Chidiya Udd & Beyond: Bhoomika Meena’s Journey from Medicine to Movies
True potential always finds its way, breaking barriers and defying expectations Bhoomika Meena’s story is a shining example of this belief—a young girl who dared to step into uncharted territory, fueled by her passion and perseverance. With unwavering determination, she carved her own path, proving that talent, when nurtured with dedication, knows no limits.Bhoomika’s journey from medicine to acting is nothing short of a Bollywood script! A Jaipur girl from a family of government doctors, she was all set to don the white coat after studying medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi. But destiny had bigger plans!
Today, Bhoomika is making waves as the lead in ‘Chidiya Udd’ on Amazon MX Player, alongside legends Jackie Shroff and Sikander Kher. She’s already impressed audiences with Chuhedaani (2022), Slum Golf (2023), and Dukaan (2024), but Chidiya Udd is her biggest moment yet. So, how did she swap medical books for movie scripts? Bhoomika always had an artistic streak, shaped by her parents’ love for 90s Bollywood and legendary music icons. From school dramatics to winning the Horlicks Wizkids contest and representing India in London, she was always drawn to the stage. But breaking the family’s doctor legacy wasn’t easy. “I fought battles at home, but my heart knew where I belonged,” she says. Mumbai wasn’t a cakewalk—finding a home, surviving auditions, and facing rejection tested her. But Bhoomika’s relentless spirit paid off. “Every ‘no’ made me stronger. I trained harder, built my craft, and now, I’m here.” Working with Jackie Shroff was a dream come true. “He’s Bidu for a reason—so warm and encouraging!” she gushes. With Chidiya Udd streaming and audiences asking for Season 2, Bhoomika’s moment has arrived.
And What’s next? “Bigger, bolder roles and a dream to play Meera Bai one day,” she smiles. Bhoomika Meena—remember the name, because this rising star is here to stay! High On Persona got candid with Bhoomika about her work, lifestyle, food, travel, and everything in between.
HOP: You come from a family of government doctors and were pursuing medical studies—what made you take the leap into acting?
BHOOMIKA: A desire to live life to the fullest. Deep down, I had always wanted to be an actor—I just lacked the courage to accept it. Even though I was academically good, my heart was in performing arts. The creative person in me wasn’t being fulfilled while studying medicine. You know the concept of ikigai—where passion, talent, and purpose align? Acting was that for me. Everything came together; the only thing missing was the courage to take the leap. Hard work never scared me, so I just had to trust myself, burn all bridges, fight a few battles with my family, and move to Bombay. And well… here I am.
HOP: Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realize medicine wasn’t your true calling?
BHOOMIKA: It wasn’t a sudden realization but a phase of deep introspection. While excelling in medical school, I felt something was missing. Books by Rhonda Byrne, Napoleon Hill, and Tim Ferriss shifted my perspective on success—I began questioning if I was truly thriving or just playing it safe. I isolated myself, searching for answers, even asking the universe to show me my path. After my final exams, a Vipassana retreat gave me clarity—acting wasn’t just a passion, it was my calling. I took small but firm steps—reading about acting, finding auditions, connecting with industry people, stepping into professional theatre & then eventually moving to Mumbai. That’s how my journey began.
HOP: How did your family react when you decided to pursue acting instead of becoming a doctor?
BHOOMIKA: They were shocked, especially my mother. Coming from a small village, everything she achieved was through education and becoming a doctor. For her, medicine was a secure, stable path—one that could uplift our family. Anything outside of it felt like a risk, so my decision to leave it terrified her.
I was always the good kid who made her proud, so seeing her cry because of me was heartbreaking. But before making this choice, I had gone through intense introspection. I had pleaded with God—”Just tell me my path, and I promise I will commit to it fully, no matter what.” When I found my answer, it felt like my biggest victory, won after deep internal battles. And I am a person of my word.
