EXCLUSIVE! Bhoomika Meena On Working With Dukaan Filmmakers Siddharth-Garima; Bollywood Debutant Says, ‘They Were So Genuine And Passionate’
Bhoomika Meena exclusively spoke to SpotboyE about her experience of working on her Bollywood debut project Dukaan, alongside filmmakers Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal
Actress Bhoomika Meena made her Bollywood debut with filmmakers Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal directorial Dukaan. Released on 5th April 2024, the movie showcases the reality behind certain surrogacy practices in India. Starring Monika Panwar in the lead, Bhoomika recently opened up about her journey to Bollywood. During an exclusive chat with SpotboyE, she shared her experience of working with filmmakers Siddharth and Garima.
How does it feel to make your big Bollywood debut with ‘Dukaan’?
I'm very happy, very grateful that I'm a part of this film, which is not just, entertaining, but also talks about something substantial as well. And, that it has been made by creators who have been in the industry for a long time. I'm very happy and very excited about everything that the future holds for me.
Can you tell us about your journey into the film industry and how you landed this role?
Well, my journey into the film industry, I would say, has just begun. But if you talk about acting, I was always performing as a little girl. I was always on stage dancing, dramatics, and public speaking. But I was also good at academics. I was always that studious kid who was also good at extracurriculars and my parents were doctors. So I prepared for medical entrance and went on to pursue MBBS. But, while I was doing that, I also, was doing professional theater back in Delhi. Eventually, life happened and I realized that I had always loved acting. So after completing my degree I gathered the courage to move to Bombay and pursue acting as a career.
I started formally training in it, doing the right kind of workshops & auditions. And this was just after lockdown when I got a call from Abhimanyu Ray sir, and I'd sent the audition the very day I got a callback. And I remember I was standing in the streets of Versova. In the line of another audition when I got that call back he was all praises. He was like, the directors have loved your audition and they would love to meet you. So you're very much on board and they would like to meet you. And I was like, what? Wow. I was so happy. I think you still feel the energy in my voice. Yeah. That's how I landed the role.
What was your initial reaction when you found out you would be directed by Siddharth and Garima, known for their successful films like ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Kabir Singh’? How was your experience working with them?
Well, I was very very excited because I loved the filmography that they have been part of or that they have created. And their songs, I mean Laal Ishq is one of my favorites and so many other songs that they have written. I was very happy. When I met them personally, I felt they were so genuine and passionate about what they wanted to make. I think it was a very good learning experience and a memorable one indeed.
How did you prepare for your role in the film, were there any specific workshops or anything else that you attended personally for your character?
We did a lot of readings of the scene. So ma'am and sir did help a lot with the accent and what they are expecting out of a character. We did a few scenes run-through as well. Everyone has a process of preparations and so did I, first was, of course, script reading. I think the most important thing for me was the accent. Getting that correct. A. And B was going again and again through the script understanding, the whole mechanics of the scene, where the character is coming from, and what is her journey like. And everything just peeling the character layer by layer and just making sure that I feel like her. And I can do justice to her when we are on set, and I'm completely prepared. Whatever questions I ever had, I made sure that I spoke about those to Sir and Ma'am, and they were addressed well before.
You shared screen space with Monika Panwar, how was your experience working with her?
Oh, it was wonderful. I think she's fabulous. She is, of course, she's a very solid actor. But she's also very helpful and very fun, otherwise. I wish her the most wonderful things. I hope she rises and shines. Because she is here because of her talent & hardwork.
What do you hope audiences will take away from ‘Dukaan’ after watching it?
I think they will take back some really good songs for sure. Which they will be humming and dancing to. And they will take back a new insight about the world of surrogacy. Of what it is like? How exactly it is done? That a woman does not have to go through any relationship or anything. It is a medical procedure, very scientifically, technically done procedure.
You have also worked with Bollywood actors like Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan, Dulqueer Salman and many more, how was that experience?
Oh, lovely. So I shot with Varun & Dulquer for an ad. Both of them had very contrasting energies but both equally committed & very professional, I had a wonderful time working with them. And with Sara also I think we connected when we shot that ad and I mean she was all things good that I had heard of her. Full of energy and that vibe that was needed for that ad.
What kind of roles do you aspire to play in the future considering your debut in ‘Dukaan’?
I want to do everything. I mean, you know, as actors, and artists, we are so hungry. We want to do everything. I hope that I'm able to, play characters with strength and complexities at the same time that people connect to. That moves the audience. Characters that challenge me. That challenge my mentality and that help me just surprise myself. Yes. So, I think the sky is the limit, or maybe not even that. I want to explore the length breadth and depth of acting like never before.
How do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight, especially with a big debut like ‘Dukaan’?
Just very grateful. I think I'm here for the love of the craft. I am here because I love this. So, all my day is just consumed by work. And I think because of that there is no pressure. That is what I am realizing. I do not think that I take any pressure that way. I just try and, give my best. That's all.
Can you tell us about any upcoming project you are excited about?
I am excited about something in which I am playing the lead role. But I am not allowed to talk much about it just yet. Hopefully, we'll have a conversation super soon and I'll be able to talk a lot more about it. But, yes. Great things happening. Hoping for greater things. Some of my work of course, other than Dukaan that you can watch is Slum Golf on Amazon Mini TV. There's also a short film that I had done and got awarded as the best actor for that film at a couple of film festivals. It's available on Disney+ Hotstar and on YouTube as well. It is called ChuheDaani.
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