Bhumi Pednekar has bagged Karan Johar’s next Takht, her biggest film till date. She has been a fan of Karan’s movies, with the cult blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai being her favourite.
Bhumi says, “I loved and enjoyed Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The film released when I was in school. I was 10 and it had such a big impact on me growing up because it honestly defined pop culture at that time. So, I went through that entire phase where I would dress up like Kajol with head bands, sweat bands and some days I would dress up as Rani (Mukherjee) ma’am too, like in short skirts and try to act like her.”
Much before she joined the industry, Bhumi was a film buff. She says, “I had that neckpiece that said ‘cool.’ I remember dancing to Koi Mil Gaya at every birthday party or family get-togethers. I was borderline obsessed with the movie and made our building kids to be divided into team Tina and team Anjali at get-togethers. That was the level of impact the movie had. After watching the film, I also went for a summer camp which was very close to the one shown in it. I tried to do everything that Karan showed in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as wanted to live it.”
But it is not just his debut film that Bhumi loves. She is also a fan of the last Karan directorial. “Another film that has stayed with me is Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I really liked it.
It speaks of a relationship where two friends are confused about their feelings. It was such a beautiful, mature love story that really moved me. I think Karan’s films are larger than life and aspirational yet at the same time, where the emotions are concerned, they are very real. You feel Karan’s films and the emotions linger on. I’m honoured and privileged that I have the opportunity to be directed by him and I will give it my all for him,” she says.