The trailer of Bhumi Pednekar’s film ‘Bhakshak’ has been released. Bhumi is playing the role of a journalist in this film to be streamed on Netflix. Bhumi is very happy about this character of hers, because after ‘Thank You for Coming’, she is returning once again with a character which is inspired from real life. Bhumi likes to do such characters. During this trailer launch, we asked Bhumi some questions about her film and along with her answers, she gave us information about ‘Bhakshak’.
Before coming into this industry, when you saw a female reporter working, what was your impression of her? After seeing him, did you ever think that you too should become a journalist?
I have always had respect for journalists. Journalists are the fourth pillar of democracy. I was aware of these things even before becoming an actress. I had never thought of becoming a journalist. But the kind of person I am, I am always aware of what is happening in my society. And the things and issues that bother me, I talk about them through my art, that is, through my films. For this film also I have got inspiration from journalists like you. We have done a lot of research on this, we have talked to many journalists. This is the story of a female journalist who has been made strong not by society but by her passion and courage.
Have you taken inspiration from anyone while playing the character of a journalist?
During the shooting of this film, for the first time Pulkit (director of the film) introduced me to the world of journalists working in small towns. I didn’t know about them at all. It was a new world for me. There are no big set ups for them, no big resources. They only have their passion and they move with this passion. They move forward with only one thought that they should not hold back from asking the right questions. I have taken inspiration from all those journalists.
You have talked about human trafficking in this film, did you get a chance to meet the victims during the shooting of this film?
We talked to some victims but we don’t talk much about it because we can’t reveal their identities. But I can tell you that when I was shooting ‘Sonchiriya’, I had adopted an ashram in Chambal. If you remember, there was a girl in Sonchiriya, whose name is Khushi and she is also from this ashram. That’s why this film is very personal for me. I have been working alone in this field for the last 5 years i.e. since 2017. Now such stories have become a part of my life. I have heard many other stories during the shooting of the film, after listening to which we used to get moist. Because society is made up of us and knowingly or unknowingly we all are part of this problem. Sometimes I couldn’t even read about it. This film will take you closer to the truth and then you will ask yourself questions.
Every month such news comes in the newspaper and we read them and move ahead. But we forget that this news is the story of someone’s life. This also happens with those children who have no one behind them. We are trying to talk about this topic through the film ‘Bhakshak’.
Why was this film not released in theatres? Are women-oriented films limited to OTT?
When we’eater‘When we started shooting, we did not think that this film was going to be released on OTT. And I believe that now there is no difference whether it is an OTT film or a theater film. But I have noticed one thing that the films which we all liked, you have given good reviews to them and yet people did not even come to the theater to watch those films. Until people change their thinking, we cannot do anything. Good films are today called ‘flops’. You people (media) also give love, but the word ‘flop’ is also used by you. Till now no solution has been found. So the good thing is that we have platforms like Netflix, through which we can present good stories.
Will you be seen once again with Sanjay Mishra in this film? What do you learn whenever such veteran actors come onboard?
I consider Sanjay ji as my lucky charm. Whenever he is with me, our chemistry shines brightly. He is such an actor with whom one gets to learn something every moment. Sanjay ji keeps the box of his knowledge open in front of me, so that I can take as much knowledge as I want. Many times actors think about their character but Sanjay ji thinks about the film. Even in this serious film of ours, there are some scenes which bring a smile on your face and those scenes are between Sanjay ji and me.
From ‘Dum Lagake Haisha’ to ‘Bhaksak’, you have never played the role of a poor girl, you have always been seen in a strong character. But when it comes to raising voice about the wrong things happening in the society, you and all the Bollywood actors avoid saying such things. Why so ?
I would like to answer your first question first. I have been active in the industry for so many years and such ‘hard hitting’ roles automatically come to me and I like to do such characters. And as far as raising my voice is concerned, I cannot speak for others. But if I talk about myself, I present my thoughts and ideas to the society not through words but through my work and my films.
