Bhumi Pednekar recently revealed the reasons behind her 10-month sabbatical from acting while promoting her upcoming crime thriller, "Daldal". After a decade of continuous work in the film industry, the 36-year-old actress felt the need to step back and recharge, fearing that her performances were becoming "mediocre".

Pednekar described her state as feeling "depleted" and sensing a "slight corruption" creeping into her work. In an interview, she expressed that she felt a sense of emptiness and recognized the importance of taking a break to address it. She emphasized that she is an artist, not a factory, and it's crucial to deliver her best with every project.

The decision to take a sabbatical came after mixed reactions to her 2025 Netflix series "The Royals," where she starred opposite Ishaan Khatter. The actress confessed that the experience, coupled with a decade of relentless work, led to a period of "emotional depletion". This prompted her to step away from the spotlight to "experience life again," study at Harvard, and watch films.

Pednekar emphasized that her break was driven by a quest for longevity in her career. She acknowledged the pressure on female artists in the industry to take on multiple projects due to financial constraints, noting that they often don't have the luxury of doing one film every two years. She stated that she needed to return to doing films for the reason she started: her love for it.

Now, Pednekar is returning to the screen with "Daldal," a psychological crime thriller set to premiere on Prime Video on January 30. In the series, she plays Rita Ferreira, a cop tracking a serial killer in Mumbai. The intense role required her to confront past traumas, making it a journey of both professional and personal redemption. She also said that "Daldal" is the polar opposite of her OTT debut series "The Royals".

"Daldal" is expected to captivate audiences with its unique narrative approach. Pednekar's return to acting is highly anticipated, with many eager to see how her sabbatical has influenced her performance and approach to her craft.