Showing posts with label Shriya Pilgaonkar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shriya Pilgaonkar. Show all posts
Baara Number is a found footage horror film-Shriya Pilgaonkar
10:24 AM
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 16, 2026)
Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar has a full kitty with Haiwaan and Mirzapur: The Movie releasing this year. Now, she will be a part of the upcoming film Baara Number.
“Baara Number is a found footage horror film, which is a very specific genre. It works because it blurs the difference between fiction and reality. As an actor it can be challenging and exciting,” the 37-year-old tells us.
Interestingly, the film will be helmed by actor-filmmaker Vir Das, marking a departure from his usual comic style. This comes even as indie small-budget film Obsession directed by Curry Barker, a comedian-turned-horror filmmaker became a surprise blockbuster globally.
Pilgaonkar says, “I love horror films and it is so fun to see the box office collections of recent horrors like Obsession and Backrooms... This is my second collaboration with Vir. The first time was in (an unreleased) web series P P Petals. We have built a good rapport ever since.”
The project features an ensemble cast including Sheeba Chaddha, Arunoday Singh, Ahsaas Channa. While Pilgaonkar remains tight-lipped about her role, she shares, “We haven’t started filming yet, we are still in pre-production and workshops will begin soon. The film will be shot in Mumbai.”
My entire segment in Mandala Murders was an afterthought-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:51 AM
Shriya Pilgaonkar, who is seen as a cult leader triggering the events in Mandala Murders, reveals an interesting fact about her role
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 2, 2025)
A week into the release of Mandala Murders, Shriya Pilgaonkar has already got her favourite compliment. “Someone said to me, ‘We didn’t think you could scare us.’ I love that. I think people felt that way because I have usually played morally righteous parts,” smiles the actor, pleased that a cameo in the Netflix series has made a strong impact.
In Mandala Murders, led by Vaani Kapoor, Pilgaonkar plays Rukmini, a woman leading a cult in the fictional town of Charandaspur of 1950s Uttar Pradesh. She may have barely five scenes in the eight-part series, but it has reminded the actor that the length of a role doesn’t determine its impact.
“I have headlined OTT projects. So, when you think about perception, it’s a gamble to play a role with relatively less screen time. But something about Rukmini was magnetic. Also, less screen time doesn’t make me insecure as an actor. It becomes your responsibility to add weight to the part,” says the actor.
Interestingly, Pilgaonkar’s role was written well after the filming of the series, created by Gopi Puthran, was wrapped up. The actor reveals, “They had finished filming the show two years before. My entire segment was an afterthought. It was not supposed to be part of the season [initially]. It was conceptualised and written much later.”
She adds that she took a screen test to land the role. “Gopi sir and I tried exploring Rukmini because the scenes were being developed at that point. He lit the scene beautifully. Even though I knew they wanted me for the part, I wanted to audition so that everyone could rest assured that I was capable of pulling it off.”
In awe of Puthran’s larger-than-life treatment and positioning of her character in the series, Pilgaonkar hopes to achieve this kind of projection in her future offerings.
She reasons, “No matter how good one may be at their craft, it is an industry of perception, and positioning plays a huge role in your trajectory. I am focusing more on films now because it’s easy for people to bracket us as OTT actors. I want to focus on work that will [project] me in an exciting way. You need strong positioning and mounting.”
Shriya Pilgaonkar on Guilty Minds’ second season being cancelled: "I was heartbroken when I found out"
3:00 PM
Heartbroken after Guilty Minds’ second season was cancelled, Shriya Pilgaonkar plans to turn producer to generate work in the volatile market
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 12, 2025)
When we spoke to Shriya Pilgaonkar in 2024, she was brimming with excitement at the prospect of Guilty Minds’ second season. A year on, Prime Video has pulled the plug on the acclaimed courtroom drama that saw her as lawyer Kashaf Quaze. Naturally heartbroken, the actor says the episode has taught her that quality storytelling needs better marketing to reach a wider audience.
“I was heartbroken when I found out. Sometimes, I believe it’s not just a creative call, but a business decision. It’s overwhelming because so many people who watched it [believed] that because they loved the show, others must have watched it too. But I went for a talk show recently to a college, and none of the kids had watched it. It means the show did not reach them at the right time, or sometimes, things are not promoted enough. There are some shows that are hugely promoted, and other times, good shows are not promoted as much,” she rues.
Today, the industry is grappling with a recession of sorts, where projects are being cancelled even days before going on floors. It has left Pilgaonkar with a crucial lesson — now, she wants to make things happen. Perhaps take a leap into production?
“I would like to do production, but I’ll talk about it after I’ve done it. I’m hoping to crack a romantic story in a few months. I’m feeling brave and I want to show up for myself,” says the actor, who is currently seen in Zee5’s Chhal Kapat.
She adds, “I’m interested in collaborating with independent writers and directors. Actors like me may be appreciated for our skills, but quality work often does not [come our way].”
Shriya Pilgaonkar to play a police officer for the first time, in Chhal Kapat
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Playing a cop in Chhal Kapat, Shriya Pilgaonkar on how the complex character is a departure from all-white police officers
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 24, 2025)
Female cops are few and far between in Hindi movies and shows. So, when Shriya Pilgaonkar got the opportunity to play a police officer for the first time in Chhal Kapat — The Deception, it was an easy yes.
“My character Devika Rathore isn’t just an officer; she is someone haunted by a dark past, which, in turn, sharpens her investigative instincts. She sees what others might miss, not in spite of her past, but because of it,” notes the actor.
Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, the Zee5 series is set against an intimate wedding in Burhanpur that takes a dark turn when one of the bride’s best friends is found dead. Pilgaonkar’s Devika is tasked with the investigation. While donning the uniform for the first time was enough to lure the actor, she was further drawn to the character for its complexities and grey shades. “It’s exciting to portray a cop, who breaks the mould — Devika is sharp, unapologetically foul-mouthed, and morally complex.
