Actor Bhumi Pednekar has never shied away from choosing unconventional roles, but even seasoned performers can feel shaken by public scrutiny. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhumi opened up about the emotional toll she experienced after receiving heavy criticism for her performance in The Royals, which was released in May 2025.
Despite the series being a commercial hit, the backlash surrounding her role deeply affected the actor, pushing her to take a rare and deliberate break from acting. Bhumi revealed that the criticism left her questioning her identity—not just as an actor, but as a person.
Facing Backlash After The Royals
Bhumi Pednekar admitted that the response to The Royals was overwhelming. While some feedback was constructive, a large portion came in the form of online trolling. The volume and intensity of criticism eventually led her to an emotional shutdown.
“There was a lot of trolling, but also some constructive criticism,” Bhumi shared. However, the constant noise began to blur her sense of self. She revealed that the experience left her “numb,” unable to process her emotions or perspective clearly.
“I Was Like, Can I Act?”
Perhaps the most striking confession Bhumi made was about the self-doubt that crept in after the backlash. She revealed that the criticism made her question her own abilities.
“I’d completely lost perspective of who I am as an actor, as a person — who is Bhumi?” she said. At one point, the self-doubt grew so intense that she found herself wondering whether she could act at all.
For an actor who has delivered critically acclaimed performances across genres, this moment highlighted how deeply public perception can impact even the most confident artists.
Taking a Quiet Break From Acting
In 2025, Bhumi made what she called a “drastic decision”—she stepped away from acting. Unlike many industry breaks that are publicly announced, Bhumi chose to keep hers private.
“I didn’t announce it because I didn’t want to dramatise it,” she explained. She described herself as emotionally depleted and in need of space to reflect, heal, and regain clarity.
Bhumi revealed that she hasn’t been on a film set since June 2025 and that the break was entirely voluntary.
Finding Herself Beyond the Screen
During her nine-month break, Bhumi focused on rebuilding her inner world. She immersed herself in activities that had nothing to do with box office numbers or social media opinions.
She spent time watching films—not as an actor analyzing performances, but as a viewer reconnecting with her love for cinema. She read books, travelled extensively, and even took a course at Harvard, using the time to expand her understanding of life beyond her profession.
Bhumi described this period as an opportunity to build a “bank of life experiences,” something she believes is essential for any artist.
Listening to the Right Voices
One of the most important steps during this phase, Bhumi said, was learning to filter feedback. Amid the noise of social media criticism, she consciously sought out people who genuinely wished her well and offered constructive advice.
“In that noise, I had to find people who were my well-wishers and who truly had something constructive to say,” she shared. This support system played a crucial role in helping her regain emotional balance and confidence.
“The Best Decision I Could Have Made”
Looking back, Bhumi Pednekar calls her break from acting the best decision she could have made for herself. Instead of rushing into another project, she chose introspection over immediacy.
Her honesty sheds light on the mental health challenges actors often face behind the glamour of success. Bhumi’s story resonates not just with artists but with anyone who has experienced burnout, self-doubt, or emotional exhaustion.
As she prepares to return to work with renewed clarity, Bhumi Pednekar’s journey stands as a reminder that sometimes stepping away is the most powerful way to move forward.
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