Bhumi Pednekar on fashion, power, and her role as Sophia in 'The Royals'

Bhumi Pednekar isn't just known to blend into any character seamlessly, she seems to slay different styles and outfits as well. And she gave audiences exactly that on the recently-released Netflix series 'The Royals', where her portrayal of the fierce and fashionable Sophia left a lasting impact on audiences. From structured suits to embroidered lehengas, her wardrobe made just as strong a statement as her performance. 

The actor, in an exclusive interview with Harper's Bazaar India, speaks about channeling power through fashion, drawing from her own closet, and the personal evolution behind playing Sophia.

Harper’s Bazaar India: From power suits to pretty saris, Sophia’s outfits really stood out. How much of her fashion sense feels like your own?

Bhumi Pednekar: Well, there’s a lot of Sophia’s fashion that is an extension of me. In fact, there are some pieces from my own wardrobe that we have used in the show—a beautiful Vivienne Westwood skirt suit and an Alexander Warthier black gown among other different separates. The vision that Rangita (Pritish Nandy), my producer, along with Aastha (Sharma) and Rian, the stylists for the show, had was something that felt very personal to me. And so, I had the opportunity to open up my own wardrobe for it. It is the first time I am playing a character where my styling has been a talking point, but they truly comforted me. I did a lot of free-falling with them while creating the wardrobe and the look, and understanding why she wore those clothes.

HB: Each look, whether it was the suits, the white dress at the ball, the sari, or that embroidered lehenga at the fashion show, told a story. What do you think Sophia was trying to say through her clothes?

BP: I think what Sophia was trying to say through her fashion choices is that I’m strong, I’m powerful, and yet I’m feminine. I feel that many times when the communication around women is focused on glamour while they’re in a position of power, especially in a man’s world, there’s an expectation to desexualise them because that’s how you’re supposed to function. But in Sophia’s case, I think she completely owned her sexuality. She owned the fact that she would dress the way she wanted because it’s not about what she’s wearing, it’s about what she’s saying. And that’s something I deeply, deeply love. Again, that’s something I really resonate with because, as a thinking actor and because of my previous body of work, which was very different from 'The Royals', I’ve never shied away from my fashion choices. I think they empower me. They don’t take my power away.

HB: If there is a second season, what course would Sophia’s story take?

BP: If there’s a second season, I have no idea. I think, as always, I’m going to leave it to all the experts. But I really hope that the path Sophia has been on, where she’s standing her ground and at the same time being open to love, continues. To me, she really symbolises strength. I feel like a lot of girls would find representation in her journey, because we are not always vulnerable and when we are, it’s not a weakness. There are lines in the show where she tells Aviraj, "You know, I feel like I’m always up against the world", and there are so many times I’ve felt like that. I think one of people’s favourite things to do is tear women down because it’s so easy to do, unfortunately. But I really hope that Sophia, and the experiences in 'The Royals' and whatever we do in season 2, empower me and a lot of other girls.

HB: Everyone looked so stylish on the show. Were there any fashion tips or lessons you picked up during the shoot?

BP: Absolutely. I feel every character had a very unique sense of fashion and the stylists and creators really tapped into that. That’s why fashion is such a huge talking point in the show. One style I really, really enjoyed was Kavya’s who plays Jenny. She’s so unique in her approach, her choices, and everything that she does. I also really enjoyed Lisa’s style. I feel like she is probably the most relatable in the show, among all the characters. And what I particularly enjoyed the most were my scenes with her, because they captured sisterhood, friendship, just being there for each other which is rather lovely. I really feel like she brings an energy that’s important in a show so high on fashion.

HB: Your chemistry with Ishaan Khatter felt so natural. What was it like working so closely with him?

BP: I think when two capable actors work together, something exciting happens. Hoping 'The Royals' isn’t any different. Ishaan is a very good actor, and it shows in this series as well.

HB: You’ve done many different kinds of roles. Which one do you resonate with the most and which is the one closest to your heart?

BP: I think a character I resonated with the most has to be a mix of what I did in Thank You for Coming and Badhaai Do. I think both these pieces centered around themes of liberation, finding freedom, standing your ground, and being your most authentic self. And to me, these are things that really, really matter because I honestly have been on that path over the last decade. The kind of roles I’ve done have always reflected my pursuit of that liberation and freedom. And the character closest to my heart has to be from my first film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Because honestly, that girl changed me. She changed my approach to life. She made me fall a little more in love with myself and helped me deal with my insecurities. It’s a never-ending battle. As you grow older, the kinds of insecurities you deal with also change. Every few years, you need some kind of intervention and fortunately for me, my characters and my work give me that intervention.

HB:  You make switching between genres seem effortless. What is the behind-the-scenes process for you to prepare for roles across genres and characters?

BP: I think there’s nothing more powerful than the prep that goes in before starting a show or film. For me, it’s easier to jump between genres because everything is in the writing. There’s nothing stronger than the script. There’s nothing more important than writers and directors. That’s the difference that makes a show or film great, that makes it palatable and watchable. For me, all the credit goes to the support system I get with each project.

HB: What are you working on next? What can fans look forward to?

BP: Well, I’m doing a very, very exciting project with Netflix. I can’t speak about it yet, but I think it’s something that will really excite people. I’m shooting it as we speak. I also have my next show, a series with Amazon Prime that I’m headlining. Again, the genre is very different from The Royals. It’s a thriller called Dal Dal and it’s very high on performance. It’s a team I deeply love, so I’m really looking forward to that as well.

All images: Netflix

Also read: Inside 'The Royals': Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, and Vihaan Samat on power, privilege, and palace secrets

Also read: The remarkable evolution of Bhumi Pednekar

Also read: Bhumi Pednekar on her changing body and the importance of self love