From winning hearts in her debut to breaking norms on screen, Bhumi Pednekar’s journey is a reel of fearless, feel-real performances.
Bhumi Pednekar, known for playing fierce and fearless small-town women, turns 36 today. She made a striking debut with ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ in 2015, winning hearts with her raw and real performance. Since then, she’s chosen roles that break away from the usual, bringing fresh stories to the big screen. From big-budget hits to films giving social message, Bhumi has proved her range and courage as an actor. On her birthday, let’s look back at some of her most powerful performances!
Bhumi Pednekar made her impressive debut in the romantic comedy-drama ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, directed by Sharat Katariya. She delivered a heartfelt performance as an overweight woman grappling with societal expectations and challenges in her marriage. The film earned five nominations at the 61st Filmfare Awards, with Pednekar winning Best Female Debut.
Directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, ‘Badhaai Do’ is a comedy-drama and the spiritual successor to ‘Badhaai Ho’. The film centers on a couple in a lavender marriage, portrayed by Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar. Bhumi showcased her ability to portray vulnerability with remarkable ease, earning her the Best Actress (Critics) award at the 68th Filmfare Awards.
‘Saand Ki Aankh’ is a biographical drama directed by Tushar Hiranandani, featuring Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, and Vineet Kumar Singh. The film brings to life the remarkable journey of sharpshooters Chandro and Prakashi Tomar. Bhumi took on the challenging role of Chandro Tomar, a 60-year-old sharpshooter, undergoing a striking physical transformation and mastering the art of shooting—an effort that earned her widespread acclaim.
‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ is a romantic comedy directed by R. S. Prasanna, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar. A remake of Prasanna’s Tamil film ‘Kalyana Samayal Saadham’, the story follows Mudit Sharma as he navigates the complications of erectile dysfunction before his wedding. Bhumi plays Sugandha Joshi, his supportive fiancée, delivering a balanced mix of sensitivity and humour. Her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the 63rd Filmfare Awards.
‘Afwaah’ is a mystery thriller written and directed by Sudhir Mishra, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar, Sharib Hashmi, Sumit Kaul, and Sumeet Vyas. In the film, Bhumi portrays Nivedita—a woman determined to escape her dire circumstances. Her performance was both nuanced and effortless, capturing the resilience and urgency of a character refusing to be weighed down by her reality.
