Bhumi Pednekar took a 9-month acting hiatus

Actress Bhumi Pednekar has disclosed that severe online trolling following the release of 'The Royals' prompted a nearly nine-month hiatus from acting. This period of intense backlash led her to reassess her professional and personal identity, culminating in a voluntary break from film sets.

Pednekar described feeling emotionally drained and losing touch with her sense of self as an actor and individual. The experience necessitated a step back to identify constructive feedback amidst the noise and bots. She confirmed her last day on set was in June, emphasizing the break was a deliberate and beneficial personal choice.

Beyond film shoots, she significantly reduced her industry and media exposure, declining award shows and fashion events. This deliberate isolation allowed her to confirm her ability to thrive independently.

Her time off was dedicated to self-reflection, reading, film study, travel, and a course at Harvard University. Confronting insecurities, she revisited her past work, questioning her acting capabilities due to a lack of fresh experiences to draw from.

Pednekar acknowledged the insulating nature of the film industry and expressed gratitude for the 'The Royals' experience, which helped her reconnect with herself as both a person and an actor. She is now geared up for her next project, 'Daldal,' scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Video on January 30, 2026.