Bhumi Pednekar breaks silence on The Royals backlash: ‘I went numb and took a nine-month break’

Actor Bhumi Pednekar has opened up about the emotional toll she faced after receiving harsh criticism for her performance in The Royals. 

In a candid interview, the actor reflected on the backlash, her decision to step away from acting, and how the break helped her reconnect with herself and her craft.

Also Read: Imran Khan to make his much-awaited comeback with Bhumi Pednekar! Check details

‘The Criticism Left Me Emotionally Depleted’

The Royals, which released in May 2025, received mixed reactions despite being a hit. Bhumi faced intense trolling online, along with some constructive criticism. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, she admitted that the experience left her numb and deeply shaken.

Bhumi revealed that the criticism pushed her to take some “drastic decisions” in 2025, the most important being a break from acting. “I didn’t announce it because I didn’t want to dramatise it,” she said, adding that she had completely lost perspective of who she was as both an actor and a person. She shared that she has not been on a film set since June and needed distance from the noise to identify voices that genuinely wished her well.

A Break That Changed Everything

The actor clarified that the nine-month break was a voluntary choice and one of the best decisions she made for herself. During this period, Bhumi focused on personal growth rather than professional pressure. She watched films, read extensively, travelled, and even took a course at Harvard.

Bhumi admitted she was scared she had run out of real-life experiences to bring into her performances. “I don’t ever want to be mediocre,” she said, revealing that she felt she had reached a point where she was no longer challenging herself creatively. To regain confidence, she revisited her past work and questioned her abilities, asking herself if she still had it in her to act.

Also Read: Upcoming OTT Releases: 5 Gripping Suspense & Thrillers To Watch

What’s Next for Bhumi Pednekar

While The Royals has been renewed for a second season, Bhumi is now preparing for her next project, Daldal. The Prime Video series, helmed by Amrit Raj Gupta, is based on Vish Dhamija’s bestselling book Bhendi Bazaar. Bhumi will be seen playing a police officer, marking a strong shift in roles.

The show also stars Samara Tijori, Aditya Rawal, and several seasoned actors. Daldal is scheduled to premiere on January 30, signalling Bhumi’s return after a transformative break.