Here's how Aaditi Pohankar overcame her challenges to play Bhumika in Imtiaz Ali's 'She'

Nonika Singh

‘You don’t fit the part…’ a lesser actor would have been bogged down by these lines, uttered by none other than Imtiaz Ali, writer and show-runner of the series She. But Aaditi Pohankar not only read the script, auditioned for it and managed to bag the lead part of Bhumika Pardeshi in the much lauded web series. As Aaditi is ready with its second season, in an exclusive zoom interview, looking her glamourous best, she beams, “Bhoomi badal rahi hai.”

Interestingly, playing her has changed her immeasurably. Unlike other actors Aaditi believes, “You are living a character for a reason and I invest so much in it. It gets so close to me that I can’t be any different from the part I am etching. From Bhumi I have learnt tremendous courage and patience.”

Slipping into the part of Bhumi, a constable in the day and undercover agent in the guise of a prostitute was undeniably challenging, especially since the ‘now diffident, now courageous’ character is so complex and nuanced. She says, “It was like walking on a thin rope between two mountains.” Of course, prior to stepping into the shoes of Bhumi, Aaditi had little clue about how women constables behaved or even looked like. She did visit a chawl around her house to get the feel of her life. Besides, as her appetite for vada pavs took her to Vile Parle East, she noticed many constables. Watching them up, close if not personal, she found her Bhumi. Of course, add to it the fact that it is an exceptionally well written part. Coming from the balladeer of romance Imtiaz Ali best known for gossamer emotions of love, she like most of us was indeed taken aback that he had stepped into the world of crime and grime. But if you think there is little romance in the series or in her character she completely disagrees. She quips, “Now, romance will transcend further and find validation in Nayak’s attention for Bhumi.”

On the celebrated creator of the show, Imtiaz Ali, she shares, “He doesn’t talk much, is very liberal with actors and lets you explore the character whichever way you want. Why he would explore my mind as Bhumi.”

If Imtiaz is actor’s director, Aaditi is every inch a director’s actor, like a hush puppy ready to do whatever the director beckons. Among the two acclaimed directors Imtiaz and Prakash Jha that she has worked with, she can’t say who is the tougher taskmaster? But yes, she is mighty impressed by Jha sir, “How he manages to create on a mammoth scale, how he works with so many people yet keeps an eye on every small detail. The same is true for Imtiaz sir too. Both are clued into micro as well as the big picture. Just by their smiles or smirks, you know you have done your part well or not.”

Between Pammi of Aashram and Bhumi of She, again she would not like to pick up a favourite, “It’s like one of those questions on Koffee With Karan, whether you would like to work with a Salman or Shah Rukh Khan. All I can say is both parts have helped me grow as an actor.”

With two successful shows, Aashram and She, under her belt, how much has Aaditi changed after tasting the sweet elixir of success and fame? She answers like a pro, “Success should have nothing to do with your personality. You should know your reality as a person. Otherwise it will restrict you from playing other parts. Success should make you a better person and a better actor.”

Riding high on the wave of success, she would neither be stuck in the energy of bygones nor make any plans. But future does include out and out romantic films. Meanwhile, you can look out for the romantic turn in the second season of She (streaming on Netflix today) which, of course, will take you on a rollercoaster ride, thrilling and chilling you to the bone.