Characters like her are rarely seen in this space, where officers are often portrayed as strictly black or white,” says the actor, who has portrayed fierce female characters in Guilty Minds (2022) and The Broken News.
The murder mystery, set to première in June, also stars Pranay Pachauri, Tuhina Das, Anuj Sachdeva, and Ragini Dwivedi.
It’s easy for people to put the blame on the government, says Shriya Pilgaonkar on air pollution
9:01 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 29, 2024)
Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar, a goodwill ambassador for the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF), was in for a shock as she recently returned from New Zealand amid the air pollution crisis in the Capital.
“The crazy part is that I was in New Zealand recently, where the AQI was 1...,” she says, ruing that Delhi has been blanketed in smog. Air is the most basic need of a citizen, she adds.
However, the 35-year-old warns that engaging in a blame game is futile. “It’s easy for people to put the blame on the government. But there are so many steps that we need to take, too. We need to act collectively. That is when things will change,” she feels.
The Taaza Khabar fame actor admits, “It is very scary to me that we are breathing toxic air... Especially, after Diwali, (these) things happen every year. Now, I am concerned about how things will get worse in the times to come.”
She stresses, “We, as a country, need to come together... We need to act. Because to breathe in clean air is the most basic right of life.”
The actor, who is the daughter of actor-couple Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, emphasises the need for collective action: “Everything, even the smallest thing, matters... At the personal level, we need to figure out what we can do better. Can I use a wooden straw? How much plastic do I use? Instead of taking three cars, can I take one? The role we play as citizens — taking up individual responsibility to do our best to live sustainably — adds up in the larger scheme of things.”
Ask her what she thinks about the need for film festivals as a goodwill ambassador for ALT EFF — which is currently under way — and she says, “The reason why I believe in the power of some festivals is because they truly broaden your mind with diverse stories and storytelling. The atmosphere of film festivals is extremely nourishing.”
Sachin Pilgaonkar on 60 years in cinema: "I have reached the interval stage"
8:16 AM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2024)
Sachin Pilgaonkar (67) completes 60 years in films this year. The actor, director and producer started acting as a child at the age of five and went on to feature in over 65 films before starring in films like Sholay and Satte Pe Satta as a grown-up. The veteran actor says there’s much more to come and he has only reached the “interval stage” of his career.
‘I was the first child artiste to win the President’s Award’
Talking about his early days as a child artiste, Sachin fondly recalls, “I received the National Award for Best Child Artiste at the age of five (for Marathi film Ha Maza Marg Ekla), from the hands of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan the second president of India, in the presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Back then, it was known as President’s Awards and the child artiste category did not exist, so I was the first to win it. My mother had stitched a sherwani with mojri for the event and as I was leaving after receiving my award, Pandit ji called me, made me sit on his lap, took the rose from his coat and placed it on my sherwani. My mother was keen that I have a 9 to 5 job, but this event changed her thought process. Eventually, I went on to work in more than 65 films as a child.”
‘I learnt self-love from Dev Anand’
Sachin cherishes the close association that he shared with Dev Anand. He says, “Dev Anand with whom I worked a lot, loved himself and would address himself by his name Dev, while explaining a scene. The first time it happened, I asked him, 'Who is playing Dev?' He looked at me for a few seconds before announcing he was referring to himself and I apologized. He told me that I reminded him of his younger brother Goldie, who he was very close to. I played his younger brother in his debut directorial Prem Pujari. Apart from working with Dev saab, I feel fortunate to have been part of cult films like Sholay, Satte Pe Satta, Nadiya Ke Paar, Geet Gaata Chal and more.”
‘As a director, I treat my actors the way I wanted to be treated on set as a young actor’
Talking about the life lessons that he has learnt in all these years, he says, “At 24, I became a director in Marathi cinema. Today, my actors receive their cheque from me (not my managers) even before they have taken off their makeup on the final day of shoot. The reason is, that’s how I wanted to be treated when I was younger, but it wouldn’t happen. I celebrate the birthdays of my crew - from the light man to the actors because no one celebrated my birthday on the sets."
‘Shriya was our lucky charm since day one’
“The day Shriya was born, I was shooting for my Marathi directorial Atmavishwas, in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. The previous night the doctor informed us Supriya would have to deliver the baby the next evening because of some complications. Co-incidentally, the hospital was on the same street as my shooting location. I was arranging the shot in the afternoon when a friend informed me that I’ve become father to a baby girl and I rushed to the hospital. The same evening, we received the news that I had received the Maharashtra State Award for Best Director for Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi and Supriya had won the award for Best Actress for Maza Pati Karodpati. Today, Shriya has made her own space in the industry and I am proud of her. As a family, we are very tight and they have always been my pillar of strength.”
‘Meena Kumari introduced me to Urdu’
The actor, who shared screen space with Meena Kumari in the film Majhli Didi, says, “Meena aapa imbibed Urdu into my life and today, it is part of my system. Having command over a language gives you immense confidence, it changes your body language and approach to your work. I couldn’t speak English back then, but a friend helped me by conversing and that’s how I learnt the language. Today, I visit colleges to give lectures on career building, but I consider myself a student. My pseudonym is Shafaq, and I write and recite Urdu poetry, and have shared the stage with the likes of Wasim Barelvi and Javed Akhtar.”
Winning Nach Baliye with Surpiya at the age of 48
Supriya (Pilgaonkar) and I are total opposites, but I never tried to change her because I married her for what she is. We were approached for Nach Baliye (2005) because the channel needed a senior couple and they didn’t even know if we could dance. The intention was not to win. We would be happy even if we survived six episodes, but we ended up winning the show. Choreographer Saroj Khan, who was a judge on the show, used to say, “No matter what, the Shammi Kapoor within you will never leave your body.”
