I am picky about my projects: Bhumi Pednekar

She made a successful debut last year with "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" but Bhumi Pednekar has taken things slow and the actress says she does not mind the gap as she is "picky" about her films.
Bhumi, 27, had to put on several kilos to look the part of an overweight girl, Sandhya, in her last film. The actress says her career is going as per her plan because she needed the time off to get into shape.
"Honestly I needed time to get back into shape. I was expecting this gap and whatever would have been my second film, it was supposed to start now. My life is going as per plan. I am a little picky about scripts. I have taken my own time to select my films. But things are unfolding the way I had planned," Bhumi told PTI.

The actress is currently shooting her second film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha", which also stars Akshay Kumar, in Nandgaon, Mathura.
The film is again set in a small town just like "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", which was shot in Haridwar but Bhumi says there is no similarity between Sandhya and her character from the upcoming film.
"I don't really think about getting typecast. If I can't give a different performance from 'Dum Laga..' then I am failing as an cator. This is more of challenge to me. Small town set films tell stories about the real Indian families. But there is no similarity between Sandhya and the role I am playing in this film."

Bhumi says "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" is a family entertainer with a strong social message, and she is very happy with the way the film is shaping up.

"The film is full of romance, extremely funny but at the same time it is very credible. It deals with real people. It is a family entertainer with a strong social message. I am very happy to be a part of it."
She may be working with Akshay in the film but Bhumi says working with A-list actors have never been a criteria for her when she became an actress. However, she says, she respects and understands the huge contribution that a superstar has in a film.

"I have a wish list of directors I want to work with. At the end of it, every story demands a certain type of cast and as long as the cast is doing justice to the script it is ok. I believe that we do have certain actors who bring in a lot to a film and I can't take that away from them. And working with one now I understand that. But as far as I am concerned, it not a criteria for me."
Calling working with Akshay a pleasant experience, Bhumi says she was inspired by star, especially his focus and hard work.

"Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" is directed by Tamil filmmaker RS Prassana. Bhumi is portraying a Punjabi girl in the movie and says she always wanted to play a 'Delhiwalli'.
"In the film, I am playing a Punjabi girl. She is someone everyone is going to connect with. She is a sweet simple Delhi 'patakhi'. I have been wanting to play a Delhi girl for a very long time. I have something in my head about how to play the character but to bring it on-screen is surely going to be a challenge."
After "Dum..." Bhumi and Ayushmann were signed on for film titled "Manmarziyan" but things did not work out and the project was shelved.

Bhumi says she is excited to finally work with her first and most favourite co-star in the Aanand L Rai production.
"I am extremely exited as me and Ayushmann have a great bond. It is an amazing project and the feeling to work with people you share good bond with is just amazing. Aanand sir and I also share a great rapport and we are looking forward to make a good film.
"I have a personal and professional bond with them and it is very exciting. It is a love story with a twist. It is not a run of the mill rom-com. Stories like this personally excite me a lot.