Bhumi Pednekar criticized Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s “bold” Pepsi commercial on Instagram for defying social conventions and calling out people who doubt women’s right to decide what they wear in marriage, among other things. As she discussed her own cinematic career, the actor reflected on how she had been told repeatedly that she “couldn’t make it as a leading star.” Bhumi also mentioned the comments she heard frequently, such as “you don’t look like the conventionally attractive leading lady” and “your first film will be your last film.”
Bhumi Pednekar at the wedding reception of actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani in Mumbai in February 2023. (File photo / AFP)
Bhumi is noted for tackling social taboos and stigma through her films, starting with her debut Dum Lagake Haisa (2015) and continuing with Badhaai Do (2022), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2017). She discussed how she was instructed to use film to play it safe and not support causes in her most recent Instagram post.
Bhumi penned: “If I had a cent for every time, I would be told how unlikely it was for me to become a starring actor and how my first movie would be my last. When I was portraying an overweight heroine, many advised me to play it safe and avoid promoting causes in the movies because I would be perceived as a niche figure. They also commented on how I did not resemble the conventionally attractive leading ladies who have dominated our industry. This implied that I had absolutely no chance…”
She said, “I didn’t allow the doubters question my worth. I chose to defy expectations and preconceptions. I made choices to reject the conventions and preconceptions that limit women and chose to advance. Thus, other women tu tera kar (you do you) is all I have to say. I’d want to thank the @pepsiindia team and @samantharuthprabhuoffl, one of my personal favorite actors, for bringing this ad’s relatable and daring message to life. Much success to you.
Bhumi was chosen to serve as the UNDP’s first national representative earlier this year. Bhumi last appeared alongside Rajkummar Rao in “Bheed.” Bhed, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is a fictitious movie that takes place in India in the year 2020 during the Covid-19 shutdown. Dia Mirza, Ashutosh Rana, Pankaj Kapur, and Kritika Kamra all had significant roles in the movie.