Bhumi Pednekar’s connect with Goa goes deeper than her beautiful Instagram posts. a rumor The actor’s paternal family belongs to Pedne (or Pernem) in North Goa, so she makes an annual visit to the Mauli temple, located in the compound of her ancestral home there. “My grandfather moved to Bombay when I was a child but we go to Pedne for the Ganpati festival and other occasions. “Goa has been an integral part of my growing up years,” says the 33-year-old actor.
Now, they have another reason to visit: the recently launched Kaya, the boutique stay overlooking Ashvem beach and the all-day bar they’ve invested in. The land sitting inside the restaurant expresses a sense of satisfaction. “I go to Goa at least four times a year but my travels have completely changed in the last few years. From partying on the streets of Bagha to living at this place in Ashwem, I really feel like life has come a full circle,” she says.
All Day Bar in Kaia | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
She has known her partners in this venture – Nikita Harisinghani, Dhaval Udeshi and Pawan Urban of Chrome Asia Hospitality (who also owns Eve, Shay, Demi and Donna Deli in Mumbai) – for many years and it seemed like a natural progression for her to be a part of a place that is rooted in the concept of slow living.
“When the Dhavals told me they were keen to make their first hotel venture as sustainable as possible, I was completely taken aback; Diversifying in this area didn’t seem strange at all. The F&B and hospitality sector is something that must have happened to me at some point and this felt like a perfect opportunity,” she says. Talking about her fascination for the region, she explains, “I am one who travels for culinary experiences. It’s half because I’m a foodie and half because experiences enrich me. I make sure that I travel constantly to relax, re-educate, gain knowledge and grow as a person.”
A dish from Kaia’s diverse menu that includes several breakfast options. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
It should come as no surprise that the actors — in addition to many other little details — were also involved in the design of the food menu. “The idea was to have a healthy and varied menu with lots of breakfast options. It should be in line with Kaia’s thoughts and hence, focus on food choices made from responsibly sourced produce,” she says.
The actor, who is a vegetarian, relishes Avial with mushroom masala and poe, pesaratu dosa, pancake and lemon rice made by chef Mohit Savargaonkar. At a lunch hosted for her friends the night before, she says Kerala Kozhi Chicken Curry and Harmal Chilli Prawns have emerged as clear winners among the non-vegetarian options.
An interior shot of a boutique stay overlooking Ashwem beach | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bhumi’s involvement in the partnership revolves around the ambiance and ethos the team is trying to create at Boutique Stay, which includes a 10-room boutique hotel, a four-bedroom villa, and an all-day dining bar and restaurant. “From the aesthetics to the books, the massage room that I really insisted on and the orthopedic mattresses on the beds—there’s a lot of thought behind this venture,” she says, adding that it’s much more than an investment. This is a business endeavor for her and she sees this as an opportunity to contribute towards a greener and more responsible future.
The actress is certainly making informed choices, be it her work on-screen or off-screen. She became the first brand ambassador of MAC Cosmetics India in 2021 and now, she has a limited edition lipstick with her name and signature on it. All proceeds from the sale of the lipstick will go to organizations that support women’s and girls’ rights, HIV/AIDS relief efforts, and the LGBTQIA+ community. “I feel strongly that everything I associate myself with should resonate with my belief system. As an investor and an entrepreneur, one of the things I support is green businesses,” she says.
Have a drink at Kaia, which has an all-day bar. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The self-proclaimed beauty and makeup lover believes that her associations should have some sense of giving back to society, which is why her MAC collaboration is so important to her. “Even with my other practices in life – whether it is my non-profit advocacy platform Climate Warrior or my future investment and equity deals that will now unfold over the next two to three months, they all fall into the category of disruptive technology,” she says, choosing her words carefully so as not to speak too much.
When it comes to her on-screen work, Bhumi – who rose to prominence from her debut as an overweight bride Dum laga ke haisha In 2015 – has emerged as a thoughtful individual’s actor with his performances in films like Sonchiriya, bull’s eye, crowd And a rumor,
Kaia also includes a 10-room boutique hotel, a four-bedroom villa Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
She admits that her understanding of cinema has evolved over the years, and adds that she is less nervous now when she sees herself on screen. “I recently completed a film called eater by Red Chillies Entertainment and when I watched it recently, I could see the growth in myself as an actor,” she says, adding that she knows she has done something right when it is not Bhumi on screen but the character. Looks at “For example, in Sonchiriya And bull’s eye, These women were far away from me. In eaterI could see a certain maturity.
Stating that she approaches her performances with a critical eye and is strict with herself. The actor who also has films like my husband’s wife And the lady Killer In the pipeline, she shared that she would also love to experiment with longer format on digital platforms.
At the end of it all, Bhumi says she wants to leave a legacy behind, be it through her films or her investments. She concludes by saying, “I think it’s time for me to act and I’m just getting into it.”