The day Shriya was born, Suprirya won best actress and I won award for best director-Sachin Pilgaonkar
8:01 AM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; June 15, 2024)
Shriya Pilgaonkar still remembers how her father, Sachin Pilgaonkar, would sit by her bed when she was a child and tell stories as she fell asleep. “Each night, it was a new story with different characters. Papa is an amazing storyteller, and I think that is where my love for stories and performing comes from,” says Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar’s daughter.
While both her parents are actors, she didn’t fully realize how well known they were till the time came for the school parent-teacher meetings. “Everyone would be excited to see them, and those moments made me realise the impact they had as actors on people’s lives. At other times, they were my hard-working parents, who were very involved in my life,” Shriya adds.
Sachin shares memories from Shriya's childhood
I met Supriya first, congratulated and thanked her for giving me a daughter. Then I went to see my little one with dimples on her cheek. Holding Shriya in my hands for the first time was the biggest joy of my life. On the morning of 25th April, Shriya was born and the same evening, there was an announcement on TV that Supriya won best actress and I won for best director for a Marathi film that year.
Once when Shriya was three years old, I came home after work and was just lying on my bed. Shriya looked at me and like a mother she asked me “Are you tired?” I said yeah. She started patting me like a mother, and I fell asleep, and that sleep was the soundest sleep I’ve ever had in my life.
Shriya on visiting Sachin's sets
Of course I have visited papa’s film sets. I have so many fun memories of visiting the sets of Tu Tu Main Main and seeing him in action as a director and mom as an actor. He would call me to do cameos and I would happily show up. He is an incredible teacher and there’s so much I have learnt from him.
Travel buddies
“Her mannerisms are like Supriya’s, but her personality is like mine,” says Sachin, adding that Shriya is a foodie just like him. The father-daughter duo bonds over their shared love of travel. “One of our most memorable trips was the family holiday we had in Maldives last year. Papa loves to swim, but not in the ocean. I wanted him to try snorkelling and though he was scared at first, he finally overcame his fear. Like me, he’s always up for a good adventure,” Shriya remembers.
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Holding Shriya in my hands for the first time was the biggest joy of my life
We speak about work, but I don’t give advice unless she asks me for it. Now, we like to travel and just chill together, discussing film & music
– Sachin Pilgaonkar
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Papa is a one man army
Papa is an incredible teacher. He is a one-man army & it’s amazing to see him work with so much passion
He lifts the energy of a room. One of his life lessons to me is that one should learn not just from their seniors but also from juniors
– Shriya Pilgaonkar
Surrounded by snow, I did not have network for three days which was the best part-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:27 AM
Natasha Coutinho (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2024)
Exploring a destination with the locals is the best way to experience the culture. For actress Shriya Pilgaonkar, an impromptu trip to explore Kashmir turned out to be a life changing experience. Dealing with the heat in Mumbai, the actress shared memories of experiencing the local culture in snowfilled Kashmir.
The actress states that her dream is to, "drive around the country to explore the different landscapes and eat all the different food."
Sharing her favourite memories from the trip the actress says, "Two years ago I was filming in Pahalgam and decided to stay back and explore the place with the locals. Surrounded by snow, I did not have network for three days which was the best part, I was present in the moment. We drove around to small, quaint villages and were once welcomed by a family where I was served Kashmiri noon chai, local biscuits, kahwah (tea) and Kashmiri bread (bazir tchot). They showed us around at their beautiful orchard and had so many questions about my life back in Mumbai."
Speaking about the local handicrafts that she still has as memoirs she says, "I bought shawls and a rug. Of course, I had also bought saffron."
People have started labelling me an OTT actor-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:21 AM
Shriya, who has enjoyed a hit series in Taaza Khabar this year, says she wants to straddle both theatrical and web offerings
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 4, 2023)
Six months into the year, Shriya Pilgaonkar has already featured in two popular web series. After starting 2023 with Taaza Khabar, the actor recently reprised her role in the second season of Crackdown. A web series being renewed for a second edition is a sign of success, but it can be tricky for actors.
“The second season can’t be more of the same,” states Pilgaonkar. “In Crackdown 2, I did more [demanding] action sequences, and there was a strong emotional graph.”
Last year, Pilgaonkar was one of the most successful actors in digital entertainment, grabbing eyeballs with Guilty Minds and The Broken News. But there is a flipside to it. “I have noticed that because I have done more work in digital entertainment, people have started labelling me an OTT actor. I don’t know what it means. An actor is an actor across mediums. The industry is quick to label you.”
The actor, who forayed into Bollywood with Fan (2016), wishes to maintain a balance between movies and web series. “I want to work with certain filmmakers. I want to try to do more films. I’d love to do a good web series, but I also want to see myself on the big screen.”
Foraying into production is the next step. The decision stems from her hunger as an actor. “Sometimes, as an actor, when [the kind of stories] you want aren’t coming to you, it’s a good time to make something of your own. I am trying to actively build [projects] for myself.”
My mother Supriya Pilgaonkar is a naughty child-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:21 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 14, 2023)
It’s been a ritual for actor Shriya Pilgaonkar to write letters and give a bouquet to her actor-mother Supriya Pilgaonkar on Mother’s Day. Continuing with the tradition Shriya also has another plan, “She really wants me to cook for her, so I shall. And then I would send her for a massage,” shares the Guilty Minds actor.
Surpiya was 22, when her daughter Shriya was born. The latter states that the two “grew up together”. “She raised me as she was growing up herself,” she adds. Shriya reveals how her mother — despite being strict — has never restricted her. “She wanted me to have all the experiences in life and has given me the freedom to discover myself,” the actor mentions.
