Bhumi: TYFC doesn’t support man vs woman debate

Bhumi Pednekar

recently discussed the state of

female-centric films

in the industry, noting that the last such movie that resonated well with audiences was ‘

Veere Di Wedding

’ (2018), starring

Kareena Kapoor Khan

and Sonam Kapoor. This film was a major success, raking in ₹130 crore globally. Bhumi drew attention to the unfortunate turn of events post the movie's success.

With the onset of the

COVID-19 pandemic

, there were financial constraints, leading to a dip in the production of women-led films.
Speaking about what makes her new film ‘

Thank You For Coming

’ stand out among others, Bhumi revealed that the film doesn't frame the narrative as a battle between genders. Instead, it delves into the omnipresence of patriarchy in society, affecting both men and women. She explained, "The movie employs 'orgasm' as a metaphor to highlight larger societal issues. It emphasizes that both genders can perpetuate patriarchal norms. At its heart, the film celebrates sisterhood and womanhood."
The actress also stressed the importance of authenticity in portraying the film's theme, especially when discussing female pleasure, emphasizing that avoiding or diluting the subject would defeat the movie's purpose.

Interestingly, ‘Thank You For Coming’ has been produced by Rhea Kapoor who was also the producer of ‘Veere Di Wedding’. Elaborating on this connection, Bhumi mentioned, “Post 'Veere Di Wedding,' the industry was inclining towards such narratives. However, the pandemic-induced lockdown diverted this trend. Despite these challenges, Rhea Kapoor dared to invest in 'Thank You For Coming', echoing similar vibes."

Although ‘Veere Di Wedding’ set a benchmark in 2018, last year witnessed another unexpected hit - Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, headlined by Alia Bhatt. This film garnered a little over ₹200 crore worldwide.

Bhumi also emphasized the timeless nature of quality cinema. Drawing from personal experience, she recalled her film ‘Saand Ki Aankh’, which managed to stay in theatres for 100 days despite competing against a blockbuster that earned ₹350 crore. Her film might have only collected ₹45 crore, but its endurance showcased that good cinema always finds its audience and leaves an indelible mark.
In ‘Thank You For Coming’, alongside Bhumi Pednekar, the film boasts a talented ensemble including Shibani Bedi,

Shehnaaz Gill

, Kusha Kapila, and Dolly Singh in important roles.