Bhumika Chawla's performances in Tere Naam, Gandhi My Father and MS Dhoni seem like a distant memory for her fans in Hindi cinema. She been selective about her choices in Hindi films. On the hand, her career in South films continues to be prolific as she headlines Tamil and Telugu movies. ETimes caught up with elusive actress to record her opinions on staying relevant, her co-star the late Sushant Singh Rajput and the possibility of a reunion with Salman Khan. Excerpts:
Why have you always been understated when it comes to your personal life? You've always let the focus be on your work.
I don't know. I have been like this from the very beginning. I have no answer to this actually.
But people can change. You have been in this industry long enough, to learns its ways.
Initially, my process was about just wanting to focus on my work. When I started my career, during those days PR wasn't as prominent as it is today. It was nice earlier. You were doing your movies and the journalists were writing about you. Today, in the times of social media, everything has become a little more different in terms of approach towards work. Earlier I never paid too much attention to it at all. But I think it has become important nowadays.
Do you feel the modern-day focus on PR and social media is too intrusive?
Whether it's the stars/actors who have been in the industry for the longest time or the newcomers, the concept is 'to be seen'. But I think to be seen or heard all the time might kill the basic concept of work. Your strength is your work, which gets diluted because of all of this.
But today, people use the social media to announce everything from their marriages to divorces to every little thing they do. What do you think about it?
In a way it's good. You're saying what you really want to say, in your own words. There are pros and cons to being openly seen or heard in public, of course. If you overdo it, the mystery behind the star/person can disappear. I think a little mystery is good.
What's happening on the work front? You're working a lot down South and not so much in Hindi, why?
I am walking a tightrope. On one hand, I have to be seen for producers and directors to understand that I'm still working so they can approach me. Unless you're seen on-screen, people assume that you're married, you have a child, so you're not interested. So, social media and PR comes handy at that time.
I have been working down South for the longest time. I never took a break there. I have been doing some interesting films there. I have three films due for release right now. As of now, I have one film which was supposed to start last year October-November. But that got delayed because of date issues and then an omicron wave happened. I have done another Hindi film which was due for release in Jan-Feb but that too got delayed because of the pandemic. I am now also understanding that OTT is all the more feasible in these times.
So, are you open to opportunities on OTT?
Yes, I am open to working in the OTT space. But the offers that I am getting are not as exciting as I want them to be. That's why I am not taking up anything.
Allu Arjun has become the talk of the town after Pushpa. Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt have done RRR. What are your thoughts on pan-India films and stars?
It's very nice. Earlier, the audience in the North only knew about Nagarjuna or Venkatesh because of the few Hindi films they did. But now I think, whether the film is from South or North, it has actors from both industries. Producers are realizing that the marketing value is much higher. The film reaches a larger audience. So, the recovery rate is higher. When Prabhas or Allu Arjun make a multilingual film people love to watch that.
Have you ever worked with Allu Arjun or Prabhas in projects that the Hindi audience may not have heard about?
No, I have not worked with either of them. But I am happy that their films are doing well pan-India and abroad.
Do you think the South industries pose a threat to Bollywood?
No, I don't think so. No one can eat the other. Good films are coming from both industries. And the audience just wants to watch good films.
You had penned an emotional note after the passing of your MS Dhoni co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. What memories of him have stayed with you now?
It was nice working with him. We had a few days working together. I particularly remember sitting with him between shots and Sushant used to talk about the journey of life. He was a very normal human being, not one with his head flying in the air.
When will we see you reunite with Salman Khan?
I am not in touch with him. If the reunion happens, I'd be open to it. Why not?
You are a painter, too. Are you trying out diverse creative experiences?
I am fond of painting but I don't pursue it professionally. For me, it's just creativity. I was doing acrylic on canvas. I love traveling too. I just took a helicopter ride in Dubai. It's an open chopper and goes up to 1500 feet which is an exciting thing. I was a little afraid initially but I enjoyed it. The next thing I want to do is to dive in the deepest pool in Dubai.
