Bhumi Pednekkar has delivered some of the most versatile performances in her career. Be it gaining unreasonable weight for Dum Laga Ke Haisha or playing a shooter dadi in Saandh Ki Aankh. While most of us consider these as her finest performances, she thinks otherwise. During her latest outing on Sit With Hitlist, she opened up about one of her most underrated films, Sonchiriya. She also opened up about her experience working with the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Bhumi Pednekkar about Sonchiriya Talking about her 2019 film, Bhumi shared, “We saw the kind of love that Sushant had. But clearly, that love did not translate to box office numbers at all when the movie came out.” Interestingly, Bhumi calls her role as Indumati Tomar in the film one of her finest performances. She reasons, “I'm so tough on myself as an actor that I don't enjoy anything that I do. But Sonchiriya was probably the only piece of work that I've really deeply enjoyed.” Recalling how she prepared for the role, she revealed that she trained for eight months, walking barefoot on the ground with five gharas of water on her head. She also recalled how the team helped her prepare for the role, saying, “There was a point when I was shooting Sonchiriya, and it was a very male-dominated set, and I was conditioned to feel lesser constantly for the character. And just not to feel safe, and to be like just alert all the time. It took me a very long time to get out of that character but probably one of my best experiences.” Bhumi Pednekkar on Sushant Singh Rajput Further talking about her co-star, Sushant Singh Rajput, she shared, “Also I found a great friend in Sushant there. He was just special. He was unique in many ways. Extremely knowledgeable, very learned, very earnest towards his craft. I've seen the boy physically train himself for the film.” “He was just he was special in many ways, a great co-actor to work with. He gave me so much in every scene because most of my scenes were with him. He gave me so much fodder to feed off. You can do everything, but if you don't have a co-actor that respects you as an actor and who understands that, this probably is your moment in the scene, and you need to have it, and who's not insecure it's a blessing.” Talking about Sushant’s journey, Bhumi says, “He was a pure merit-based actor. Started with television, mainstream television, then middle-of-the-road films and then mainstream films. You don't start at the top. You keep going up,p and he got all those opportunities.”
12 February,2026 12:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBhumi Pednekkar has often spoken about the deep bond she shared with her father and the lasting influence he had on her life. In an exclusive segment on mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, the actress reflected on his political journey, revealing how he stepped away from an active career to prioritise his family soon after she was born. Bhumi Pednekkar recalls her father's early political career Opening up about his early years in public service, Bhumi said, “Dad was a very active politician. I did not see him in that phase of his life because he quit politics right about the time that I came into this world. For personal reasons, he had his own, and so I did not see him in that mould.” She added that his achievements were remarkable for someone so young. “He was also very young when he became a minister; I think he was all of 27 or 28. He was actually one of the youngest ministers in Maharashtra, but I unfortunately did not see him in service.” Despite not witnessing his political career firsthand, Bhumi recognises the dedication it must have required. “But he was an MLA, which means he would have a conscience that he would have nurtured over time. It's not easy to become an MLA, and he was one from Parel, which is a very intense constituency in Mumbai.” The actress also spoke candidly about losing her father at a relatively young age. “I also lost my father many years ago. I was a young adult, when that happened, so I have a fair, good share of memories with him. But I do vicariously kind of peep into that life of his through pictures and through colleagues of his that I meet, and I'm constantly meeting people who worked with him then. He was very, very loved.” When asked whether politics ever appealed to her as a career, Bhumi acknowledged that the spirit of service runs deep in her family. “I just feel like service and giving back, and I say it most humbly, are a very big part of who I am, my upbringing, and the values that have been passed on to us from both sides of my family.” Bhumi Pednekkar reveals how her parents met, and their love story She went on to share a touching detail about her parents’ love story. “My parents actually met at a youth congress gathering. Both my parents were activists. My mom was a journalist; she was studying journalism then, and she was a part of the youth congress in Haryana, and that's how they'd met. I just feel like it's in my blood.” Expressing her strong sense of patriotism, Bhumi added, “I love my country; I have a very big patriotic side to me. if I get an opportunity to serve it in any capacity, why not. I want to do better; I want my country to flourish.” She also believes that her professional choices reflect this intention. “I think even the movies that I do truly do come from that intention, a large part of the cinema that I resonate with or that I've been a part of kind of does come from it; it is my way of also living in a world where I truly hope that my country shines the brightest.” Through her memories, Bhumi painted a heartfelt portrait of a father whose legacy continues to shape her values, ambitions, and enduring commitment to giving back.
