When Bhumi Pednekar made her groundbreaking debut in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, she did more than just deliver a stellar performance. Stepping onto the screen at nearly 100 kg, she shattered long-standing industry stereotypes and proved that talent transcends conventional beauty standards. Since that powerful entry, the actor has embarked on a remarkable journey of fitness and self-discovery. However, in a candid new interview, Bhumi admits that the path to self-love is a continuous process and that the shadows of body image issues never truly disappear.
Speaking with Hindustan Times, Pednekar opened up about her physical and mental transformation, her redefined philosophy on fitness, and how she navigates the relentless scrutiny of online trolls. When asked if she has finally overcome her body image struggles, her answer was refreshingly honest. “I feel that doesn’t ever go right,” she confessed, acknowledging the deep-seated nature of these insecurities. “That’s because we have grown up in an environment where we were subjected to different kinds of comments. But you have to learn to love yourself, and that’s a process.”
Reflecting on her personal journey, Bhumi shared that it has been a long and often difficult road. “It has taken me a lot of time, and I still have days where I feel heartbroken about things,” she revealed. To counteract these moments of self-doubt, she relies on a structured routine that keeps her grounded. For her, the connection between physical and mental well-being is paramount. “For me, physical health is also about mental health. It’s just not about how you look externally. It is also about how you feel internally.”
Elaborating on her motivation, Bhumi explained that her workouts are an act of self-care, not just a means to achieve a certain look. “Every time I am in a workout routine, I’m spending a lot of time telling myself that I’m doing this for my body. I’m doing this because I have to be the fittest. I want to live longer,” she said. These moments of physical exertion double as a form of meditation, providing her with much-needed mental clarity. “That’s the only way that you can take care of yourself,” she asserted during the relaunch of a Skechers store in New Delhi.
This holistic approach has led her to a simple, yet profound, definition of fitness. “Fitness is just loving yourself. There’s nothing more to it. If you love yourself, you will be fit,” shared the actress, who was last seen in the Netflix series, The Royals.
Bhumi Pednekar Remains Unfazed
Of course, being in the public eye means her transformation has been met with a barrage of opinions, many of them harsh and unsolicited. Bhumi, however, remains unfazed by the trolling. Having experienced public commentary at both ends of the weight spectrum, she has developed a resilient perspective. “The thing is that I have seen both ends of the spectrum. There was a time when I was 96 kg, and there were opinions then. Now, I look different, and there are opinions now,” she stated calmly. “The point is that I’m in the public eye and it’s okay. I am for the audience. Everything that they say I listen to, but by the end of it, I do what’s right for me.”
Looking ahead, Bhumi remained tight-lipped about her upcoming projects but promised a busy year for her fans. “There are a lot of things, but they haven’t been announced yet, but next year you will see me onscreen 3 or 4 times,” she concluded, ready to continue her journey of self-love both on and off the screen.