Bhumi Pednekar speaks up on criticism for her look and role in 'Bala'

Bhumi Pednekar was last seen in Ayushmann Khurrana starrer film Bala where she played the role of a dark-skinned woman. Although the movie went on do to a decent business at the box office, the actor received her share of criticism for the way she looked in the movie. The otherwise fair Bhumi Pednekar was made many skin tones darker using makeup for her role as Latika, a common village girl in the film Bala.

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Bhumi Pednekar was previously criticised for ageism in her earlier film Saand Ki Aankh and then for her role in Bala. Netizens had slammed the makers of the Ayushmann Khurrana starrer film for casting a fair-skinned actor and then making her skin look darker with makeup rather than casting an already dark-skinned actor. In an interview with an entertainment portal, Bhumi clarified her stand in this scenario claiming that she is a professional actor and it is a part of her job to transform into characters that are decided for her by the director of the film. She also shared her belief that wherever there is an appreciation for a film, there will always be some points of criticism as well. 

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Credibility for the roles

The actor also revealed in the interview that the decision to cast another actor for her role was entirely at the discretion of the makers of the film. She went on to clarify that she chose to do the film for the interesting challenge that playing such a character would bring along. Bhumi also pointed out that it was for her skills as an actor that she was cast in the role and not because of her skin color. She drove the point home by calling out to the logic behind the criticism and saying that her debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha wouldn't have been possible had she not transformed herself to play the role.

What's next for Bhumi Pednekar?

Bhumi Pednekar was last seen in Tushar Hiranandani's Saand Ki Aankh along with actor Taapsee Pannu and in Bala with actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam. The actor will be seen in Mudassar Aziz's Pati Patni Aur Woh which is set to release in Indian theaters on December 6. Bhumi will be seen in Alankrita Shrivastav's Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Bhoot-Part One: The Haunted Ship directed by Bhanu Pratap Singh.

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