Shriya calls her mother a “naughty child”. “She has a great sense of humour and she is quite witty. People think she is the kind of Maa, who wouldn’t yell but she yells,” The Broken News actor quips. What are the reasons for Supriya to lose her temper?
“She gets upset if cleanliness of my room is not as per her standards or if I’m not eating properly. And I laugh when she loses her temper. I tell her that her fans need to see this side of hers,” the 34-year-old replies.
Mothers in general are multi-taskers, Shriya admits, Supriya made sacrifices for her. “When I was training for swimming, she would wake up at four in the morning. The person I am today is because of all these efforts my mom has made,” she recalls.
With time, tables have turned. The one who used to pack the bags is now being taken care of. “Whenever we go out, I am the one taking care of her. It’s like me taking my child on a trek,” she mentions.
Shriya wishes to take her mother’s legacy forward. “I absolutely love my mom on screen and on stage. She is very honest about my performances. Her validation and opinions are important to me. My parents have seen a lot, it was important for me to carry myself with the grace that my parents have. Gaining goodwill is the most important thing. And for my mother hits and misses don’t matter. For her, how I deal with life is the most important thing,” she ends.
Working on my craft is more important than how many posts I am putting on Instagram-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:49 AM
Shriya Pilgaonkar says she doesn’t obsess over social media; admits it helps to showcase different sides of an actor
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 27, 2023)
Social media is an inseparable part of any actor’s life today. Connecting with their fans, promoting their work, sharing their sartorial sense —it all happens there. But how much is too much? Keeping a track of social media presence, different looks for different occasions —in such a scenario, doesn’t it lead to the focus wavering?
Shriya Pilgaonkar, who received good reviews for her recent performance in the show Taaza Khabar, says she does “as much as I can handle”.
The actor says, “I also look at a lot of these things as part of my job. One has to constantly reinvent with time. I feel social media today is a big part of our lives. As an actor, I have to look at things from an overall perspective.”
The Guilty Minds actor also asserts, “For me, I am still a believer in working on my craft, skills.. that is more important than how many posts I am putting on Instagram!”
The 33-year-old feels social media however acts as a medium to show the world different sides to you as an actor, through reels and pictures. This is also why actors get different shoots done primarily to post on their social media handles.
“Sometimes you have to spoon feed the audience or makers with what you are capable of. Not everyone can visualize you in different ways or looks. I use social media like that, and don’t stress about it,” says Pilgaonkar.
She adds, “I don’t have a social media team. So when I travel, I post travelling videos. I don’t obsess over my next post, like some people whose careers depend on social media completely. But, I think to each their own.”
Shah Rukh Khan looked me and whispered, 'Mashallah, so beautiful'-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:48 AM
Shriya Pilgaonkar with mid-day’s entertainment editor Mayank Shekhar at the latest edition of Sit with Hitlist
Walking into Hitlist OTT Awards with two Best Actor: Series nominations, Shriya Pilgaonkar reflects on the shows that put her on the map
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; February 18, 2023)
Serendipity, I suspect, plays the starring role in most lives. But it’s something we kept going back to, over an hour-long conversation with actor Shriya Pilgaonkar, 33, who’s legitimately an OTT star in her own right, and has been a film buff forever. Enough to bleed her eyes bingeing on five back-to-back films on the big screen at Mumbai’s MAMI festival.
One of which was The Artist (2011) — i.e. before the French tour de force became the toast at the Oscars, and indeed before Shriya was an actor herself.
There is a strange connect she felt with the film’s lead actor Jean Dujardin on the screen, which went beyond the fact that she obviously found him attractive. She told her mother about it later, and ‘journaled’ it at night — about being inexplicably drawn towards this man.
“Cut to,” Shriya says — as all readers of screenplays are prone to narrate their anecdotes — she had cracked an audition for a part, that turned out to be for a French production, set in India, starring Dujardin.
Likewise, before she took up acting as a profession, like many film aspirants, Shriya was assisting a director, Megha Ramaswamy, on a short film, being shot at the Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) studio, where Shah Rukh Khan was shooting as well. Ramaswamy, also Chak De! India director Shimit Amin’s wife, knew SRK, and introduced Shriya to the superstar.
The nation’s charmer number one, and the actor to have cornered all desi female hearts, looked at Shriya, whispered, “Mashallah, so beautiful!” At that moment, Shriya recalls, she died!
Cut to, 2015: There was a moment in Shriya’s life, when during the day, she was shooting with Dujardin, and at night, with SRK — for Maneesh Sharma’s YRF production, Fan (2016), her Bollywood debut.
How did the latter happen? With auditions over three months, where she was testing for multiple parts, and even sitting in for cues for other actors, hoping to be cast, at YRF. It was one such tape — that wasn’t hers, and so she was totally relaxed on the screen — that “Maneesh (director) and Adi Sir (Chopra, producer) saw,” and selected her.
“I like how all these stories happen late at night — I got a call from Shanoo Sharma (YRF’s casting director). I just went over to my parents’ room, told them I’ve been cast as Shah Rukh’s love-interest. And I just shut their door, without waiting for their reaction! Didn’t know what to say.”
The parents being Sachin, and Supriya Pilgaonkar. Both of whom are prominent, professional actors. She belongs to the third generation in the film industry. Shriya’s paternal grandfather, Sharad Pilgaonkar, who she never got to see, was a producer. That explains how Sachin himself started early as an actor in his father’s film — that paved his path as a career child-actor, Master Sachin, from thereon.
Sachin, 65, has been an actor for 60 years! Supriya debuted with the Marathi film Navri Mile Navriyala (1984), directed by Sachin. Shriya herself appeared as an infant in one of Sachin’s movies. She doesn’t remember which one: “He’s directed 21 films!”
