A gritty story, sensitive treatment, and a means to shed light on a larger issue—Bhakshak had almost everything that Bhumi Pednekar seeks in a movie. Today, as the Netflix release, which is inspired by the 2018 Muzaffarpur shelter home case and highlights the issue of child abuse, is among the platform’s top five films in India, the actor’s belief is reaffirmed. While many aspects of Pulkit’s directorial venture appealed to her, Pednekar says the fact that it put a woman as the leader of change was a big draw. “I’m passionate about my work, and every film of mine has a special place in my heart. Bhakshak is at the top of that heap because of its powerful story and because I play a woman who is the agent of change,” she states.

Be it Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Saand Ki Aankh (2019) or Badhaai Do (2022), the actor has played strong women who challenge the status quo. Bhakshak too sees her play a fearless journalist, who, along with Sai Tamhankar’s cop character, unearths the rampant child abuse that goes on in a shelter home in Bihar. In an industry where most stories of change are headlined by men, she is happy to bag this role. “Very few films in India empower women to be leaders of change, to be the ones who better society. I’ve always believed in playing women who are powerful, who empower fellow women to stand up against injustice, patriarchy, and are vocal about their rights and needs. I’m thrilled with the love that is coming my way. It tells me that I have picked the right project, and that people want to see me do meaningful stories.”