Actress and dancer Bhavna Pani has always explored different sides of creativity through her work. In a candid conversation, Bhavna opened up about the filmmaker she dreams of collaborating with, the careers she could have chosen outside acting and dancing, and how she looks at the changing audition process in the entertainment industry.
Bhavna Pani On Her Dream Director
When asked which filmmaker she would love to work with, Bhavna did not have to think twice. She named Sanjay Leela Bhansali and explained why his approach to cinema connects with her artistic sensibilities.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali, definitely. My aesthetic sensibilities and my understanding of art identify hugely with his cinema. I believe films should transport us into the universe of their characters, and his films create this grand canvas where the story almost becomes a physical, visceral experience,” she said.
Bhavna added that what attracts her most to Bhansali’s films is the way he builds an entire world around his characters. “Cinema is, of course, a visual medium, but Bhansali’s cinema somehow feels like a physical experience. That ability to completely immerse an audience into the world he creates is something I deeply admire, and it would be an incredible experience to be part of that universe,” she shared.
Bhavna Pani Reveals Her Alternate Career Choices
While acting and dancing became her professional path, Bhavna has another strong interest that could have taken her in a completely different direction. She revealed that she could have become an astronaut or a teacher.
“I would probably have been an astronaut or a teacher. I love science and astrophysics, so becoming an astronaut would have been a natural choice for me,” Bhavna said.
She also explained her interest in teaching and working with young people. “At the same time, I love nurturing young minds and supporting the youth in developing their own unique ways of thinking. Teaching, for me, would be one of the most meaningful ways to do that.”
Bhavna Pani On Social Media And Auditions
The actress also shared her thoughts on the growing role of social media following in casting. With online popularity sometimes becoming a factor in casting decisions, Bhavna believes actors need to focus on what they can control.
“I don’t think it is right, but at the same time, I can’t fight or change the system or the trend. As actors, I think we have to find ways to navigate the situation rather than allow it to discourage us,” she said.
For Bhavna, the focus should remain on improving one’s craft rather than worrying about every rejection. “The best thing we can do is concentrate on giving really good auditions, not take rejections personally and look at every audition as an opportunity to hone our skills, without attaching ourselves to a specific outcome.”
She concluded by sharing the philosophy that keeps her grounded: “For me, it is about continuing to do the work. Karm karo, phal ki chinta mat karo – that has always been my motto.”
