FORCE for GOOD

True to her name, Bhumi Pednekar is making her voice heard for a cause closest to her heart - the earth. Hasina Jeelani digs deeper

- Hasina Jeelani

The marquee lights flicker on, and Bhumi Pednekar's celebrity persona switches into place with an inaudible click. Her caramel-hued tresses have been finger-combed to affect a just-hopped-out-of-the-shower charm. Her eyelids have been fleetingly kissed by the dainty hues of blush pink. To the world, she appears at ease as she arches her petite frame this way and that to catch the light. But as she crosses her arms, the curtain slips for a minute to reveal an aching halo of vulnerability lining the depths of her pupils.

These are eyes that have stared vacantly at the ceiling on sleepless nights to comprehend the towering monolith of climate change and the seemingly minuscule role she might play in paving the path towards a more sustainable future. The same fingers playing with a sequinned bustier have been scrolling breathlessly for years in search of more equitable solutions. When the corners of her lips tilt upwards into a generous smile, it is the same warmth with which she enthuses over her newest eco-friendly finds-compostable bowls that are also microwave-safe, if you'll believe it.