Reversing movie history, if you may — since men played female parts on screen once — Shriya first spoke for the screen as a little boy, basically “kid with boy cut”, to say, “Aunty, mummy ne achaar mangaya hai!”
That was her cameo in the hit TV show, Tu Tu Main Main. Those of a certain vintage might instantly remember the sing-song way Tu Tu Main Main was said in the title sequence, after which director Sachin would yell, “Action”, before the episode started.
Shriya followed director Sachin’s instruction in her debut film, in Marathi, Ekulti Ek (2013), too — which fetched her Maharashtra government’s film award.
Given the self-sufficient family unit of filmies, one would assume Shriya as an actor is an obvious career move. And yet, when she’d taken up a part in a short play as a stage debut of sorts, her mother simply looked at the adult child, for where she was headed, and sighed: “How predictable.”
Until 14, Shriya was set to be a professional swimmer; her days centred on training for the sport that she was participating at the state-level: “The sportsperson’s is a tough life. Even in swimming, a difference in micro-seconds sets apart the winner from others. It consumes you.” She was training at Bandra’s Otters’ Club, and gave up on the sport, shortly after her coach passed away.
And it’s not like she had a Plan B, or any particular plan at all. As someone scoring high in class, she did what most over-achiever type kids do, in school, and later in college — everything. I learnt later that she was also the student-boss of Malhar, St Xavier’s College annual festival — it’s the kind of designation collegians, I notice, flaunt even on LinkedIn!
A big move she did make, Shriya admits, was actually the one that she did not — that is, to pursue her master’s at Columbia University, where she had secured admission. Columbia was her trying to postpone/evade the question about what she really wants to do next. Instead she enrolled in a film appreciation course at FTII, began acting in plays, directing short films, documentary, eventually auditioning for acting parts for movies.
That she is multi-talented could have a lot to do with her father Sachin. Best way to describe Sachin is as Rajshri Productions’ OG Prem. He was the lead in the super-hit Nadiya Ke Paar (1982), that got remade into Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), with Salman Khan.
Another way to describe Sachin is as a singer, writer, producer, director… Between her parents, Shriya rightly insists her father is the star — all about showmanship — while her mother is the ‘actor’, who can detach herself from her work as well.
What’s common between them is they can break a leg! For proof, the Pilgaonkar couple had famously won the maiden season of dance-reality show, Nach Baliye (2005), surprising many with their killer moves.
Which is also in common with the daughter, we learn. Shriya extensively trained in kathak, growing up — that, in fact, pretty much all Bollywood female actors do, at some point. As we speak, she’s finally put that talent to test in a “full dhamaal” song-and-dance routine, “for an unannounced film, produced by Emmay Entertainment.”
From her mother, Shriya says, she’s acquired ‘body-language’ as an important acting lesson. At some point in the conversation, she effectively shows us how her three well-known characters — lawyer Kashaf Quaze, from Guilty Minds (2022); journalist Radha Bhargava, from The Broken News (2022); sex-worker Madhubala, from Taaza Khabar (2023) — would sit, if they were in the same room.
And that’s self-awareness at the level of where the legs are placed, how the head moves, whether she is leaning-in (Kashaf), straight, and attentive (Radha), or totally carefree (Madhubala).
When she was offered the part of Sweety Gupta, on the other hand — a girl from the hardcore, Hindi heartland, namely Mirzapur, meaning Uttar Pradesh (UP) — an advice/warning she got was not to come across as the Maharashtrian girl that she is.
This is where her dad would’ve been the inspiration: “Unki zubaan bahut saaf hai (he has clear diction). One thing he told me is to always master the dialect, before you play any part.”
Sweety is as UP as they get. Shriya jokes people have come up to Sachin to suggest he couldn’t be Sweety Gupta ke papa. It’s this role of Guddu Bhaiya’s girlfriend in Mirzapur, she admits, that gave her “the taste of pan-India fame. Till today, there’s the Sweety-love everywhere I go, and I love that,” although her character died in the first season of Mirzapur (2018).
Guilty Minds, though, she reckons, is what brought her “critical appreciation” as an actor; she came into her own. There is some serendipity here too. In the sense that dad Sachin, all her life, she tells me, had wished to play a lawyer. It’s never happened. He’s drawn to law as a hobby as well — reads books, goes through minutiae of contracts, etc.
It’s Shriya who got to dive deep into the world in ways that Indian screen hasn’t before. In terms of movies, Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court (2015) was a masterpiece on India’s legal system. Shriya agrees. That apart, for long-form content, the realism and authenticity of Guilty Minds is refreshingly first-rate.
Much of it comes from the series creator, Shefali Bhushan, daughter of prominent jurist, ex law minister of India, Shanti Bhushan; sister of top lawyer and activist, Prashant Bhushan. Can’t get more insider than that!
The writing was such, Shriya recalls, that there is a scene in the show, where her character Kashaf, and her team, along with the opposing lawyers, are in a village, fighting against a power plant coming up, that will wreck lives of locals.
Somehow, while performing that (third episode’s) monologue, detailing the human cost of development, Shriya broke down on the shoulders of Sugandha Garg (co-actor), after the director called cut: “I felt something. Maybe the line between the actor and character broke.”
As an actor, she says, she actively practices an attachment-detachment relationship with her work, given that the outcome, in terms of success, is out of everyone’s hands. But it’s hard to pretend you don’t care, after all the effort that’s gone in.
Going back to her journal that night after Guilty Minds shoot, she wrote about what she had experienced doing the emotional scene. And that it doesn’t matter how the show is received, in terms of numbers of reviewers’ nods — this is something special that will stay, regardless.
The Broken News, likewise, enters the world of television journalism, with Shriya’s character at the centre of the newsroom, navigating nuances, if not serious dilemmas of this profession. The apprehension, Shriya confesses, about being typecast as this everyday/important professional, did cross her mind.
