Bhumi Pednekar talks about her movie choices, life as a star and her love for men

I love men. But I believe in equal rights and opportunities for both the genders.

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Bhumi Pednekar personifies the new age heroine. Unconventional. Unapologetic. Unencumbered. An actor, who celebrates the perfection in the imperfections. Right from her debut Dum Laga Ke Haisha, she has dodged the typical and embraced the taboo, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan reaffirming that she was not about chance but choice. No wonder her small-town characters have established a pan-India connect. Last year, her eclectic choices – Sonchiriya, Saand Ki Aankh and Bala garnered rave reviews, while Pati Patni Aur Woh explored her massy mojo. The year 2020 holds a lot more. Alankrita Shrivastava’s Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare, a satire, pairs her with Konkona Sen Sharma. While Akshay Kumar’s Durgavati, directed by G. Ashok, has her venture into the world of horror. Even her cameos in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Bhoot: The Haunted Ship promise to be engaging. “My mood for the next decade #HappyGirl…,” wrote Bhumi on Instagram welcoming the life ahead. Prophetic that…

Last year was a bumper one for you…

I’m truly overwhelmed. All my films, Sonchiriya, Saand Ki Aankh, Bala and Pati Patni Aur Woh made an impact and gave me something in return. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t got the chance to sit back and let it all sink in. I thank the audiences for giving me so much love. Finally, I’ve cemented my position. People now have faith in me. With every film, I’ve grown humbler and less selfish. I value what life’s given me.

Hindi cinema is offering great opportunities for female actors. Agree?