Now a days the audience is open to stories that they can relate to: Bhumi Pednekar

Known for her versatile on-screen performance, the talented Bhumi Pednekar has established herself as a prominent actor who can be called the filmmakers’ preferred choice of powerful roles.

From her first movie to now, Bhumi’s journey has been extraordinary and has ensured she leaves a mark in the minds of the viewers with her varied roles. Adding another feather to her hat is the role of the shooter dadi, Chandro Tomar in Saand Ki Aankh.

Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, the movie narrates the inspiring story of two of the world’s oldest female sharpshooters who defied ageism and
took up sharpshooting in their 60s. The movie also features Taapsee Pannu who plays the role of Prakashi Tomar.

Elaborating about her experience on playing another path breaking role, Bhumi Pednekar on occasion of the &pictures premiere on 30 th May at 8 pm says:

The role you play in the movie is of a 60-year-old dadi who develops a liking towards and finds a hobby in shooting. How easy or difficult was it to understand the character and then portray it on screen?
This character no doubt came with its own set of challenges, the beauty however of it was in the fact that it was a fruitful role – something that was in a way inspirational. The character of Chandro demanded for a particular body language, language and a very different mindset. Imagine you are at an age when you have lived most of your life and now are at that stage when you want to rest.

But these shooter dadis at this age have found a new meaning to life and are now trying to give that experience to their children and grandchildren. So, while dealing with everything else was technical and something both Taapsee and I had to do, getting into the dadis mindsets was what needed the most work.

How does one get that life experience of becoming a wife, then a mother and a grandmother and feel every emotion of the kind of life they have lived? – that was the actual challenge.

What was your prep like?
We spent a lot of time with the dadis. That was when we learnt the kind of life they lived, did the work they did – right from looking after the home to working in the fields. We even spent time in the brick factories in order to understand their lives.

What actually needed a lot of attention was living under the ghungat and getting used to their attire to the extent that it almost becomes your second skin. The dadis did all their daily work in that attire and while it was one of the many details we had to get used to, it was equally important.

Saandh Ki Aankh is an inspiring story no doubt, but if you had to pick one thing about them that has had a lasting impact on you, what would it be?
Prakashi and Chandro Tomar ji’s lives were filled with hardships.

After having spent 60 or even more years under the ghungat they had now started seeing the world. Its not like they were tortured or ill treated and led very normal lives that most women in villages lead.

But what stayed on with me was that despite after leading a happy and wholesome life they were open to change. Their zeal to life, the lingo used to communicate to each other, all of it said that they wanted to live life to the fullest and in its true sense.

Imagine they haven’t stepped out of their village and interacted with their family members but then suddenly, they step out of their comfort zone to travel and represent their nation worldwide. They even learnt English and spoke in complete confidence.

Your journey so far in terms of films has been very different from the journey of any other actress. How would you describe that?
Saandh Ki Aankh is my fifth film and to be honest all the films I have been a part of or the roles I have played are all so different from each other. They may have few overlapping similarities like for example my characters tell the stories of women in the heartlands.

I am proud of the cinema that I have done so far as they are the films that have worked well for me and have helped my connect to my audience. In today’s time the definition of a heroine has undergone change and evolved, nowadays the audience is open to stories that they can relate to.

It need not always be the typical perfect story but even those which are flawed or imperfect that connects with the audience. If I can tell them an honest story or give them a character they can relate to, I have succeeded as an actor. So, while my journey so far has been quite eventful it has also been a good one so far.