Just four years into the industry, and Bollywood’s gritty star Bhumi Pednekar has taken on many forms—an overweight bride, a lust-worthy maid, and even an elderly sharpshooter. In an exclusive chat with asiaSpa India, she gives us a glimpse into her formerly unseen avatar—speaking about her love for superfoods, Pilates and massages. By Priyanka Chakrabarti
Photographed by Taras Taraporvala
Assisted by Kewal Chholak
Hair & Makeup by Elton Fernandez
Assisted by Krishna Kami
Styled by Divyak D’Souza
Assisted by Gauravi Desai
Production by P Productions
Location The LaLiT Mumbai
Bhumi Pednekar can be feisty and surreal at the same time. Someone who weighs quality
over quantity, she is an emotive actress who has carved out a niche in the industry with her unconventional choice of scripts, and a personal physical transformation journey. From shutting down stereotypes in Dum Laga Ke Haisha to making you go weak in the knees with her understated seductiveness in Lust Stories, Bhumi is a force to reckon with.
What’s your definition of wellness?
Bhumi: Wellness for me is a mix of a lot of things, but it starts with good mental health. Your mind should be free of burden, to begin with. Then, taking care of your body, eating right, meditating, indulging in art and music, and of course, embarking on a spiritual journey—all these factors add on to form my definition of wellness.
Tell us about your favourite wellness resort.
Bhumi: It’s a place in Austria called VIVAMAYR. I absolutely love this spa resort. In fact, I visit this place pretty often because it truly disconnects me from the world outside. This is my rejuvenation haven.
What’s your favourite type of massage?
Bhumi: I love all kinds of massages. I am somebody who can take massages for eight hours a day. In fact, I have been obsessed with massages since I was a child. However, if I must pick one, I would say I love a good deep tissue session; since I exercise a lot, this massage technique works out very well for me. I also love relaxing Ayurvedic massages.
Your favourite workout format?
Bhumi: I thoroughly enjoy Pilates. I’ve been doing this for the past two years, and it has truly helped me open up my body, increase my flexibility, and enhance my core strength. It’s just amazing.
What’s your beauty routine like?
Bhumi: It’s a mix of skincare practices, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy, and of course, some beautiful cosmetics.
Mountains or beaches, what calms you more?
Bhumi: I’m a mountain lover!
And, what’s your favourite mountain destination?
Bhumi: If I am travelling with my family, I would say Switzerland, but otherwise I love Manali. In fact, I love Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir too.
What’s comfort food for you?
Bhumi: It’s homemade dal chawal.
Are you into superfoods too?
Bhumi: Oh yes, all the time! I consume a lot of superfoods, daily; be it hempseed, quinoa, avocado, or blueberries—I could literally survive on them.
Your best spa experience ever?
Bhumi: I went to a spa in Kerala, and I was there for 12 days straight; it was a beautiful Ayurvedic resort. I ate clean and light food, and took almost eight to nine massages there. It was a detox vacation for me.
Describe a usual day in your life when you are not shooting or working.
Bhumi: Honestly, I’m just in bed watching TV, chilling with my family, and eating some comfort food. I don’t leave my house if I’m not shooting or working because I miss home a lot. I also enjoy cleaning my room, organising my things, and basically putting things in order.
Do you believe in kitchen remedies when it comes to skincare?
Bhumi: A hundred per cent! In fact, I use a lot of kitchen remedies, especially for my ubtans.
Have you ever had a day of digital detox, where you’ve stayed away from your phone or any form of social media?
Bhumi: I have, actually! I remember being at this spa where they were promoting being on a digital detox for good 48 hours, and that’s where I did it. It was difficult, but totally worth it.
How do you unwind after a workout session?
Bhumi: I make sure to hydrate myself, and I hit the sauna as often as possible.
Do you believe in alternative healing therapies?
Bhumi: I am a true believer of alternative healing therapies. I have deep faith in naturopathy, acupuncture, and acupressure, and I know how powerful and effective these techniques are.
Are you also a believer of healing through energies like Reiki and Pranic healing?
Bhumi: Oh yes, absolutely! I feel at the end of the day, you are reacting to vibrations and energies. I believe Reiki and Pranic healing are very powerful healing tools because it is all about channeling positive energy into your body and mind.
Lastly, what’s your take on conscious travelling?
Bhumi: I actually feel, we all need to be conscious beings, and that automatically leads to being conscious about a lot of other things. We have to love our environment, and conscious travelling means, wherever you go, you don’t pollute; you try and be respectful to the country or the place that you are travelling to, its climate, its environment, and of course, mother nature. I think that’s what conscious travelling is all about.