“Even my friends say which profession is left to play? But that’s not the point. Even among lawyers or journalists, there are different types.” To prep for her part of a reporter, she in fact spoke to (mainly former) journalists on how they’d respond to life’s choices, rather than intricacies of the newsroom itself.
Not be an ‘ageist’ about it — I’m an old man myself — but there is a rejuvenating aspect to hosting long chats with younger guests, as they delve into their early experiences. The memories are firstly fresh, rather than jaded from having gone through these same interviews/questions, over years. Shriya is one of the youngest to feature on the Sit with Hitlist series of conversations, before a live audience.
Also, you can probe — without, hopefully, coming across as a nosey uncle — on random fun stuff, like her favourite drunken story? Involved lots of wine, during the India-Pakistan match, at Melbourne Cricket Grounds — she had to keep drinking, because once India scored, you’re supposed to stay put in the same position, and repeat exactly what you were doing before!
Or how about check on important issues, like who’s she dating? Well, this chat took place on Feb 13. She said she didn’t have a date for Feb 14. So I’m guessing she’s single. Although she’ll be happy, she mentioned, if she somebody made a plan. If you search for this chat on YouTube, we’ve left her number there (of course, I’m kidding).
Most elementally though, the fact of a young star is you’re catching them on the curve. There’s so much to look ahead. I had looked up Shriya’s TEDx talk, from 2019, and already her professional life has transformed enough to render that talk premature. As would be this interview.
Considered the past year alone for Shriya — The Broken News on ZEE5, Guilty Minds on Amazon Prime Video, Taaza Khabar (2023) on Disney+ Hotstar — you can’t escape on her on OTT.
So much so that there’s stuff of hers on other platforms that I haven’t had the chance to catch: new season of The Gone Game on Voot, a show called Murder In Agonda on Amazon Mini? She’s the only actor to be nominated twice for Best Lead (Female) at the Hitlist OTT Awards.
The first time most Indians, including me, saw Shriya on screen was, of course, in Fan. I kept wondering where I’d met her before. It was at a party in Pune, when she wasn’t an actor, and she was pissed with movie critics, in general. I reasoned that film reviewing was indeed a low form of writing, because it often lacked empathy.
“At that time obviously I didn’t know I was going to be an actor, and that I’d have to change my opinion on critics,” Shriya laughs, pointing out that what had irked her after Fan were actually reviews that didn’t mention her at all.
Which is fair. Indifference is the opposite of love, not hate. While the film was a YRF production, starring SRK, it wasn’t exactly the proverbial launch vehicle, associated with star-kids. In this case, Sachin’s daughter.
Shriya says, “[There are star] children, who get papped, groomed, branded, for two years, before they come as movie stars [on screen]. I didn’t want to be on a magazine cover, even before I was an actor.” That’s also Instagram all right.
But the actual scene among screen talents has changed too dramatically to count on tested measures. And is it even about Bollywood anymore, as one supposes?
Look at the galazy of stars getting created in the OTT space, starting with Shriya, for instance. It’s a medium that isn’t ‘television’ enough for actors to surrender their identity to their character, that carries on playing itself, over hundreds of episodes!
Although exhibiting similar aesthetics, it isn’t exactly film, that is centred on the male lead, hustling over box-office returns. Let alone conversations on nepotism for debutants.
“Every role I’ve got is through passing an audition,” Shriya reveals, on the real serendipity surrounding her — right talent, at the right time. It’s like being an actor with a great voice, just when silent films have given way to talkies!
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
Shriya Pilgaonkar has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Series category for Guilty Minds and The Broken News.
The other nominees are:
- Amruta Subhash (Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd)
- Fatima Sana Shaikh (Modern Love Mumbai)
- Huma Qureshi (Maharani S02)
- Masaba Gupta (Masaba Masaba S02)
- Sakshi Tanwar (Mai: A Mother’s Rage)
- Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime S02)
There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.
Voting lines close on February 22.
A still from Guilty Minds. Pics/Ashish Raje
Shriya Pilgaonkar in The Broken News
My grandfather, 83, has travelled around 95 countries; Travelling with him is genuinely fun-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:19 AM
Preeti Atulkar (BOMBAY TIMES; August 21, 2022)
Shriya Pilgaonkar considers travelling her soul food. The actor, who recently returned from a threeweek vacation in Spain, says she’s all charged up after the trip and is ready for her work commitments for the rest of the year. “The past six-seven months have been incredibly busy in terms of work. Three of my projects were released and I finished shooting for two more. So, I needed to unwind. In Spain, I had the time of my life with my friends and am back with more energy and enthusiasm. It was a much-deserved vacation for me,” shares Shriya. In a chat, the actress elaborates on her passion for travelling, exploring the OTT space and more...
‘TRAVELLING IS A NECESSITY FOR ME AS AN ACTOR’
The Fan actor says that she is an explorer at heart, and adds, “The thrill of being in a new place and meeting new people is incomparable. Since acting is about observation, I feel that travelling is a necessity for me in order to gain perspective. I may take a luxury-filled or laidback trip with my family.”
Shriya adds, “But on solo trips or a holiday with friends, I like to bring out that adventurous side of mine and try offbeat stuff like hiking, scuba diving, cliff jumping etc. Since I am a foodie, discovering a place through its food is also an important part of my travels. Just go with the flow is my travel mantra.”
While her mother, actress Supriya Pilgaonkar encouraged her to go on solo trips, Shriya calls her maternal grandfather Arun Sabnis a travel inspiration. Shriya says, “My grandfather is 83 and has travelled around 95 countries. We have done a few fun trips together, including an unplanned trip once. Since he has so much experience, he ended up becoming my tour guide. Travelling with him is genuinely fun and easy. He maintains travel journals, a habit I have now imbibed too.”
