Bala actor Bhumi Pednekar says she is going to portray every character that comes her way even if she has to become a man. The film releases on November 11.

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar has been criticised for playing a dark-skinned character in her upcoming film Bala. The makers opted for an alcohol-based makeup to create her look, which made trolls ask why not give the part to someone who actually has the required skin tone.

The actor recently opened up about the backlash at a press conference in New Delhi.

“For Dum Laga Ke Haishaa, I gained 30 Kgs. For Saand Ki Aankh, I went through transformation as well. I am an actor. I will transform myself as and when required. I honestly think it is the direction’s vision and producer’s prerogative on who they want to take. As an actor, I am going to portray every character that comes my way even if I have to become a man,” Bhumi Pednekar said.

She continued, “I am not a conventional heroine myself. Times are changing. Cinema is celebrating womanhood. I did Bala because of exactly that. There is not a moment when we are making fun of someone’s colour. This girl is, in fact, empowering other girls. She breaks every sort of societal norm or stigma attached to skin tone in India.”

The actor said that she is being questioned why actors suited for certain characters are not being given the part since her last film Saand Ki Aankh.

“Why the makers did not take a suitable actor for the role – well, since my last film people have been asking me such questions. Basically, the fact is that there are not enough empowering roles written for female leads. Period. Let’s support these directors, writers and filmmakers who conceive strong female characters. I am an actor. I will do what is required. I don’t feel other actors are questioned about the same thing,” the Saand Ki Aankh actor said.

Soon Ayushmann Khurrana interrupted Bhumi Pednekar. He said, “I was not questioned why I was playing a bald man? The arguments will always be there but at the same time, it is the credibility of an actor that garners a lot of audience’s appreciation. Ultimately, it is a film business. You opt for an actor who is credible, sellable and Bhumi is a big name right now. She is a great actor. She fits the part and the vision of the director. It is a dream of the actor to transform and that will continue to happen.”

As Ayushmann concluded, Bhumi said she wouldn’t have existed in the industry had she not been doing such roles.

“I wouldn’t have existed had I not done these roles. I have really tried to get roles that make me look different. So, I am doing my part and I don’t think that is wrong,” Bhumi Pednekar said.

On a concluding note, Bhumi shared that she expects her film Bala to motivate people to celebrate themselves, however and whoever they are.

“I feel fortunate to be a part of a film like Bala because we hope after this film, people change the way they think and they celebrate who they are,” the Pati Patni Aur Woh actor said.

Bala, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar and Yami Gautam in the lead roles, will release on November 8.