Bhumika Chawla became a household name with her film Tere Naam opposite Salman Khan – Salman actually called her his lucky mascot. From there on, she worked in several blockbuster banners opposite top heroes.Multi-lingual films had a unique fascination for Bhumika. If you recall the gorgeous Bhumika made her debut in the Telugu film Yuvakadu opposite Sumanth. Subsequently, her second film Kushi opposite Pawan Kalyan was a notable success at the box office. Besides these, she’s acted Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi films. Currently, she’s essaying a different role in Neeray Pandey’s film Operation Romeo directed by Shashant Shah.…Presenting the stunning Bhumika Chawla in a candid mode as she talks to Arushi Dusaj about films, challenges and her take on the much debated nepotism debate..

You’re an amazing actor, which film did you find the most challenging to act in?

I think in Hindi films, Tere Naam was a bit challenging in the beginning. Also, another film which I found really challenging was Gandhi, My Father because the director wanted everything to be very subtle and all in all, he was very particular about me not having too many expressions on the face, probably he wanted the entire act to be subtle.

You entered the OTT too, are there more OTT projects in the anvil?

No, not right now! I’ve had quite a few offers in the past year but it hasn’t materialized for various reasons. Sometimes, the dates are not in place or we don’t like the scripts. It takes a while just to find that right character so somehow it’s not materialized.

Could you tell us something about your upcoming projects which you are really looking forward to?

There’s one film that I just finished and I’m really looking forward to that film’s release. I have done something very different from what I have been doing over the last so many years and this film has been challenging because I’ve had to express myself as a character in a way I haven’t done in my previous films, so I’m actually excited and waiting for that film’s release.

What are some of the roles that will remain very close to your heart?

I think most of them are close to my heart. But Tere Naam is special for me, Gandhi, My Father is very dear to my heart! Silsilay because I have a different role in that and in Tamil, there’s a film called Sillunu Oru Kaadhal which I hold close to my heart. In Telugu I have done a film called Missamma and Kushi – these are a few films inmy career which I really liked.

“I enjoyed working with everyone but I think Abhishek (Bachchan) has a good sense of humor and even Akshay Kumar – he is quite funny.”

You have had the opportunity to work with some of the top stars in the industry, who did you have the most fun working with?

I enjoyed working with everyone but I think Abhishek (Bachchan) has a good sense of humor and even Akshay Kumar – he is quitefunny. On the sets, he is very focused, yet he has this funny side to himself. It was fun working with them – the ambience on the sets was light-hearted and comfortable.

“Every actor will have a different take on nepotism. I do feel that you need that extra hand to get into the industry but, it’s still not easy.”

Your film ‘Tere Naam’ was a huge success and it was loved by the audiences, how was it to work with Salman Khan? Any challenges you faced while shooting for this film?

It was a good experience working with him – he was already a star by then and I was beginning my career in the Hindi film industry. He was a very good support system because I remember I didn’t feel prepared – and I think that happens when you are working in a big banner with a big hero. Sometimes as a youngster, you tend to feel a little nervous. But Salman was always there to support me. That way I think it was a good experience!

You’ve been in the industry for some time, how would you define your journey?

I have been here for quite some time and I’m very grateful to God for what I have got from the films that I have worked on in all languages – and I think the journey with every film has been interesting – there’s something or the other that I have learnt from each one of them. Films with different storylines have taught me a lot and from the industry, you learn a lot about the business and how the industry functions. So, it’s all about a learning experience and at the end of the day, I feel grateful and blessed to get whatever I have gotten and I’m still raring to go upwards and do things I have not done before.

Being an outsider when you first joined the industry, were there any challenges you faced?

I started my career with ads and after that, I got into music videos and then Telugu films. So things were happening one after the other. But, in the initial years I did have to go through a lot of auditions to get that first break. But I think it is wonderful that one thing followed another – and I have worked in multi-lingual films like Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi beside Hindi.

“It is tough looking after a little one and then you need to give answers to people which cannot be done by managers. But I love my tiny little world and family and I really love my work.”

The ‘nepotism’ and ‘insiders versus outsiders’ debate have been raging for quite some time, what is your take on it?

I think every person comes with a different take and that is the first thing I want to say; every actor will have a different take on nepotism. I do feel that you need that extra hand to get into the industry but, it’s still not easy. I think if you’re good, you will make it there no matter what. So there’s no other factor that work besides your hardwork, determination and the rapport you maintain with people – that really plays a big role in shaping your career in the film industry. There are so many times we see people who are not from the industry do well like Preity Zinta or Neha Dhupia. I don’t think Aishwarya or Priyanka Chopra had that helping hand – they came up on their own hard work and made a mark. But, at the same there are people from the industry who made it big like Kareena Kapoor or Karishma. On the other hand, there are people from the industry who despite everything have not made it big so I think it’s just probably your luck, getting the right scripts that you can do justice to! It’s a debate that everyone has a different opinion on but yes, nepotism is there in every industry, right? It happens everywhere so it’s just about how you take it.

How do you maintain a balance between your professional life and personal life?

It is tough looking after a little one – right now, he’s swimming in the club where I’m sitting and talking to you – and exams are on and then you have script reading and you need to give answers to people which cannot be done by managers. You have to do it yourself so it is a little difficult but there is also that happiness and joy in doing it because I love my tiny little world and family and I really love my work. So I am highly passionate about both. But I try not to over-do anything.

Besides acting, what else do you love doing in life?

I love to read, which has been something I loved doing in life, I love to step out for my little walks, love to sit out and admire nature – I feel that is very therapeutic for me. I love adventures and would experience them all the time if given a chance!

What are you looking forward to in 2022?

As of now I’m just enjoying my holidays and I’ll be traveling abroad so I think that is something I’m looking forward to in the near future. From the work point of view, I’m getting offers so I’m hoping that they work out so there are different things that I’m looking forward to!