‘THE DIGITAL SPACE HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR ME’
Shriya has been basking in the glory of the success of her recent OTT projects, and believes that this is an exciting time in her career. She adds, “The digital space has turned out to be a real game changer for my career. Along with the critical appreciation, it feels amazing to get the audience’s love. I am flooded with messages.”
That said, she wishes to be seen on the big screen too. “I want to do feature films as well. It’s been a while since I have had a theatrical release. There is a project in the pipeline, a romantic comedy which also features Neena Gupta and Lara Dutta. In addition to that, I am actively seeking international projects,” she says, adding, “I want to establish myself as a global artiste. In international projects, the need for inclusivity and the writing have promoted multi-ethnic casting. It’s good to see characters being written in a way that breaks stereotypes and cliches. To me, the body of Irrfan sir’s work is inspiring. My priority has always been a good script, irrespective of the medium or language. There are different kinds of roles that I am aiming to do now.”
‘I FEEL GOOD FILMMAKERS DON’T PUT ACTORS IN A CERTAIN BRACKET’
Shriya says that she wants to maintain a balance between doing films and OTT projects. She also says that she’s looking at different ways to put herself out there in order to avoid getting stereotyped. “The recognition I got from OTT shows helped me bag films. I would like to believe that good filmmakers and production houses don’t put actors in a certain bracket. At times, people are quick to stereotype you with respect to your roles. But I think you have to keep putting yourself out there in different ways and roles. That’s the only way to hopefully avoid getting stereotyped,” she says.
‘HAVE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE WHAT I HAVE’
Shriya comes from a film family. In fact, her father, actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar, was the one who directed Shriya in her big screen debut, Ekulti Ek (2013). While the actress agrees that there are perks of coming from a film family, she says she is happy to have established a place in the industry on her
own. “It is indeed a privilege to have parents who are actors. Since they have vast experience in the field, they understand the highs and lows and what it takes to navigate the industry as an actor. They have helped me get stronger from within, and be able to deal with the ups and downs. But I would like to say that it has been a step-by-step journey for me. I have never approached things from an entitled space. I had to work very hard for everything that I have achieved, and I still do. I have carved a path for myself,” says Shriya.
She adds, “I was selected for most of my projects after auditioning for roles. Every actor has their journey. In my case, good work has brought in good work. There have been projects that didn’t work, but I have enjoyed doing those. I give all projects my best, but the outcome and response is something that’s not in my hands.”
People are cast on OTT on the basis of their follower count-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:01 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 19, 2022)
Shriya Pilgaonkar, who has made a mark on the digital medium, shares that things aren’t as rosy in the OTT world as they might seem. She feels many makers on the web space are trying to cast actors with pre-existing fan base to encash in on their popularity.
She says, “I see a lot of casting happening on OTT based on the number of followers one has [on social media]. I have heard of such cases and have friends, who have had experiences where they were asked about their Insta following. But I don’t think genuinely good makers and production houses do that. Everybody has a different experience.”
However, the 33-year-old, who has been a part of shows such as Mirzapur, Guilty Minds and The Gone Game, says everything cannot be termed negative about the medium. “We see so many opportunities here — for both newcomers and stars. One can happily co-exist, I feel. There is no need to be negative about this. So I am not cynical about it entirely,” adds the actor.
And even if bias exists in casting, Pilgaonkar feels OTT is a writer’s medium rather than a star-driven vehicle. “You have different characters, many episode format. You have to rely on good performances, irrespective of star or no star. The makers are focusing on casting people who they think are truly good,” she ends.
Mirzapur actor Bramha Mishra found dead in Versova flat
8:13 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (December 3, 2021)
Mumbai: Actor Brahmaswaroop Mishra, best known for his role in the OTT show ‘Mirzapur’, was found dead at his home in Versova on Thursday after a heart attack, reports Nitasha Natu.
Mishra, 36, had acted in Bollywood films Super 30, Kesari, Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Dangal. He had been living in a rental apartment at Inlaks Nagar in Versova for the past four years.
Around 12.15pm on Thursday, Versova police was informed by residents of Inlaks Nagar about a foul odour emanating from one of the flats. A police team was sent to the flat but the door was locked from inside. A duplicate key was made and the police team found Mishra dead inside the lavatory.
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Mumbai: The body of actor Bramhaswaroop Mishra, who was found dead in his flat in Versova on Thursday afternoon, was found in a semi-decomposed condition which suggests that it might have been a while since he died, police said.
The actor’s body was sent to the Cooper Hospital for a postmortem examination. The Versova police have registered an accidental death report, and are investigating further.
The police have informed the actor’s brother, Sandeep Mishra, who lives in Bhopal, about his death.
Mishra had completed a two-year acting course from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He was also associated with several theatre groups.
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Samiullah Khan (MID-DAY; December 3, 2021)
Film Actor Brahma Mishra, best known for his roles in films such as, Manjhi: The Mountain Man, Kesari, and the web series Mirzapur, has passed away in Mumbai.
On Thursday, the police found his semi-decomposed body from his flat in Versova. The body has been sent for an autopsy at Dr. Cooper Hospital.
According to mid-day sources, Mishra's death took place 2-3 days earlier. Neighbours complained to police on Thursday morning about a foul smell coming from the flat, an official said.
When the Versova police rushed to the spot, the flat’s door was locked from inside. After opening the door, the police found Mishra's body in the toilet. “After performing the panchnama, the body was sent to Cooper Hospital for an autopsy,” said an officer.
According to reports, no injury marks were found on Mishra’s body, and hence it is being speculated that Mishra died of heart attack. “We are not going to take any decision from our side until we see the post-mortem report,” the officer added.
“We have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The body was sent for autopsy at Dr. Cooper hospital,” said Senior Inspector Siraj Inamdaar of Versova police station.
