For Bhumi Pednekar, putting on oodles of weight for her debut film "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" was not a problem as the actress says she was always a plump girl all her life she has always been comfortable in her skin. The 25-year-old actress, who has earned wide-spread praise for her character Sandhya in the film, said being a hard-core foodie she loved preparing for the part that only required gorging on delicacies.
"I have been an over-weight girl all my life and I have been very comfortable with it. I wore what I wanted, did what I wanted. It was never a hindrance for me. So, when they told me I had to gain more weight, I was actually really happy because I am a foodie.
"No actress gets the chance to eat butter chicken, dal makhni on sets everyday. Eating was part of the preparation. It was the best months of my life," Bhumi told PTI. 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' directed by Sharat Katariya, has received rave reviews for its honest story and endearing performances by both Bhumi and Ayushmann Khurrana.
Bhumi, a former casting member at Yash Raj Films for six years, has trimmed down post the shooting of the film, which began in February last year. The actress, who has a three-film contract with YRF, said she does not mind altering her body size for movie roles.
"My aim was never to become skinny. I started eating home-made foods and began losing weight. Definitely, if a certain part requires me to be extremely fit I will do it. It is not a thing for me. If I have to gain weight again I will do that as well," she said. Bhumi welcomed the acceptance of plus-size actresses in Bollywood and said that their success in the film industry motivates newcomers like her.
"It is a positive change that talent is being appreciated more than the way you look. I strongly feel it is not about being beautiful but about feeling beautiful. Body size really doesn't matter. "Looking at the other girls, my contemporaries, who are also not size zero and yet doing well, motivates people like me. It is just nice to see the way films are changing. The way perception about actresses is changing," she said.