Her tears, anger, and fear were painful, but my commitment to my dream was unshakable. Ironically, the very strength and determination that helped me stand my ground came from my parents—the way they raised me. They instilled in me the courage to fight for what I believe in, even when it’s difficult. And that’s exactly what I did. Over time, my mother saw my dedication. When she visited the Chidiya Udd set and saw the craft behind the work, she finally understood. Now, she’s my biggest supporter, proud of the path I’ve carved for myself.
HOP: Your role in Chidiya Udd is quite intense. How did you prepare for it, and what drew you to this project?
BHOOMIKA: Honestly, I feel this role was preparation meeting destiny! As an actor, preparation begins long before a role arrives. I trained rigorously and refined my craft to ensure that whenever an opportunity came, I was ready to deliver. To understand Seher, I had to dive into a world far removed from my own. I watched documentaries, discussed familial sex work with mentors and my director, Ravi Jadhav. One documentary made me realize that in their community, sex work was considered a means to independence as opposed to marriage. It was shocking but helped me grasp Seher’s reality. Despite her harsh circumstances, Seher’s fearless spirit resonated with me. Like her, I came to Mumbai from nowhere, facing challenges head-on with faith in my mother’s blessings and God. That belief, that inner fire, became my anchor for the role.
HOP: The show features industry veterans like Jackie Shroff and Sikander Kher—how was the experience of working alongside them?
BHOOMIKA: Absolutely wonderful. Despite being veterans, they bring such humility and freshness to their craft. Jackie sir is warm, welcoming, and instantly makes you feel like family, which is why he’s called Apna Bidu. His encouragement meant the world to me. Sikander sir and I had an interesting connection even before Chidiya Udd. We worked together on Dukaan, where I played his daughter. During that time, I was in talks for Chidiya Udd but hadn’t been finalized. When I casually asked him about his upcoming projects, he mentioned Chidiya Udd. Cut to a few months later, I was on set as the lead, and he was taken by surprise!
HOP: Chidiya Udd is now streaming! How are you feeling about the audience’s response so far?
BHOOMIKA: I am overwhelmed with gratitude. The love pouring in, especially from audiences and industry insiders, means everything to me. People are asking for Season 2, critics are appreciating my performance, and my mentors are proud. I love acting, and to be recognized for my work is incredibly fulfilling. Thank you, thank you, thank you, God!
HOP: Many say breaking into Bollywood without connections is tough—what has your experience been like?
BHOOMIKA: Breaking into Bollywood? I don’t know. My sole focus has always been to build the life of my dreams regardless of any notions. And in doing that, I’ve deepened the most invaluable connection—the one with myself.
You could have the strongest ties with the most powerful people in the world, but if your relationship with yourself is weak, you won’t go far, that’s what I believe. There have been difficult times, moments of complete solitude, where I had no one to turn to. But that’s what life is about—finding your inner strength. If I had chosen an easier path, I wouldn’t have discovered this depth within me. And for that, I am grateful.
Besides, I don’t want my life to be easy, I want it to be profound, I want it to be a blockbuster!
I came to Bombay with nothing but a dream. And today, as I carve out my own space, step by step, I know I belong. Not because of connections, but because I have built a connection with myself that no challenge can shake.
HOP: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first moved to Mumbai?
BHOOMIKA: When I moved to Mumbai, I was starting from scratch—not just without support, but with anti-support from home. I was committed to my dreams, but I was scared. And fear has a way of manifesting into hardships.
Finding a safe place to live was one of my first struggles. The first house I rented turned out to be a bad experience, and I had to vacate suddenly, with nowhere to go. It shook me. Thankfully, help came in unexpected ways—a friend of a friend took me in, and I found myself sharing space with five other girls. It was temporary, but it gave me a sense of belonging in the city.
Then there was coming to peaceful terms with my family, managing finances, finding work—each a challenge in its own way. But even in the hardest moments, when I was crying or overwhelmed, a voice inside me would say, Koi baat nahi, yeh sab baad mein kahaniyan banengi. And now, I see it clearly—none of it was random. God was preparing me for the wonderful things ahead.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every hardship, every challenge, shaped me into who I am today. And for that, I am grateful.
