In a startling disclosure during a recent interview, Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar recounted a disturbing experience from her teenage years when she was molested at a local fair. Despite being surrounded by her family, the assault happened in a dense crowd, leaving her unable to pinpoint the perpetrator.
The actress detailed the incident that took place in Bandra, Mumbai, when she was only 14 years old. The memory of being repeatedly groped by an unknown assailant in the crowded fair still haunts her to this day. “I remember this very very clearly,” Bhumi told Hauterrfly. “Somebody kept pinching my a*s.”
The ordeal was particularity shocking for Bhumi as she was in the presence of her family and other children from her building at the time. Struck by the audacity of the act and unable to process what was happening, she found herself unable to retaliate or even vocalize the assault. “Though I looked back, I couldn’t understand who did it because it was very crowded,” she recalled, describing the repeated violation and her mounting paranoia.
Reflecting on the long-term psychological effects of such an incident, Bhumi elucidated how corporeal memory preserves such traumatic events: “I remember the poking and the pinching. It’s like your body remembers… these are traumas that you can’t get over.”
Transitioning to her professional career, Bhumi Pednekar has not only carved a niche for herself in Bollywood with her powerful performances but has also been a strong advocate for environmental conservation and social causes. On the work front, her latest cinematic venture is the thriller “Bhakshak,” which is poised to release on Netflix on February 9, 2024. In this upcoming film, Bhumi undertakes the role of a journalist, adding to her repertoire of diverse characters.
The script of “Bhakshak” held such a profound impact on Bhumi that even six months after passing on the opportunity due to unforeseen circumstances, she found herself engrossed by the story. Her commitment to the role became evident when she continually revisited the script, haunted by the narrative and feeling a sense of guilt for initially not taking it up. “When the film came to me during the lockdown, I loved it. For some reason, things didn’t work out at that point. But from then till I started working on it, I re-read the script, and there wasn’t a day when this film didn’t haunt me. I kept feeling guilty [about passing it up],” Bhumi shared in an interaction with Mid-day.com.
In bearing witness to her personal story of molestation, Bhumi Pednekar highlights a prevalent issue within society. Her candid reflection on the trauma associated with such experiences, especially at a tender age, lends voice to countless silent sufferers and underscores the need for greater vigilance and support for victims of sexual assault.
Furthermore, through her choice of roles portraying strong, independent women and her advocacy for pressing societal issues, Pednekar endeavors to effect real change both on and off the screen. Her actions inspire many, especially young women, to stand up against injustice while pursuing their dreams with tenacity and courage.
As Bhumi Pednekar continues to tread her path in the film industry with the impending release of “Bhakshak,” her journey goes beyond mere entertainment. It is layered with the determination to raise awareness and to foster an environment where such traumatic experiences become anomalies rather than common occurrences. Her story, a blend of personal struggle and professional triumph, resonates with a nation striving to rewrite the narrative for its daughters, ensuring their safety, dignity, and freedom to flourish.
