Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar, widely known for her impactful roles and powerful social messages, took to social media this Raksha Bandhan with a heartfelt and provocative message. Raksha Bandhan, a traditional Indian festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, saw Bhumi challenging the societal norms and urging a new perspective on this deeply rooted tradition.
In her emotive post, Bhumi referenced her latest film, ‘Bhakshak,’ which highlights the harrowing reality of sexual abuse faced by young girls in a shelter home. This project aligns closely with her message on Raksha Bandhan, given the backdrop of an unfortunate incident in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered. Bhumi’s message is not merely about acknowledging existing support but questioning the fundamental need for protection from brothers. She wrote, “Happy Raksha Bandhan. I’ve been fortunate to have had brothers and men in my life that have been my allies, Thank you!”
However, it was her messages in Hindi that stirred deeper reflections within society. Bhumi poignantly recalled common tragic narratives heard since childhood. “We have been hearing since childhood – So-and-so’s sister is beaten badly by her husband. But the poor girl cannot leave him. Her sister met with an accident; it seemed like it was a dowry case. Her sister was about to go to college, but some boys harassed her so much that she had to stop going. Someone threw acid on her sister, boys would harass her, she raised her voice and this happened. Her sister was returning from work in the evening and got raped. She accompanied her friend on a bus and got raped. She was on her way to school and got raped.
. She was working in the fields and got raped. She was working late at night in the office and got raped.”
Through these stark and distressing examples, Bhumi highlighted the pervasive and systemic issues of gender-based violence and abuse that women still face in 2024. “It’s 2024, why do we still need protection from our brothers? How many times and from how many people will our brothers save us?” she questioned. Bhumi’s message makes it clear that the root of the issue lies not just in protection but in preventing the need for it in the first place.
Bhumi’s heartfelt plea continues, “All those men who committed these crimes against women were someone’s brothers. When they did such heinous acts do they not think about their sisters and mothers? Where is fear? Where is humanity?” She urged society to look introspectively, questioning where humanity and empathy have disappeared and calling for collective action against these atrocities.
“This Raksha Bandhan, raise your voices and fight alongside your sisters and daughters. Teach your sons good morals, and educate them so that the next generation doesn’t hear the same stories,” she wrote, emphasizing the need for societal reform beginning at the grassroots level. Bhumi called for a paradigm shift, where instead of merely celebrating the protective role of brothers, families and communities direct their efforts toward fostering respect, empathy, and moral integrity in sons and men.
On the professional front, Bhumi Pednekar is set to expand her repertoire by playing the role of a cop in the upcoming web series ‘Daldal,’ directed by Amrit Raj Gupta. Based on Vish Dhamija’s Bhendi Bazaar, ‘Daldal’ promises to bring a gripping narrative that may resonate with the ongoing struggles against societal evils. Furthermore, Bhumi will also be seen in ‘The Royals’ on Netflix, alongside a star-studded cast including Zeenat Aman, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, and Dino Morea.
This multifaceted actress continues to use her platform not only to entertain but to educate and raise awareness about pressing social issues. Bhumi’s Raksha Bandhan message underscores the importance of tackling deep-seated gender biases and violence in society through education and moral upbringing, transcending traditional rituals to create lasting, impactful change.