HOP: How do you deal with rejection and setbacks in an industry where competition is fierce?
BHOOMIKA: Rejections are fine. Every audition I didn’t get made me reflect—What could I have done better? I always took it constructively, seeking feedback from casting directors and well-intended mentors. That led me to training.
Initially, I believed I didn’t need formal training—I was an instinctive actor, and theater in college had reinforced that. But rejection burst that bubble. I realized that training strengthens your tools, sharpens your craft. So, in the long run, rejection became my greatest teacher.
Now, I don’t see setbacks, only growth. I’ve built a daily routine that keeps me evolving—scene work with Artists’ Collective, yoga, and constant skill-building. Yoga, especially, has been life-changing. It sharpens my awareness, focus, and energy—all essential for an actor.
If you commit to growing every day, setbacks lose their power. There’s no failure, just continuous evolution.
HOP: Coming from Jaipur, how has your transition to Mumbai been? What was the biggest culture shock for you?
BHOOMIKA: Even though I hail from Jaipur, my upbringing has been incredibly diverse, and I credit my parents for that. As a child, I lived with my nana-nani in the village—grazing cattle, studying on a slate, even doing farming. And then, I went on to study at MGD Girls’ School, one of the top schools in the country, where I had opportunities to travel across India for competitions, win national accolades, and even represent India in London after winning Horlicks WizKids South Asia.
Later, pursuing MBBS at Safdarjung Hospital further broadened my exposure—I studied with students from all over the country, worked in high-pressure medical environments, and gained invaluable real-world experience. My mother, a gynecologist, also took me along to national and international conferences, further expanding my worldview.
With such a background—filled with travel, academics, student leadership, and theater—I never felt like an outsider anywhere. When I moved to Mumbai, I felt an instant belonging. This city thrives on ambition and hard work; it recognizes you for your dreams, not your background. And that, to me, is the most beautiful and powerful thing about Mumbai.
HOP: How would you compare the lifestyle, energy, and people of Mumbai versus Jaipur?
BHOOMIKA: Every city has its own energy, but I believe the way you experience a place depends on your own vibe and the people you attract.
Jaipur, to me, is a boutique heritage cosmopolitan city—modern yet deeply rooted in culture. Every time I visit, apart from quality family time, I indulge in shopping sprees because its fabrics, textures, and designs are unmatched. The city’s aesthetic is evolving beautifully, life there has a more relaxed, more composed rhythm.
Mumbai, on the other hand, is the city of infinite possibilities. Every café has someone scripting their next big dream. The diversity here is incredible—you meet people from every part of India and beyond. And in Mumbai, you’re defined not by where you come from but by the dreams you chase and the work you put in.
As an actor, this city is my haven. The best teachers, the best opportunities—they’re all here. If I want to learn something new, it’s happening in Mumbai or connected to it. This city keeps you on your toes, and I love that.
HOP: What are some of the daily struggles of living alone in Mumbai? Do you miss home-cooked food?
BHOOMIKA: Living alone in Mumbai? It’s the best thing to have happened to me. It’s liberating, empowering, and fuels me to operate at my optimum capacity—both personally and professionally. My home is an extension of my energy, and being naturally disciplined, I thrive in this space.
Challenges? Finding the right help (once that’s sorted, half the battle is won!), balancing health, work, and constant growth. The biggest struggle is syncing my sleep cycle with work demands. But when I get it right—riyaz, yoga, workouts, and creative work—everything flows. It’s a freelancer’s life, unpredictable yet exciting. Over time, you learn to ride the rhythm.
Do I miss home-cooked food? No. I’ve lived away from home for years—first in hostel, and even before that, my mother, being a working woman, had us manage our own meals very often. Now, I have a cook who makes food I like. I’ve built a life that works for me, and that’s what matters.