MS Dhoni’s reel sister ready for new innings in Bollywood, says Bhumika Chawla

Bhumika Chawla burst onto the Bollywood scene with her debut in Tere Naam, alongside Salman Khan. Expected to have a smooth sailing career graph post the movie, Bhumika went through a rough patch, with a series of flops. Her last outing was back in 2007, with Gandhi, My Father. Now, the actress is back to Bollywood with M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, where she plays Dhoni’s sister. In a quick chat, she talks about her long sabbatical from Hindi cinema, the reason behind her sudden downfall, working in the South, and more:

You’ve done a Hindi film after nine years. What took you so long I’m working down South in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industries. The Hindi films I was offered didn’t materialise, and they were films that didn’t excite me. I was looking for a great combination of good films that are exciting and work out well for me.

Family was your most commercially viable film in those times, but that failed too. Were you banking on it for your sustainability Even after Family, I had so many projects in the South I was working on. It wasn’t like that, since I signed these projects much before I did Family. I think I didn’t get anything exciting post Gandhi, My Father.

Do you think you’d have remained in Bollywood had your films worked Definitely. If you have a blockbuster each Friday, then why not (Laughs) If I’m doing well today, there are 20 projects in line behind me. Sometimes your films don’t do well, despite having a big star cast, renowned directors and producers. In a short span of time, I worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. I was blessed.

Have you met them post your movies together No, I haven’t met any of them. It’s been really long.

What brought you back to Bollywood with M.S. Dhoni I got a call from casting director, Vicky Sidana. It’s good to imagine that of 20 years later, kids want to know about the life of Dhoni, they will watch this movie. I’m part of it as his sister, who is a strong support system to Dhoni. Working with Neeraj sir (Pandey, director) was a double bonanza.

Do you feel M.S. Dhoni will open up doors for you Yes, I think so. I have faith and confidence. I believe good things will happen for me, henceforth. This is like a silver lining in the clouds.

Is Bollywood more challenging than the South industries Every industry has its own charms and specialities. But, at the moment, Bollywood has been experimenting a lot more with its movies.

Do you believe Bollywood has more scope for women-centric films, compared to the South I feel so. Look at Vidya Balan. She’s done The Dirty Picture, Kahaani and more such good films. I think Bollywood is experimenting like never before.

How were things for you back when you saw instant success and then a quick downfall Back then, I never thought I was rising up or falling down. I never vent out my feelings to anyone. I was pretty okay with my life and I was enjoying it. Coming from an army background, and then getting to work with people like Salman Khan was good.

What are your thought son social media in today’s times When I talk, I talk. Apart from that, I’m happy in my sweet little cocoon. I have my own life and I’ve always been safe from the social media scrutiny, since I’m still away. However, on the sets of M.S. Dhoni, Anupam Kher sir pushed me to join Twitter. He made me realise the power of being an actor. People want to listen to you, and that can make a difference.