In a deeply personal and introspective conversation with The Pioneer, Bhoomika Meena pulls back the curtain on her portrayal of Seher in the Amazon MX Player series Chidiya Udd, revealing the emotional vulnerabilities and transformative experiences that fueled her performance
Tejal Sinha
Bhoomika Meena is a rising star in Indian cinema who boldly swapped a promising medical career for the magic of the silver screen. Born in Jaipur into a family of government doctors, her creative spark was ignited by her parents’ love for 90s films and legendary music icons. An academic achiever who even represented India in London after winning the Horlicks Wizkids contest, she left her medical studies at Safdarjung Delhi to pursue acting – earning notable roles in Chuhedaani (2022), Slum Golf (2023), and Dukaan (2024).
Now headlining the Amazon MX Player series Chidiya Udd alongside Jackie Shroff and Sikander Kher, Bhoomika opens up in an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer about her transformative role as Seher and the emotional journey behind it.
“Preparing for Seher was a very humbling experience,” she begins enthusiastically. “It allowed me to explore a whole new world of sex workers and made me empathize with someone that, to be honest, I was a little guilty of judging – or even worse, pitying.” She went on to explain that acting is “almost spiritual” because it gives actors the unique opportunity to embrace another human being fully. To capture Seher’s authenticity and depth, she immersed herself in documentaries and factual research on the lives of familial sex workers. “I devised her entire life story through discussions with Ravi sir, our director, which were very helpful,” she recalled. Additionally, she reached out to people in her native village in Rajasthan to better understand the contemporary relevance and social position of sex workers.
Discussing the surprising insights that shaped her performance, she recalled one particularly shocking revelation: “I watched a documentary where a five-year-old girl was being trained to dance – not for fun, but as a preparation to enter sex work when she grew older. In her community, marriage was considered a fate worse than prostitution because it meant losing independence to a husband. That completely changed how I saw Seher’s world.” For her character, sex work isn’t a mark of shame but rather a profession that affords her autonomy. “While society may perceive it as degrading, in her eyes, it’s her best chance at freedom,” she explained. She further described an unforgettable encounter during her research in Kamathipura: “I interacted with real sex workers – some were wary of me, some were amused that we were shooting there, and some openly shared their experiences. One woman told me, ‘Yeh kaam karna padta hai, par jeena toh apni marzi se hai’ [We have to do this work, but we live on our own terms]. That resilience stayed with me. The energy of a place transmutes something to you; my intention was to absorb the essence of that environment.”
When asked about balancing vulnerability and resilience in portraying Seher, Bhoomika said she naturally connected with the character’s duality. “I related with the warrior in her who still has her inner child alive. Honestly, that is pretty much me – yes, I am very ambitious and driven, but I also look at the world like a dreamy, curious child. So exploring the vulnerable yet resilient side came very naturally to me.” She described Seher as someone who is deeply trusting – making her prone to heartbreak – yet she refuses to wallow in self-pity. “I tapped into my own vulnerabilities from the times I felt lost in a new city, uncertain about my choices, but also my determination to push through,” she explained. Physically, Bhoomika was meticulous: “I had to ensure my body language reflected her internal battle. In emotional scenes, I allowed myself to feel her pain completely, while in moments of defiance, I made sure her spirit remained unbroken. It was all about honouring her humanity in every scene.”
The demands of the role meant that both physical and emotional intensity were constant companions on set. Bhoomika recalled, “I approached the toughest moments on set by giving myself to them completely, with absolute honesty. There was no ‘overcoming’ in the conventional sense – each challenge enriched me as an actor and as a person.” She elaborated that as an actor, playing it safe is never an option; she strives to give her all because that’s the only recipe for creating magic. One scene, in which Seher had to cater to ten customers in a single day, proved particularly taxing. “Stepping into that mindset was emotionally draining, but I gave it everything I had. When Ravi sir called out ‘got it,’ the entire crew erupted into applause. He even came over personally to appreciate my performance – that moment made all the intensity worth it.” Meena also described the challenges of shooting on location in Kamathipura, where real crowds and interactions with actual sex workers added to the authenticity of the set. “At times, someone would comment that our shoot was affecting their business! These interactions made the setting feel incredibly real and reinforced my responsibility to tell this story authentically.”
Despite the emotional toll of inhabiting such a layered character, she maintained that her overwhelming sense of gratitude fueled her through the long, hectic days. “I was living my dream – playing the lead in a big show and challenging myself every single day. Forget unwinding; I felt nourished by the experience.” Discipline played a key role, too. “Even with day-and-night shifts, I made sure to meditate religiously – both before going to bed and before leaving for the set. Yoga has been a pivotal anchor in my life, contributing to my growth as an actor and as an individual. It kept me centered and energized.”
Looking back on the moment she was cast as Seher, she described it as a culmination of a deep personal journey. She recalled her first audition in early 2021, right after the lockdown, which initially did not lead anywhere. Months later, the project resurfaced through Parag Mehta Casting. Although she hesitated at first – having already tested for the role – she had by then undergone significant personal and professional growth. “I had done workshops with The Artist Collective and Adishakti, and even experienced spiritual growth through trips to places like Thiruvannamalai and Arunachalam. I came back with a newfound sense of self-belief and decided to give the audition another shot.” When her audition finally garnered an overwhelmingly positive response – with Parag calling her the very next day and a series of subsequent meetings following – every roadblock, from date clashes to delays, somehow fell into place.
When reflecting on the many auditions and projects that preceded Chidiya Udd, she emphasised that what might seem like a sign from the universe was, in fact, the result of a relentless preparation meeting opportunity. “I was focused on becoming the best version of myself so that when the opportunity arrived, I would be ready. When Chidiya Udd came back to me for the third time, it was like everything aligned. It wasn’t just about luck or timing; it was about years of preparation.”
Going ahead with the conversation, she addressed what makes Chidiya Udd stand out in today’s OTT landscape. “I think what really makes Chidiya Udd stand out is its unapologetic woman protagonist at its core,” she explained. “She shakes a world dominated by men, completely disrupts it, and stands tall in front of the most powerful goons, played by Jackie Shroff, Sikandar Kher, and Madhur Mittal. Her strength and determination are unmatched, and her story will empower anyone who thinks they are weak.”
Bhoomika shared one particularly memorable anecdote about Jackie Shroff: “There’s a day on set I’ll never forget. It was chaotic – people rushing around and confusion everywhere – when suddenly, Jackie sir let out this deep, commanding shout in his signature Bombay style. Within seconds, the entire set fell silent. It was like watching a lion roar in the jungle! That moment showcased not only his strong presence but also his warmth and humility. Despite being such a star, he always had kind and encouraging words for everyone. The biggest lesson I learned from him is to stay grounded, no matter how big you become.” She fondly recalled celebrating their birthdays together – both being Aquarians with birthdays just a day apart – and how Jackie even gifted her a little plant, a thoughtful gesture that has stayed with her. Another vivid memory was an intense action sequence shot during rains and thunder, where the set transformed into a celebratory space with cake, desserts, and even jam sessions, creating a sense of camaraderie that lingered long after the shoot.
Discussing her collaboration with Sikandar Kher, Bhoomika recounted a light-hearted moment from a previous project. “We’d worked together on a film where I had a cameo, and after our shot, we were casually chatting. I wasn’t yet officially on board for Chidiya Udd – I was one of three shortlisted actors. I subtly asked him if he was working on the show, and though he played it cool, I could sense his excitement. Then, when I eventually joined Chidiya Udd as the lead, he was pleasantly surprised and warmly congratulated me.”
