Actress Nushrratt Bharuccha was terrified of wearing a swimsuit in a movie scene until a solo trip changed everything

Nushrratt Bharuccha, known for her breakout role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, has frequently addressed the scrutiny and criticism she faces regarding her personal lifestyle — from her temple visits to her fashion choices. In a recent chat with Hauterrfly, the actress revisited a particularly challenging moment in her career: wearing a bikini for the first time on screen, in Luv Ranjan’s directorial, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, where she starred opposite Kartik Aaryan.

During the interview, Nushrratt candidly revealed how unfamiliar and uncomfortable the experience initially felt. She explained that, having never worn a bikini before, the thought of donning one in front of a film crew and camera was daunting. “I’ve never had formal acting training,” she admitted, “so I often rely on my real-life experiences to bring authenticity to my performances. But wearing a bikini? That was entirely new to me.”

Feeling uneasy about how she would portray confidence on screen, she confided in director Luv Ranjan. “I told Luv sir that my biggest issue wasn’t just wearing it — it was the lack of ease I felt within myself. If I didn’t feel natural in it, how could I convincingly carry the scene? I hadn’t mentally embraced it yet, and that was important.”

Determined to overcome this mental block, Nushrratt came up with a bold solution — she took herself on a solo vacation abroad. “Let’s be honest, in India, walking around in a bikini isn't really feasible,” she said. “So, I booked a solo international trip. For three days straight, I wore bikinis all day — in the hotel, by the pool, on the beach. I layered them with cover-ups and just went about my day.”

Her goal was not just to get used to the attire but to rewire her mindset. “I did it intentionally. I wanted to break the mental barrier and the stigma I carried about it. I told myself, I’m just walking around like this, and it’s completely okay.”

By the middle of the second day, she said, the bikini no longer felt alien. “It felt natural. I wasn’t thinking about it anymore. I had let go of the overthinking—I was just existing in it. That shift in mindset was what I needed to perform freely in the film.”