Ideas of India 2025: Bhumi Pednekar Recalls Male Co-Star Getting 80% More Despite Equal Hits - 'I Had No Choice'
Ideas Of India 2025: Bhumi Pednekar, who marks 10 years in the film industry this year, shared insights about her journey at the ABP Network's Ideas of India Summit 2025.
Ideas Of India 2025: Bhumi Pednekar, who marks 10 years in the film industry this year, shared insights about her journey at the ABP Network's Ideas of India Summit 2025. In a session titled 'A Decade in the Spotlight', moderated by Sarita Kaushik, Executive Editor of ABP Majha, the actress opened up about her choice of roles, the changes she hopes to bring through her work, and the challenges women face in the industry.
On portraying strong female characters
Pednekar has always been known for taking on unconventional roles that challenge societal norms. She believes that her characters go beyond just being someone's wife and instead represent the multifaceted nature of modern women.
“More than just being wives, they are women in entirety. They represent different shapes of what a modern-day woman is. All my characters have agency, which is extremely important for me. Growing up, I saw beautiful actresses on stage, and that inspired me to be an actor. But something I really missed growing up was seeing women who don’t fit the conventional stereotypical beauty standards. So I thought growing up, main to kabhi actor ban hi nahi paungi kyunki main in ladkiyo jaisi toh dikhti hi nahi hu. And I am genuinely proud and glad that my first film was 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' because it helped me, and hopefully many other girls, realize that women don’t have to be defined by society’s expectations.”
She spoke about the importance of creating one's own opportunities in the industry. “I have to create my own role, I have to create my own room because, many times, there might not be ears that resonate with what I am saying. That is because they are so conditioned to just work a certain way, but today I have a platform, and I am empowered enough to create rooms and conversations that are safe.”
On her debut with Dum Laga Ke Haisha
Unlike many actors who dream of glamorous debuts, Pednekar’s first role required her to gain 40 kilos. While unconventional, the experience shaped her perspective on the industry.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t dream that I would debut with a film like Dum Laga Ke Haisha. I wanted to do all the quintessential parts. Your first film is not something you choose; it chooses you. I don’t come from a film family; I fought with my family to get into the movies. I really upset my parents deeply because they didn’t know how this world operates. I was also a rebel as I was my father’s child, even though he was completely upset with me. I didn’t really have a choice. If they had told me baal mundwa lo, main woh bhi kar deti.”
She also revealed how she landed the role. “I was casting for 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' because I was a casting director for four years with Yash Raj Films. When this script came along, Aditya Chopra, who I am deeply indebted to, told Shanu Sharma, the head casting director, ‘I have heard Bhumi conducts auditions; why don’t we audition her?’ The process happened for many months, and whatever happened is history. The film changed my life, and I would not want it any other way.”
On choosing purpose-driven roles
Over the years, Pednekar has built a reputation for portraying strong, impactful characters. She admitted that turning down work is tough, but it has been essential in shaping her career.
“I have said no to a lot of work. It is extremely tough saying no, but it is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. I think the characters I have chosen have a lot to do with what I resonate with. I truly believe that my art form is a great power that I have, and I really want to exercise it by bringing a positive change in the world around me, in society around me.”
She further added, “All my films post Dum Laga Ke Haisha have one thing in common: the characters have agency. I always seek characters that I feel can be inspiring. I always seek stories that truly leave behind an impact. I am a very purpose-driven person, and I think my purpose is to bring about change through my art form.”
On gender pay gap in the Industry
Pednekar also addressed the ongoing issue of the gender pay gap, stating that while there has been progress, much still needs to change.
“It did make a change, but not a huge change. The gender pay gap is everywhere, not just in the film industry. You look at a woman CEO and compare her salary to a man in a similar position—there is a gap. I have spoken about the gender pay gap in the past because I do feel that when I was offered literally 5 percent of what my male counterpart got, I was completely aware of the fact that we had the same number of hits, the same amount of success, and started at a similar time. Yet, he was given 80 percent more than what I got. I did that film because I didn’t have a choice. I was like, ‘I will do this film, I will create an impact, and hopefully create an ecosystem where I can empower myself and thereby empower other women who work with me.’”
She shared a recent milestone in her career, saying, “Last year, I was part of a project where I was the highest-paid actor, and I am very proud of it. Because that’s what I deserve.”
On casting couch
As a former casting director, Pednekar acknowledged the prevalence of exploitation in the industry but maintained that she personally never encountered it during her time at Yash Raj Films.
“I was a casting director for many years before becoming an actor, but I was casting in an institution that was very clean and organized. I have not firsthand experienced anything. But does it not exist? Of course, it does. I will never negate a girl’s experience. The easiest thing for society is to say, nahi, she must have overread into things. I will never do this because clearly, there is a problem.”
She also highlighted the larger safety concerns for women in India. “As a woman today in India, I am scared, and this is not just about my fraternity. I am scared about my younger cousin who lives with me, goes out to college, and doesn’t come home till 11 o’clock at night. There is a deep conditioning of power in our country. There is a problem when your front-page news is only about violence against women, and this is not a one-off thing. This is a regular occurrence.”
On completing 10 years in the industry
Looking ahead, Pednekar remains ambitious yet focused on leaving a lasting impact. “People ask me what is the end goal. I don’t know what the end goal is. I am a very driven person; I want it all, but I also want to give back. I hope the next 10 years are as beautiful and as gratifying as the past 10 years. I am very fortunate that I got the opportunity, and there are very few people who get that opportunity.”
On her legacy
“When I lost my father, we didn’t know how we would survive as a family, but that experience taught me that I am a very resilient person. I became the primary caregiver of my family. I know that in the next 10 years, the legacy that we want to continue—the legacy my father left behind—my sister and I are going to make it even larger and bigger. I want the world to know that Satish Pednekar’s daughters have truly left behind a legacy that brought change in the world.”
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