Bhumi Pednekkar says OTT platforms are giving stronger roles to women; Actor says women have always been more courageous

Actor Bhumi Pednekkar shared how OTT platforms are creating stronger opportunities for women in Indian cinema, allowing them to explore more diverse and courageous roles.Speaking at the ongoing International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026, she said, "I feel with OTT, especially for women, the narrative has become a lot stronger, because a lot of those shows, a lot of those films are led by women... Absolutely, women have always been a lot more courageous and brave while choosing their scripts. OTT just gives them the right platform." Pednekkar, who attended the festival alongside filmmakers and actors, praised Delhi for hosting the event. "Delhi, of all the places, really deserved an International Film Festival... The scale at which it's happening, the number of people attending, the talks, seminars, and films... everything is operating at such a high level. And this is only the first year," she said.On staying relevant in the industry, she added, "I think the biggest thing is that you should not stay relevant, you should just stay true to your craft, because relevance is very short lived. And it's exhausting. How long will you keep staying relevant? What's important is finding what your true talent is, understanding the artist in you. And constantly doing riyaz so that that never goes."Bhumi also spoke about the importance of health and self-care for women in the film industry, especially as they age. She explains that the physical demands of acting, like gaining or losing weight for a role, become more challenging over time because the body's ability to handle these changes decreases. She emphasised that at a certain stage, it's more important to prioritize overall health and well-being over strictly altering one's body for a role. "I was doing this for many years, where I was increasing my weight, reducing it. Now I have reduced it a little, because as a woman, as your age increases, your body's ability to take that weight gain and weight loss reduces. So now I prioritise my health and my body over the parts, because at some age, women have to start doing that," she added.Sharing advice for aspiring women actors, Pednekkar said, "Even now in India, we think the world of films is very dangerous, but it's not. Many women have become very capable in this world. If you have a dream, there will be many people who tell you 'no,' but you have to listen to that 'yes.' Always stay safe and know which people are right and which are wrong. Experience will teach you that." The IFFD is a week-long festival which began on March 25. It is taking place at Bharat Mandapam. It presents screenings, conversations, and industry engagements across venues in New Delhi, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world.