12 February,2026 12:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBhumi Pednekkar recently appeared on the latest episode of Sit With Hitlist, and she had some interesting things to share from her life. She got candid about getting thrown out of film school for low attendance, paying her student loan from a Rs 7,000 starting salary, which she received from Yash Raj Films when she joined their casting team and much more. Here’s what she shared… Bhumi Pednekkar reveals her first paycheque Interestingly, Bhumi started her career as a casting director with Yash Raj Films. Recalling her first paycheque, she shares, “Getting a monthly salary of Rs 7,000 rupees when I started, for me was a lot of money. It's a blessing.” When asked what her last salary at YRF was, she revealed, “I think it was a lakh and fifty.” Talking about the job and her condition back then, she shares, “YRF happened to me at a time when I needed grounding and that's why that seven thousand rupees felt like seventy crores. I needed those seven thousand rupees to survive because I wasn't taking any money from home. My father was unwell, there was a lot going on at home, and I just felt like you don't want to add to it.” She reflected back on times she repaid her student loan of Rs 13 lakh, saying, “I had the student loan on me, it was a lot of money. It was 13 lakhs. Rs 4000 would go as my EMI, and the rest would be for my rickshaw, sev poori. I was a teenager, I was a 17-year-old, who could live on Rs 100 a day. I had rich friends, so they took care of me. They were really kind.” Bhumi recalls being thrown out of film school and bagging a job with YRF She reveals, “I was thrown out of film school, Whistling Woods, because my attendance was very poor.” Further sharing how she landed the YRF job, Bhumi recalls, “A friend of mine was the chief AD on Kurbaan and he told me YRF is starting a department, a casting department, because there were no casting directors then. Abhimanyu Ray was literally one of the first few casting directors. YRF was the first large production house or studio that dedicated a department to casting.” Recalling her interview, she shares, “I went and I had a resume that only had likeI had done my A-levels and studying simultaneously but thrown out of film school because of lack of attendance. So that doesn't say a lot about my great personality or my work ethic. I went in for this interview, and I clearly did not impress Abhimanyu sir at all and I did not get the job.” “Then two months after that interview, I got a call from Abhimanyu sir's assistant, and he said, ‘You are needed, you come. Two of the women we had hired have decided that they want to go to America and study. We need you.’ And that's how I landed the job,” she recalls.
12 February,2026 11:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra is truly a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from Bareilly, the desi girl is now ruling globally with her acting prowess. While her graceful presence leaves everyone gushing over her personality, Bhumi Pednekkar has openly confessed to being a long-time admirer. From dancing at her school function as a fan to cherishing personal encounters, the actress reveals what leaves her fawning over her. Bhumi Pednekkar on admiring Priyanka Chopra Bhumi Pednekkar opened up about her long-standing admiration for Priyanka Chopra, emphasising how inspiration can coexist with forging one’s own identity in the industry. In a recent conversation on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, Bhumi gushed, “I have admired and loved her ever since she appeared in movies. I have always been vocal about it, but I’ve also tried to create my own identity. Even if I imbibe certain things from her, she is a great person to draw inspiration from. I’m not ashamed of it, nor am I someone who gets offended. She is truly amazing.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Bhumi also recalled how Priyanka paid attention when she went on to heap praise on her during the MAMI film festival. Bhumi on Priyanka being a guest at her school's annual day For those unversed, Bhumi and Priyanka’s brother Siddharth were in the same school, and during one of the annual day events, the actress was the guest of honour. The Daldal actress shared how PeeCee remembered that moment, and her persona left a lasting impact on her. “She remembered it vividly. There was this gathering in 2019, and when she met me, she was so warm. I was excited, and she said, ‘I will never forget that you stared at me at that annual day and danced for 20 minutes.’ I think when you are a star like her and create this sort of impact, it becomes a learning experience for me. I want to make sure everyone I meet remembers me in the best way possible. That’s the experience she gave me, and I was amazed.” Talking about Priyanka, the diva is all set to make her comeback in Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi. Her first look as Mandakini was unveiled by the makers, and her fierce avatar stole the show. The film also stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role, with Prithviraj Sukumar playing the antagonist.
