Riding high on the success of her recent film, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar is grateful for the love and appreciation for her performance by fans and critics alike. The actress will be next seen in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. In an interview to thestatesman.com, Bhumi reminisces about her initial days in the industry, how it feels to work with her co-star, Ayushmann Khurana, and her view on the women in the industry.

The actress has been in the industry for more than two years and, now, feels her life is going on in a parallel universe!

“I’m really grateful to everyone for the love and appreciation. I was lucky when Dum Laga Ke Haisha happened! Most importantly I’m grateful to the filmmaker. The industry has been really nice to me and I think right now my life is going on in a parallel universe. So yeah I’m happy,” Bhumi says.

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan deals in performance anxiety and Bhumi’s character in the film is all about getting it straight for her man in the film!

“My character’s name is Sugandha, who is born and brought up in Delhi. She has never really experienced a male influence in her life in a romantic way. That’s why she has an unconditional faith in Mudit (Ayushmann) despite the performance anxiety issue with Ayushmann’s character. And, yes the movie deals in performance anxiety and not impotency,” Bhumi explains.

Bhumi and Ayushmann Khuranna will be working together for the second time, in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, and the actress is quite vocal about her co-star.

“Honestly, Ayushmann is a phenomenal actor. He is very inspiring and fun to work with! He’s one of the most talented actors in the industry right now,” Bhumi says.

“We really had a good time working with each other. We are good friends behind the scenes and we became better friends while shooting Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. I think that friendship gave a certain amount of comfort for our onscreen chemistry in the film.” she added.

The Dum Laga Ke Haisha actress thinks that women are now in the right direction in the industry!

“The Industry is going through a new phase! There is a change going on within the industry, which promotes smaller budget films, socially relevant topics and women as an equal counterpart to males in the film. The movies I have done so far has portrayed women in a stronger role and I’m happy that I could achieve that. So there’s no denying that it’s a good phase for women,” Bhumi says.

It was a tough phase for the actress with no regrets when she put on weight for Dum Laga Ke Haisha!

“I think it’s important to get into the character for a film. See I’m the kind of person who enjoys her imperfection! I put on 27 kilos for the role and nobody knew why! We live in a world where people will always bother you and taunt you for your complexities. Fortunately, I have a good support system at home that always boosted me and I did come right through it. Eventually it also paid for the film as well.” says Bhumi on her overweight character in her first film.

On her recent success, the actress was overwhelmed with the response to her film and says her motive was to make people aware by doing such a film!

“I did Toilet: Ek Prem Katha because it was a socially relevant film and it’s the need of the hour! We need to make people aware of the on-going scenario of the nation and what we can do to make it better. Yes, I’m selective with my roles but I don’t do films thinking that it will gross Rs.100 crores or I’m working with a big star like, Akshay Sir.” Bhumi says.

The actress has future projects on her list but for now it’s all Shubh Mangal Saavdhan for her.

“I do have future projects after this film. But it would be more authentic if the filmmakers talk about it. The year was lucky for me and there is still to see what else is there in store for me! So future projects will only be revealed in the future. But for now it’s all about Shubh Mangal Saavdhan,” the actress adds.