Young actor Bhumi Pednekar says she is fortunate to be nominated for Best Debut Actor (Female) category in TOIFA2016 for film Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Dubai, March 10, 2016: From putting on 30 kgs for a first-time role as Ayushmann Khurrana's plus-sized homely wife in ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ to being back to a pretty head-turner, Mumbai's very own Bhumi Pednekar is thanking her stars for the right moves she made at the beginning of her film career.

It turned out to be the best debut she could've ever dreamed of. Eating and acting were the parameters of cracking this role and the 25-year-old did it perfectly.

There were days when she woke up to butter chicken for breakfast and was pampered and fed all the time. In an industry where plus size leads to body shaming and low self esteem, Bhumi took the chance and got it just right. She has been nominated in Best Debut Actor (Female) category in TOIFA 2016 to be held in Dubai on March 18, 2016.

She says, 'Firstly. I would like to thank TOIFA for nominating me. It's an honour for me to be sharing space with actors that have given great performances. When your work is appreciated, it just motivates you to do better. And specially for your first film, which in itself is very special. Dum Laga Ke Haisha changed my life. It has given me a chance to make a career out of the only thing I know and love to do. To get a chance to work with such a phenomenal director and team is very rare for your first and I am really indebted to Adi sir (Aditya Chopra), Sharat (Director Sharat Katariya) and Maneesh (Producer Maneesh Sharma) for giving me this chance and making this life--changing movie.'

Tickets for TOIFA 2016 Dubai are available on platinumlist.net, and are priced from AED 199/- onwards.

TOIFA 2016 Dubai is presented by Gulf Air and Splash. TOIFA has partnered with Thomas Cook in India and Dadabhai Travels in the gulf as its Travel Partners.