Heital Puniwala on Bhamardo: 'Emotional role I didn't expect'
Synopsis
Heital Puniwala says he almost skipped Bhamardo due to a scheduling clash — and then shot it in 44-degree heat watching child co-stars fall ill. Now, after watching the finished film, he's calling it one of the most profound roles of his career, drawing a direct comparison to Taare Zameen Par.
Key Takeaways
Heital Puniwala stars in the upcoming Gujarati film Bhamardo , describing his role as deeply emotional and motivational.
His character introduces the Bhamardo competition and guides a child protagonist seeking a scholarship through the event.
Puniwala likened a key scene's emotional impact to that of Taare Zameen Par .
He almost did not join the project due to scheduling conflicts, and was persuaded by Babubhai Theba .
The shoot took place in temperatures of around 44 degrees Celsius , with 2 to 3 child actors reportedly falling sick due to the heat.
Actor Heital Puniwala has opened up about his part in the upcoming Gujarati film Bhamardo, describing it as one of the most emotionally layered roles of his career. The film, which centres on a child's journey through a traditional folk competition, is generating quiet buzz ahead of its release.
What the Role Involves
Puniwala plays a character who introduces the Bhamardo competition to a child protagonist and explains how winning it could secure a scholarship. “My character introduces the Bhamardo competition and explains how participating in it can help the child win a scholarship. The child does not even know how to play Bhamardo, so the story follows his journey of learning, working hard, and overcoming financial struggles to participate in the competition,” the actor said.
Puniwala, known for his appearance in PK, admitted the emotional depth of the role caught him off guard. “My role is quite emotional and motivational. There is a scene that carries a similar emotional depth to the kind of inspiring moments we saw in Taare Zameen Par. Overall, if we look at the character closely, it is a very profound and meaningful role,” he added.
How He Came on Board
Notably, Puniwala joined the project without knowing the full story. He was briefed only about his own character during casting. “When the film was being shot, I was actually a little confused about what kind of film it was because I was only told about my own character and not the complete story. But after watching the film, I genuinely felt that it is a very good film, and I am sure it will do well,” he said.
His involvement almost did not happen due to a scheduling conflict. It was Babubhai Theba, a prominent figure in the Gujarati entertainment industry, who personally reached out and convinced him to take the role. “I trust Babubhai a lot, and when he explained the character to me, I agreed to do it,” Puniwala said.
Gruelling Shoot Conditions
The production was not without its challenges. Puniwala recalled shooting outdoors in temperatures touching 44 degrees Celsius, alongside a cast that included several child actors. “It was a day shoot, and the temperature there was around 44 degrees. In that heat, many kids were working with me. I was there along with 2 to 3 other actors, and all of us were continuously shooting under the sun till sunset. It was extremely tough. We even saw 2 to 3 kids falling sick because of the heat,” he said.
What to Expect from Bhamardo
Bhamardo is positioned as a family drama rooted in the folk traditions of Gujarat, with themes of perseverance, financial hardship, and the transformative power of sport and culture. The film's narrative arc — a child mastering an unfamiliar competition against the odds — draws comparisons to the emotional register of celebrated Hindi films that blend innocence with social commentary. With its release on the horizon, the project looks set to carve a niche in regional cinema.
Point of View
But the casting of a recognisable crossover actor like Puniwala signals that the production is reaching for a wider audience. The gruelling shoot conditions, while anecdotally compelling, also raise a quiet question about child welfare protocols on regional film sets — one the industry rarely addresses publicly.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gujarati film Bhamardo about?
Bhamardo follows a child's journey of learning a traditional folk competition called Bhamardo, with the goal of winning a scholarship despite financial hardship. The film blends themes of perseverance, cultural identity, and family emotion.
Who is Heital Puniwala and what is his role in Bhamardo?
Heital Puniwala is an actor known for his appearance in the Hindi film PK. In Bhamardo, he plays a character who introduces the Bhamardo competition to the child protagonist and motivates him to participate.
How did Heital Puniwala get cast in Bhamardo?
Puniwala was initially unavailable due to a date clash, but was personally approached by Babubhai Theba, a well-known figure in Gujarati entertainment, who explained the role and convinced him to come on board.
What were the shooting conditions like for Bhamardo?
The shoot involved outdoor filming in temperatures of around 44 degrees Celsius. Puniwala recalled that 2 to 3 child actors fell sick due to the heat during the continuous day-long schedule.
Which Hindi film did Heital Puniwala compare Bhamardo to?
Puniwala compared the emotional depth of a key scene in Bhamardo to the inspiring moments seen in Taare Zameen Par, calling his overall character 'very profound and meaningful'.
