day: strong, sensual, soft, or playful… Working with stylists and designers who understand my energy has also helped my style feel more authentic and effortless. Today, fashion isn’t about trends; it’s about intention.”

“Black has always been my comfort colour. It grounds me and gives me a certain confidence”

Down the conscious road 

A vocal proponent of sustainability, Bhumi champions environmental awareness, conscious consumption, and climate action. She blends advocacy with authenticity, often promoting eco-friendly fashion and beauty choices.

“My environmental advocacy isn’t a parallel track — it’s completely interwoven with who I am,” she explains. “I gravitate towards designers who prioritise craftsmanship, longevity, and ethical practices; I repeat pieces, and choose materials consciously. I’ve also shifted to a cleaner, more mindful beauty routine.”

“For me, sustainability is not just about making better choices for the planet — it’s also for my own legacy.”

Speaking of legacy, if there was one piece of advice she could give her younger self, it’d be this: “You don’t need to mold yourself to fit anyone’s expectations. Your individuality is your biggest strength. Don’t be afraid of taking the long road; you’re not in a race. Protect your peace. Choose people and projects that honour your spirit.”

“Most importantly, remember you have the right to evolve. There will be highs and lows, applause and silence, breakthroughs and heartbreaks. Every phase will shape you into the artist you’re meant to become. Trust your gut. Trust your compassion. Trust your voice. It will always lead you home…”

Credits

Editor in chief: Ruchika Mehta (@ruchikamehta05)
Interview: Shraddha Chowdhury (@shraddha.skc)
Photographer: Taras Taraporvala (@taras84)
Creative Direction: Avantikka Kilachand Raju (@avantikkak)
Styling: Yukti Sodha (@yuktisodha)
Assistant Stylist: Anushree Sardesai (@anushree_sardesai)
Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)
Hair Artist: Madhav Trehan (@hairstylist_madhav2.0)
Makeup Artist: Niccky Rajaanie (@niccky_rajaanie)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Set Design: Janhavi Patwardhan (@artnut_j)
Artist Reputation Management: Communiqué Film Pr (@communiquefilmpr)

Bhumi is wearing an almond-ivory and maroon lehenga set from the East collection by JJ Valaya (@jjvalaya); Jewellery, maang tikka by Tribe by Amrapali (@tribebyamrapali); bangles by Ritika Sachdeva (@sachdeva.ritika), Tribe by Amrapali, and PC Totuka & Sons (@pctandsons); rings by Golecha’s Jewels (@golecha_jewels) and PC Totuka & Sons; Shoes: Inochhi (@inochhiofficial); Trunk: Courrier Lozine 110 by Louis Vuitton (@louisvuitton).