Bhumi Pednekar opens up about emotional struggle and self-doubt in Daldal

Ahead of the release of Amazon Prime Video’s psychological crime thriller Daldal, Bhumi Pednekar has spoken candidly about the intense emotional and mental journey she experienced while portraying the lead character. 

The Hindi-language series, set to premiere on January 30, 2026, features Bhumi as DCP Rita Ferreira, a haunted Mumbai cop investigating a serial killer while confronting the trauma of her own past.

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‘I Had to Unlearn Myself’: Bhumi on Playing Rita Ferreira

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Bhumi revealed that stepping into the role required her to unlearn many of her acting instincts. Unlike her previous characters, Rita is restrained, stoic and largely silent. “She has so much restraint. She’s not physically expressive or verbose,” Bhumi shared, admitting that the role initially left her feeling creatively restricted. Accustomed to emotionally heightened performances, she said she felt “very, very disabled on set.”

Self-Doubt and Creative Discomfort on Set

The discomfort intensified about ten days into the shoot, as self-doubt began to creep in. Bhumi confessed that she struggled to understand how to portray a character who expressed so much through silence. She even admitted to feeling jealous of other characters who were more expressive and dramatically written. At one point, she questioned her own ability to do justice to the role, repeatedly expressing her uncertainty to the makers.

Understanding Silence as Suppression

Over time, Bhumi realised that Rita’s silence was not emptiness but emotional suppression. She noted that her character shared several traits with the antagonist, with the only difference being her choice of a righteous path. The actress credited the creators for maintaining the integrity of the character, adding that the depth of Rita Ferreira would not have translated on screen without the right team behind the project.

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About Daldal

Daldal is based on Vish Dhamija’s novel Bhendi Bazaar and is created by Suresh Triveni. The series follows DCP Rita Ferreira as she investigates a brutal serial killer in Mumbai while battling patriarchy, guilt and personal trauma. The show also stars Aditya Rawal and Samara Tijori and promises a gripping, psychologically intense narrative.