11 February,2026 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bhumi Pednekkar; Ranveer Singh
Before stepping into the spotlight, Bhumi Pednekkar quietly honed her craft behind the camera as a casting director at Yash Raj Films. Working closely with the studio, she witnessed and evaluated auditions of some of the industry's biggest stars, which shaped her nuanced approach to acting. In a recent conversation on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, the actress opened up about Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, and other actors auditioning, describing it as a surreal experience.
Recalling her formative years at Yash Raj Films, Bhumi Pednekar opened up about working closely with the casting team and being directly involved in shaping debut performances, including that of Ranveer Singh.
She stated, "My experience there was incredible. It was like a corporate job infused with a lot of creativity, and I had an absolute blast. I was an integral part of Ranveer's casting process. If you see his audition BTS on YouTube, I'm the one cueing him for Band Baaja Baarat - the scene where he and Anushka fight over a colour during the wedding sequence."
Recalling her first impression of Ranveer Singh, Bhumi described his presence as instantly arresting. "I think he was just high on himself," she said, adding that the energy in the room shifted the moment he walked in. "You'd think - he's a newcomer coming in for an audition; where does that chutzpah come from?" She remembered him vividly in a white shirt and blue jeans, calling him unique, supremely talented, and unlike anyone she had seen before. Declaring herself a "big Ranveer Singh fan", Bhumi praised his evolution as an actor, particularly post '83 and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. "I thoroughly enjoyed him in Dhurandhar - I was like, this guy can do anything. I loved him in Lootera. He's as much a chameleon as any actor should be."
Recalling her other finds, the actress shares how she took Pankaj Tripathi, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal's auditions.
Reflecting on the most influential mentor of her career, Bhumi Pednekar spoke candidly about Aditya Chopra's impact on her life and work. "I don't think there has been any other authoritative figure in my life apart from him. He was my first boss, and that eventually turned into a mentorship. He is a genius and a visionary - he was doing shows even before OTT came into the picture. He's chill, he has clarity, and he's inclusive. What keeps his genius alive is the fact that he remains disconnected. The entire YRF institution operates from a place of abundance."