12 February,2026 11:33 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger and actress Iulia Vantur revealed the best advice she got from her close friend, Salman Khan. Speaking during an exclusive conversation with IANS, Iulia shared that Salman told her to just be herself. When asked about the best advice she got from Salman, Iulia told IANS, "I think the best advice he ever gave me is "Just be yourself, don't do much, just be there and be true to yourself", because that will cross the camera." Revealing what praises she got from Salman for her recent song Tere Sang, she shared, "Of course, he loved the song, and he also posted the song because he loved it. It's a beautiful composition, and the fact that Arijit Singh has lent his voice makes it so much more beautiful and enhances the emotions, enhances the tunes, everything. His voice is magical. So the song cannot be anything other than beautiful." Asked if she would be collaborating with Salman anytime soon, Iulia replied with a "No", followed by a laugh. Explaining the reason, she added, "I love his work. I respect his work. He has left a legacy for all of us. 35 years of beautiful work that has created opportunities for so many actors. But I feel every time he is trying to help someone, sometimes people tend to go against it, and I am not here to take advantage of anybody; I am not here to take advantage of any link. I am here to create beautiful projects with my own creativity and talent. I work on creating my own identity." Recently, Salman revealed that he really enjoyed the soulful composition of Tere Sang. Wishing the entire team of the short film Echoes Of Us starring Iulia, Deepak Tijori, and Spanish actress Alessandra Whelan Merediz, Salman reshared the track on the Stories section of Instagram and penned, "Loved the song Tere Sang a truly soulful composition. Big congratulations to Joe Rajann on his film Echoes of Us, wishing you and the entire team all the success ahead." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 February,2026 11:03 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBhumi Pednekkar has built a reputation for delivering layered and versatile performances, but beyond the screen, the actress often shares fascinating personal anecdotes that offer a glimpse into her life. In an exclusive segment on mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Bhumi opened up about her unexpected family connection to actor Randeep Hooda, revealing that the two are distant cousins with shared roots in Haryana. Bhumi Pednekkar talks about Randeep Hooda being her distant cousin Speaking about the relationship with Randeep Hooda, Bhumi confirmed the long-circulated trivia with warmth and clarity. "We actually are distant; we are connected through my maternal side," she said, adding context to their familial ties. "All Hoodas belong to a certain area in Haryana, and that is how we are related to each other as my mother is Haryanvi, and my maternal family is Hooda." Recalling her earliest memory of the actor, Bhumi shared a nostalgic story from her childhood. "I remember, one of my mamas was getting married, and I was quite young then, not even a teenager, and at that time, Monsoon Wedding had just been released. It was a big deal because he was my mama's friend, and I have a very clear memory of him at that wedding. Randeep is a great actor and what a great film." Bhumi Pednekkar recalls meeting Shah Rukh Khan While much of that evening of meeting Shah Rukh Khan remains hazy to her now, the impression it left was lasting. "A large part of that conversation is a blur, but he invited me, and it was incredible because of just the way he makes you feel, and there was a lot of love in that room and a lot of learning," she reflected. Bhumi also highlighted the qualities that stood out to her the most. "When you meet people who are in places like his, what I am seeking is learning. Because what impresses you is how humble this person is. While he's speaking with you, there could be anybody in his periphery, but he is with you; that's respect, that's character." She further noted that Khan’s reputation for graciousness is well deserved. "We've obviously heard all the legendary stories about how he'll come receive you, how he'll come drop you, and all of that is true." Bhumi even described an amusing moment of hesitation around celebrity etiquette. As she shared how she waited for Shah Rukh Khan to leave and instructed her driver not to move their car till he leaves. As she wasn't sure what was the right etiquette around SRK back then. Through these memories, Bhumi painted a portrait of admiration, not just for a talented actor but for a person whose humility left a lasting mark.
