2024-09-15 23:58:21
Known for meaningful cinema, Bhumi Pednekar is as committed to her roles as she is conscious about Hindi. On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, she is telling how her relationship with Hindi developed over the years and how Hindi has nurtured her. Sharing her childhood memories about Hindi, Bhumi says, ‘Hindi is the most widely spoken language in our country. Actually, when I was growing up, I consider myself lucky and want to thank my mother for enrolling me in a school where Hindi was compulsory. I can feel proud that among my contemporaries, I can read and write Hindi. Everyone can speak, but not everyone can read and write. I think my Hindi can improve further.’
Relationship with Hindi developed in school
Remembering her school days, Bhumi says, ‘My first connection with Hindi was in school itself. This was the time when I felt that perhaps I would enjoy acting, because my teacher used to ask me to read Hindi lessons in class. Many times they were Hindi stories. I remember, I had read Idgah. I have a very clear memory. I have read many other stories in class, but I remember reading Idgah with full attention and emotion. After reading that story, I was praised a lot in the class. Our Hindi teacher Geeta Maam praised me a lot. Since then, I had developed a love for Hindi and Hindi stories. We used to perform Hindi plays on the school’s annual function. We went to an RSS school, where Hindi and Sanskrit were given a lot of importance. After coming to college, whenever I got a chance, I would reach the stage, be it a play or dance or singing.’
Monologue on Hindi story in audition
Bhumi further says, ‘As I said, even in college I was known for being ahead in all cultural activities. Last year when I went to my school and met my teachers, they also told other students how I used to participate freely in drama and Hindi programs. It is also not less interesting that the story of Premchand ji named Bade Bhai Saheb which I had read in school had a deep impact on me. When I was auditioning for my acting class, I had to participate in the To Get Into Audition class and then they gave me a monologue from Premchand’s story ‘Bade Bhai Saheb’, on which I had to perform. Here also I presented the monologue on this favorite story of mine with full attention, so this story became an indelible part of my life.
Hindi dominates online
On the flourishing form of Hindi online, Bhumi says, ‘This change has indeed been seen recently. Many of my contemporaries put captions in Hindi on their posts. There are many platforms where you can upload your literature or writing. We have a very rich, vast and rich heritage of our language, we should be proud of it. Our writers have left behind a legacy of amazing stories and writing. Amin, I hope that our generation and the coming generation can take advantage of it.’ On the question of whether Bhumi has ever tried to write a story or poem, she says, ‘I have never tried to write a poem or story, but I can write Hindi very fast. In Sachul, I used to get praise for completing the Hindi paper first. My handwriting was also worthy of praise. It is also no less interesting that I used to get more marks in Hindi in the Hindi and English papers. I like our stories very much and after doing this interview I realise that for many years I have not read as many Hindi writers as I used to read earlier, so thanks to you all for turning me towards this again.