Bhumi Pednekar in a still from Dum Laga Ke Haisha
Dum Laga Ke Haisha may be enjoying an extended run at the box office and Ayushmann Khurrana may be happy to have a hit again but the star of the film remains Bhumi Pednekar, who could well be the top contender for the Best Debutant Award for 2015. However, if director Sharat Katariya had had his way, Bhumi would not have been a part of the film.
"Maneesh Sharma had pointed me at her direction. Bhumi was a casting professional under YRF casting director Shanoo Sharma and was helping us cast for the role of the leading lady," says Sharat.
So, without telling Bhumi that she too was going to be tested for the role, both Maneesh and Sharat decided to ask Bhumi for a mock test, a test that would serve as a reference point for other actresses.
"So, instead of the script, Bhumi acted out a scene from
Band Baaja Baaraat. She performed it exactly like Anushka Sharma. My problem with it all was that if I wanted an Anushka-like performance, I would have approached Anushka for the role," adds Sharat.
And then, Bhumi was finally told about the plans and the actress went through almost four months of auditions and re-auditions to finally get the part. We're glad Sharat had a change of heart and we're sure he's glad too.