12 February,2026 11:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Mouni Roy called Mahek from Madhur Bhandarkar's The Wives one of the craziest characters she ever got a chance to play. Dropping some photos from the shoot diaries on her official Insta handle, Mouni spilled her emotions through the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) "Wrapped this beautiful film thewives and it’s gonna be one of my most favourite ones in my story book of life. (sic)," she shared. Thanking Bhandarkar for trusting her with the role, she wrote, "Grateful to imbhandarkar sir for trusting me with Mahek, one of the craziest characters I have ever played." Lauding her co-stars Sonali Kulkarni, Regina Cassandra, Rahul Bhatt, Saurabh Sachdeva, Arjan Bajwa, and Freddy Daruvala, the Naagin actress added, "Thank you sir, working with you has been on my bucket list. To my wonderful costars. Thank you for being the kindest loveliest most giving costars. Coming soonly in theatres near you. All love. Only love x." Reacting to the post, the Fashion maker commented, "It was fun working with you, imouniroy...Sure, the role of Mehek will be an eye opener for the audiences and your fans. TheWives." As the team recently wrapped up the shoot for The Wives, Bhandarkar penned a note on social media, saying, "Today marks the wrap-up of my 16th film, TheWives, IntheShadowofStardom an original & captivating story set in the glamorous world of star wives that we have delved into. Bringing this project to life is beyond exciting. Your unwavering support means the world as we completed the principal photography of the film. Endless gratitude to the dedicated actors & technicians who poured their hearts day and night into this project. Thanks to the team of Bhandarkar Entertainment & PJ motion pictures." The Wives has been jointly backed by Bhandarkar Entertainment and PJ Motion Pictures. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 February,2026 10:35 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBhumi Pednekkar has never shied away from speaking her mind, and in a recent conversation, the actress reflected on the evolving culture of film criticism and how audiences today have become far more vocal and judgmental about movies. Sharing her candid thoughts on mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Bhumi expressed concern about the growing noise around reviews and the diminishing space for nuanced critique. “I don't know if there's a lot of critical thinking in the movies today. There's been a big shift in the way people speak of films and critique films. I feel like today everybody is a critic,” she said, pointing to the rapid transformation in how films are evaluated. Bhumi Pednekkar questions the credibility of criticism Bhumi questioned whether all opinions are rooted in a deep understanding of cinema. “I'm not sure whether many critics today come from a sound understanding of cinema. Film is a serious study, at Whistling Woods, we were taught film appreciation as a legitimate course. That grounding matters, whether you're a DOP, actor, or editor. Without it, criticism can become voyeuristic and overly personal, and I feel only a few credible voices remain.” Looking back at the early days of her career, the actress admitted that reviews once held special meaning for her. “When I started, I would wait for reviews, it was such a high for me. The reason I went through my Sonchiriya experience was that I had reviewers that I loved and critics that I loved who even loved the film.” However, she believes the industry’s focus has now shifted heavily toward opening day numbers. “Today, a film's success, the majority of it, is dependent on your Friday, and I don't even know how much of that is real anymore. You've already decided the fate of a film by its opening numbers. When did that happen? When did opening numbers matter?” Bhumi Pednekkar sheds light on harsh social media criticism Elaborating further, Bhumi said, "By critics, everybody is a critic today on the internet." She also addressed the influence of social media, noting how extreme opinions tend to dominate online conversations. The actress appeared particularly concerned about the impact this environment has on smaller films. "I think that the mid-sized and small films were always meant to be word-of-mouth films. All the films that I've done are word-of-mouth films. Rajkumar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana, mine, a lot of our actors, our careers were made because of these word-of-mouth films.” Explaining how the system once worked, she added, “Which means that on a Friday, a film did a smaller number but was accepted. You gave the film an opportunity, and it grows from there. They would stay in theatres for, two weeks or three weeks, and it would do a good number, right, a good number for what that film deserves.” Today, she feels those chances are disappearing. “You don't give a film an opportunity; that's why you have good films. Laapata, for example, that maybe did not get a large number on that Friday, but you've not given that film an opportunity, and that breaks my heart.” Bhumi also spoke about the larger transition the industry is undergoing. “I feel the Hindi film industry is going through a massive transition. If I could make one wish as a member of the fraternity, it would be for us to move away from PR-fuelled narratives. It’s exhausting and often leaves little room for newer voices. Today, there’s this perception that unless a film earns big numbers, it isn’t worth watching. The internet has become the wild, wild west, it’s a crazy space to navigate.”
