Bhumi Pednekar says Badhaai Do is a “Sensitive” Film

Bhumi Pednekar says her upcoming film Badhaai Do explores “love and acceptance” sensitively, never using its humour against the LGBTQI community for cheap laughs.

The film features Bhumi Pednekar as a lesbian physical education teacher who ties the knot with a gay policeman, played by Rajkummar Rao.

Badhaai Do is the sequel to the 2018 hit film Badhaai Ho.

Bhumi Pednekar revealed she agreed to do the film as she saw the potential of the project to speak to a large audience.

The actress said: “What jumped out for me was that it is a big franchise which stands for speaking about things that usually make people uncomfortable, but something that we need to accept and normalise.

“There is a lot of humour in the film, even in the narration I could not stop laughing.

“But the humour is not degrading, not there to titillate.

“It is not at the expense of the community.”

The actress, who has starred in films like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Bala and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, said Badhaai Do came to her without any dos and don’ts.

Bhumi said the team of the film were aware of telling an important story with maturity.

She said: “There was a lot of sensitivity about the LGBTQI community, which is something I respected.

“When I heard the narration, it was done so well, there was no reason for me to say, ‘We should not create a joke about the community’.

“You have to show the society the way it is because that’s the only way we would be able to achieve the change we hope we do, but there is no digging.

“It is a very sensitive film.”

With Badhaai Do, the actress said she found an opportunity to play a vulnerable character, unlike those from some of her roles in films like Saand Ki Aankh and Durgamati.

Talking about the character, Bhumi Pednekar said:

“Sumi is genuinely inspirational.

“What truly excited me as an actor was that I saw her vulnerabilities.”

“I have played a lot of strong-willed women, women who are out there to get it, but that’s not the case for everyone.

“Everybody has their coming of age, through experiences you find courage.

“I saw her do that.”

Helmed by Junglee Pictures, Badhaai Do is set to release on February 11, 2022.