Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar is treading new ground with her latest venture, the web series ‘Daldal,’ marking her debut in the digital streaming space via Prime Video. Beginning on June 1, Pednekar has stepped into what she describes as one of the most demanding roles of her career. The series, an adaptation of Vish Dhamija’s novel ‘Bhendi Bazaar,’ is directed by Amrit Raj Gupta and showcases Pednekar as Rita Ferreira, a cop caught in a dual battle: hunting down a serial killer in Mumbai while trying to keep her personal life from disintegrating.
Bhumi Pednekar, known for her roles that embody resilient and complex characters, expressed immense enthusiasm and a sense of challenge as she embarked on this new project. “I have started shooting for the project, and I can already tell you it will be one of my most challenging roles ever. ‘Daldal’ is one of my most special projects for many reasons,” Pednekar shared.
This role is particularly significant as it presents Pednekar in a light previously unseen by her audience. Playing a cop for the first time is just one aspect that drew her to this project. She is keen on bringing to life a role that embodies traits she holds in high regard—ambition, resilience, and the ability to break through the glass ceiling. Pednekar described her character Rita Ferreira as a paragon of strength and dedication. “Rita is an achiever, a glass-ceiling breaker, and a rewriter of rules in a man’s world. She is ambitious and ferociously passionate about her job. This is the kind of woman I idolise,” Pednekar explained.
Being the lead of such a significant series on a global platform like Prime Video provides Pednekar with an opportunity to spotlight the strength and resilience of Indian women worldwide. “I want people to remember and celebrate our women because they play a huge role in shaping society, and they have every right to follow their dreams,” she emphasized.
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Pednekar’s penchant for powerful female roles is evident in her career choices. Her latest film, ‘Bhakshak,’ saw her delve into the character of a small-town reporter uncovering a shocking case of child sexual abuse in a shelter home. “It has been an exciting year for me—from ‘Bhakshak’ becoming a hit, to me finding disruptive projects like ‘Daldal’. If you look at my filmography, I have been fortunate to find projects that help me portray strong, independent women,” she reflected.
Her portfolio boasts an impressive array of characters that challenge societal norms and showcase the diverse aspects of Indian womanhood. Films such as ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ (2015), where she played a plus-sized woman struggling with body image and societal expectations, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ (2017), which addressed erectile dysfunction, and ‘Saand Ki Aankh’ (2019), portraying octogenarian sharpshooters, all depict Pednekar’s commitment to taking on roles that are both unique and impactful. Furthermore, her performances in ‘Badhaai Do’ (2022) and the segment she starred in for ‘Lust Stories’ (2018) have been lauded for their depth and come-at-the-role attitudes.
However, ‘Daldal’ seems tailored to underline Pednekar’s strengths as an actor committed to varied, challenging roles. In recognition of this project’s uniqueness, she spoke about how significantly different and demanding this new character would be compared to her past roles. Comparing Rita Ferreira to the other strong female characters she has portrayed, Pednekar underscored the personal resonance she feels with a character who defies conventional expectations. This character’s unwavering ambition aligns with her own professional ethos.
Pednekar’s fans eagerly await the release of ‘Daldal’ to see how she brings Rita Ferreira to life, demonstrating once again her exceptional ability to convert challenging roles into memorable and influential performances. The series is expected to provide viewers with a roller-Coaster Ride of emotions, tension, and intrigue, anchored by Pednekar’s compelling portrayal of an indomitable woman. With her profound connection to characters that push societal boundaries, Bhumi Pednekar continues to inspire many, proving that the representation of robust, determined female protagonists is not only possible but essential in contemporary cinema and digital platforms.
%’Daldal’ promises to strike a chord with audiences, not just as a thriller, but as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women like Rita Ferreira, and by extension, Bhumi Pednekar herself.
