Durgamati director G. Ashok: Bhumi Pednekar is like my sister from Bollywood

Durgamati director G. Ashok with Bhumi Pednekar (Photo/PR)

After exploring stories in the south film industry, filmmaker G. Ashok made his debut in Bollywood with the Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Durgamati: The Myth. The movie, which released on Amazon Prime Videos on December 11, 2020, received mixed reviews from critics as well as the audience. Ahead of his film's world television premiere, director G. Ashok reminisces some interesting moments from the shoot and his upcoming Bollywood projects.

Ashok recalls, "During the shoot breaks, Bhumi used to shout loudly to address and call people back at work. Her way of shouting was the most interesting and fun part of the day. She was totally the female Tarzan in the jungle of Durgamati with great energy and synergy."

G. Ashok believes Durgamati's World Television Premiere will help reach the ‘maximum' audience. "Due to unprecedented times, we, unfortunately, couldn't release the film in theatres. Durgamati's strength is its horror element. And horror is only enjoyed with good sound and darkroom like that of a theatre. However, Indian movie lovers love watching horror movies from home and I feel, Durgamati is a visual treat for everyone and will be loved by Bollywood fans across. I am certain that with the film's world television premiere, it will reach to a wider and right audience in the interiors of India. This is the right time when audiences will applaud the film and its performances."

Makers of Durgamati, with the film's lead actress Bhumi Pednekar

The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Akshay Kumar and Vikram Malhotra under the banners T-Series, Cape of Good Films and Abundantia Entertainment. Watch the World Television Premiere of Durgamati on Sony MAX on March 28 at 8 PM. Arshad Warsi, Jisshu Sengupta, Mahie Gill and Karan Kapadia play a pivotal role in the film, which is a remake of his 2018 thriller Bhaagamathie. In the film, Bhumi Pednekar essays the character of a noble IAS officer who is on a mission to seek justice for a civilian but gets embroiled in a tricky conspiracy. Her journey takes an alarming twist when she is arrested and questioned by the police for a murder charge.

Speaking about his camaraderie with Bhumi, he said, "For the lead character in the film, I wanted a performer who can pull off the show alone. Bhumi is known for the variety that she brings in her characters and the films that she owns. She had to be the perfect choice for Durgamati. Bhumi is like my sister in Bollywood. We share a great level of bonding and understanding. It was much easier for me to work with her on this project. And I still believe that her versatile cannot be compared with any other female actor because Bhumi is a risk-taker as she is open to experimental roles. We have seen her coming up with a surprise."

Talking about his upcoming projects in Bollywood, Ashok mentioned, "I have always admired Bollywood film industry and felt that it has people with utmost dedication and passion to work. I would always say Bollywood is better than Tollywood. It has a discipline. I am definitely looking ahead to creating many more Bollywood films. In fact, I am already working on three projects which will be announced soon."