12 February,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Anupam Kher bumped into his Special 26 co-star Kajal Aggarwal on a flight as he was on his way to Hyderabad. Elated about meeting the self-assured and real actress, Kher revealed that during the meet, they ended up enjoying a great conversation about some exciting topics such as film, food, spa destinations, and Kashmiri-in-laws, which interest both of them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) Taking to his official Instagram handle, Kher uploaded a black and white selfie of the two from the flight, along with a heartfelt note that went, "Met the vivacious and talented Miss. KajalAggarwal on my way to Hyderabad after a long time! We did NeerajPandey’s Special26 together! The conversations in a flight are so much fun. (sic)." "There are no distractions! No mobile phones! No personal staff to distract you. In fact no dark glasses also! She is so sure of herself and so real. Great conversation about films, food, spa destinations, Kashmiri in laws and her beautiful son! Thank you dearest Kajal for all the love, warmth and appreciation! Hamesha Khush raho!" the veteran actor added. Made under the direction of Neeraj Pandey, the 2013 period heist thriller is a cinematic adaptation of the 1987 Opera House heist. The drama revolves around a team of criminals who pose as CBI officers and conduct raids, robbing politicians and businessmen of their black money. However, they have a real CBI officer on their trail as they decide to pull off their biggest heist yet. With Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, and Manoj Bajpayee as the core cast, the project also has Jimmy Sheirgill, Kajal Aggarwal, Rajesh Sharma, Divya Dutta, and Kishor Kadam in supporting roles, along with others. Turning out to be a commercial success at the box office, Special 26 was remade in Tamil as Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, with Suriya playing Akshay Kumar's role. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 February,2026 10:23 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSShe may have no “filmy” background, but Bhumi Pednekkar has carved her own space in the ever-evolving entertainment industry. From Dum Laga Ke Haisha to Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Badhaai Do, the actor has showcased both talent and versatility. In a conversation on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, the actress reveals how Shah Rukh Khan heaped praise on her for her smashing performance in her debut film. Bhumi Pednekar on SRK praising her When asked about when she felt accepted in the industry, she revealed, “My first film was widely watched and adulated, and I saw that the day it was released.” She was appreciated by none other than King Khan for her role. Calling him an individual who is just great, she said, “I met him at YRF, and he appreciated me a lot for my film, and I couldn't believe what was happening. I wasn't prepared to have an SRK experience, and he was shooting for a film there. I met him at the cafe area. He invited me, and it was incredible because of the way he makes you feel. There was a lot of love in that room and a lot of learning.” Bhumi on Shah Rukh Khan’s humble gesture She further added how the superstar woos all with his humble persona and shared, “When you meet people who are at his place, what I am seeking is learning. What impresses you is how humble he is. While he is speaking to you, there could be anybody in his periphery, but he is with you. That's respect; that's character. We have heard stories about how he receives and sees you off, and all of it is true.” Talking about whether she has ever received a letter from Amitabh Bachchan for her work, she averred, “It is a big motivation in my life, and I am waiting for that letter.” Bhumi Pednekar’s upcoming movies She will next be seen in Danish Aslam’s Adhoore Hum Adhoore Tum alongside Imran Khan. The film marks the latter’s comeback on the big screen after a hiatus. Adhoore Hum Adhoore Tum will reportedly arrive on the digital platform this year.
12 February,2026 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Boman Irani has bid adieu to his furry friend. The actor recently took to social media to share a heartfelt note as he said goodbye to his beloved pet, Lisa. He also penned a note in the caption, as he remembered her not just as a pet, but as family, a royal, noble and gentle soul. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boman Irani (@boman_irani) He wrote, “You were the most demanding, attention-seeking, pampered, prioritised, and mentioned-per-day dog that ever will be. Why would that be? Simply because you were the most royal, noble, and gentle soul that ever lived. I have seen non-dog lovers melt before you. Dog haters become dog lovers. Then there are dog lovers who gave you the endorsement of the ‘greatest’”. He recalled how her presence could instantly change the mood of a room. Anger faded, sadness lifted, and even arguments would fall silent with one dignified bark as if she simply wanted peace. He further mentioned, “I have seen anger fade to love in the room when you magically demanded it. I have seen sadness evaporate the minute you entered the room and snapped your pawed finger. I have seen arguments silenced by one noble bark (bow), simply because you hated to see people argue. Your energy repelled all that was evil and attracted all that was good. Simple. We will miss you, my darling Lisa”. Earlier, the actor celebrated 1 year of his directorial debut, The Mehta Boys. Reflecting on the milestone, the actor shared that for him, the biggest thing is that the drama didn’t stop with its release. "Films often have a brief moment, but this one seems to have stayed with people in a quieter, lasting way”, he shared. During the last year, discussions around the film have continued both online and offline, with viewers often pointing out how the story mirrored their own family dynamics. The actor also used social media to thank the audience for showering the project with so much love and appreciation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 February,2026 10:16 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
