A bit of Bhumika’s booming life
Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—At a time, when new girls walk into Hindi films in the skimpiest of clothes, this actress made an unconventional debut in a glamourless, salwar kameez-clad role with Tere Naam. Having seen immense success down South, the actress is choosy about her Hindi films. In a free-wheeling chat, Bhumika Chawla talks about Family, her next release and her life in the film industry ...
Excerpts from the Interview:
Family - Ties of Blood is the much-awaited film from AB Corp Ltd and this is your first film with them. How excited or apprehensive were you while doing the film?
I wasn’t apprehensive at all. In fact, I had a great time. It was also a very good experience for me to be working with such big names from the Hindi film industry. This was my second film with Amitji after Dil Jo Bhi Kahey and it was a treat to work under the direction of Rajkumar Santoshi, a maker everyone wants to be associated with.
You seem to be the most fortunate actor to have worked with Amitabh Bachchan in two films out of your six Hindi films till date.
Yes, I consider it my privilege. (Smiles) I am the chosen one.
How did you feel when you had to face the camera with him for the first time?
We have become friends now. But my first shot for Dil Jo Bhi Kahey was with Amitji. As I played a doctor, in the scene, I had to tell him about his wife’s condition who had been hospitalised. I had rehearsed my lines thoroughly and when I was certain of not making an error, I walked onto the sets and was ready to give the shot. But when I came face to face with Amitji, I forgot my lines. I think this happens with everyone who comes within his proximity. Embarrassed, I apologised and said, ‘Please give me two minutes’. He replied, ‘Don’t worry. Take your time.’ I went to a corner, practiced my lines again and before going back to give the shot, thought to myself that there are two ways about doing it: either I make mistakes and go on giving 20 takes or think that I am facing another actor and not a big personality like Amitabh Bachchan. I thought the second one was a good idea and I went ahead. To everyone’s surprise, the shot was okayed in the first take and Amitji was impressed. He said, ‘Very good’.
You didn’t have any inhibitions about him after that. Of course not because after that we bonded and became good friends. But before that I was a little perturbed. Who isn’t? He is such a big name, a thorough professional and a great human being.
When I was shooting with Abhishek Bachchan for Run, not once did Amitji visit the sets which was quite surprising. So,I never had the privilege of meeting him then. My first meeting with him was when I was invited by Abhishek for holi at their house. Since I don’t party much and had just one Hindi release to my credit, nobody recognised me there. I went in quietly and introduced myself to Amitji. He was gracious and after sometime when I went back to say goodbye, he said, ‘My child, don’t leave so soon.