“Being Repeated by a Director is the Biggest Compliment”, Yaaneea Bharadwaj on Maa, Her Powerful Roles, and the Love That Fuels Her

Mumbai:

Yaaneea Bharadwaj’s journey from the peaceful valleys of Himachal Pradesh to the lively realm of Indian cinema is a tale filled with determination, passion, and a clear sense of purpose. As an actor who dives deep into every role, Yaaneea is quickly becoming a name that stands out—not just for her performances, but for the genuine emotion she infuses into each character.

She kicked off her career in theatre, gracing the stages of renowned venues like NCPA and Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai. “Theatre was my training ground. It taught me everything—discipline, energy, truth,” she reflects on those formative years. This strong foundation has played a crucial role in shaping her nuanced presence on screen.

Her first appearance on screen was in Zoya Akhtar’s celebrated series Made in Heaven, where she portrayed Sukhmani, a vibrant and unapologetically bold Punjabi girl. This role marked a significant turning point for her. “I had to gain weight for the character, and I had just 10–15 days to nail the dialect. It was intense, but I cherished every moment,” she recalls. The audience’s response to her performance was swift, and opportunities in casting began to unfold.

However, it was her haunting transformation in the horror film Chhorii that truly established her as a talent to watch. Playing Suneni (Choti Maai), a ghostly figure haunting a pregnant woman, Yaaneea endured physically demanding shoots—spending hours in prosthetic makeup and working under tough conditions. “I actually ended up in the hospital because of the heat and layers of makeup. But I’d do it all over again,” she says with a grin. This role earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a moment she still describes as surreal.

Around the same time, she was honored as one of NFDC’s “75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow,” a prestigious recognition aimed at highlighting emerging talent in Indian cinema. She also received a Best Actress nomination at the Paris All Women Awards for her role in a short film, further solidifying her growing presence beyond Indian screens.

Her latest project, Maa, showcases her in a completely different light—Purohita, a woman wrongfully accused of murdering a baby. “It’s such a powerful role. It really takes a toll emotionally, but the writing is just beautiful. What resonated with me the most is that, in the end, she’s exonerated. There’s a subtle sense of redemption in her journey,” she shares. In the film, she shares the screen with Kajol, although they never actually filmed together. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have any scenes together, so I didn’t get to interact with her much. But just being part of the same project was thrilling.”

Maa also marks her second collaboration with director Vishal Furia, following Chhorii. “When a director chooses to work with you again, it shows they have faith in your abilities. That’s the highest praise for an actor,” she reflects. In Maa, Yaaneea had the challenging task of carrying a baby through most of her scenes—an emotionally and physically taxing experience that made her acutely aware of every little movement.

Away from the camera, Yaaneea is a force to be reckoned with—fierce, inquisitive, and full of depth. She’s trained in various weapons, especially swords and nunchaku, and once appeared in a commercial with Hrithik Roshan, showcasing her nunchaku skills. A basketball enthusiast and a passionate movie lover, she makes it a point to watch at least one film every day. “Cinema is my lifeblood. Watching films teaches me more than any class ever could,” she says.

With Maa, Gulkanda Tales alongside Pankaj Tripathi, and a host of other exciting projects on the horizon, Yaaneea Bharadwaj isn’t just on the rise—she’s making her mark with quiet strength. Whether she’s portraying a ghost, a priestess, or the girl-next-door, she approaches each character with a sincerity that resonates. And if her journey so far is any indication, this is just the beginning of many more stories she’s eager to share.