Actor Divyenndu took to Instagram and informed everyone about the heartbreaking news.
"RIP Brahma Mishra. Our Lalit is no more. Let's pray for him everyone," he wrote.
Several other celebrities have also expressed their shock and grief after learning about the untimely demise of Bramha Mishra.
"Heartbreaking," actor Shriya Pilgaonkar wrote on Instagram.
"He brought a smile to a million faces. He will be missed. RIP Bramha Mishra," 'Mirzapur' creator Gurmmeet Singh mourned.
We slept in the same room, the way we used to when Shriya was a little kid-Supriya Pilgaonkar
8:08 AM
In a chat with us, Sachin, Supriya and Shriya Pilgaonkar share their experiences of the last few months
Preeti Atulkar (BOMBAY TIMES; December 20, 2020)
For the Pilgaonkars — Sachin, Supriya and Shriya — 2020, in their own words, has been quite adventurous. They have also had their share of valuable learnings. In a recent chat with us, the three looked back and got candid about the Coronavirus lockdown phase, the concept of working from home and more. Excerpts:
I’M GRATEFUL TO HAVE A HOME AND BE SAFE: SHRIYA
“A major chunk of 2020 was spent at home, in each other’s company,” says Supriya and recalls, “I remember, in the peak summer, our room’s AC malfunctioned and Shriya had to share her room with us. We slept in the same room, the way we used to when she was a little kid.”
To this, Shriya adds that they had a great time and spending time together was thrilling for all of them. She elaborates, “I would often joke saying that we are all roommates. Dad would make yummy meals and we used to work out together. During the pandemic, we have seen the best and worst of humanity. In my case, there were days where I experienced anxiety and then there were times when I felt creatively engaged. Having said that, I’m grateful that we have a home and we are safe.”
Sachin too stresses on looking at the positive things and says, “I am a home-loving person and getting to spend time with family was a boon.”
Sachin adds, “The only thing I feel bad about in the current times is that some people still don’t realise the importance of following safety protocols and guidelines.”
I WAS BED-RIDDEN FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS: SUPRIYA
Recalling the time when Supriya’s foot was fractured, Sachin adds, “She had taken our pet Jack for a walk when she tripped.” Supriya quips, “I was bedridden for almost three months because of that. But my husband really took care of the household chores and Shriya also managed various responsibilities. I was instructing them sitting in one place.” On her part, Shriya says that Jack was the happiest of them all because he was being pampered by all three of them. “He sure was the happiest Pilgaonkar in the household,” laughs Shriya.
WORK-FROM-HOME WILL BE RELEVANT EVEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC: SACHIN
Adapting to the new normal, the Pilgaonkars embraced WFH quite well. Shriya shares, “I did a virtual play called Lockdown Love, and aai even helped me behind the scenes. Also, I shot for a web series from home, which was conceptualized and directed via video calls. I didn’t want to bother my parents through the process, but they enjoyed it. In fact, they helped in various departments be it cinematography, art direction or camera set up, etc.”
Sachin has also been organising talk shows and mushairas online since some time. “I shot for a music video from home. We recreated an old song called Haan Pehli Baar, which was originally picturised on me. I think the concept of work-from-home has gained prominence because of the lockdown, but it will be relevant even in the post-pandemic times,” he says. With shoots and shows having resumed, the three are busy with their projects. Supriya, who will now begin shooting for a Hindi film, also has a Hindi show that will air soon. And Shriya will be seen in the tri-lingual Haathi Mere Saathi, alongside Rana Daggubati.
People suggest plot twists for my character in Mirzapur-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:45 AM
Meted out an early death in Mirzapur, Shriya Pilgaonkar on the love fans continue to shower
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 4, 2020)
Staying within the confines of her home hasn't stopped Shriya Pilgaonkar from having a great year. "The lockdown has been unintentionally productive because I didn't want to do things for the heck of it," says the actor, who has had two major releases this year—Voot Select's Gone Game and Crackdown.
Getting out of her comfort zone, she tried her hand at action with Apoorva Lakhia's Crackdown.
"Divya [her character] has been a physically and emotionally demanding role. You gain expertise in action with practice. I have a lot to learn, but this was a good project to start with."
Pilgaonkar credits gangster-drama Mirzapur for putting her in the limelight. Killed in the first instalment, the actor says fans still shower her with love. "The amount of love that my character Sweety Gupta got is overwhelming at times. It's funny when people still suggest plot twists for my character in the second season. I will miss being part of Mirzapur 2."
Everyone has their own agenda right now-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:16 AM
Shriya Pilgaonkar feels people are believing anything they hear about the Sushant Singh Rajput case
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 16, 2020)
Many believe what started as a cry for fair trial and to unearth the truth behind actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s untimely demise has become just a scathing attack on each other in Bollywood. And actor Shriya Pilgaonkar wants to keep an arm’s distance from all this chatter and suggests others follow suit.
“I don’t watch the news,” she says, adding, “As people, we have a responsibility towards how we consume news, especially when the case is so sensitive. The least we can do is be respectful. The sad part is everyone has their own agenda right now. What all of us, somewhere, want right now is for the authorities to do their job.”
Pilgaonkar also feels everyone is peddling their version of the story. “There is the truth, and then there is everyone’s version. I am just somebody that does not participate in conversations based on baseless information. Now, we have the authorities handling the matter, they need to be given a chance to do the investigation in a fair manner,” adds the Mirzapur actor, 31.
She also laments the hatred being spread by a section of people around the film industry. “The hatred that is spewing, the wrong information that is being peddled… I don’t know how it is going to lead to anything,” she wonders.
Pilgaonkar goes on to say that during the Coronavirus lockdown, people have seen extreme human behaviour — the best and the worst.
“At a time when we need to operate from a place of empathy and kindness towards each other, people are choosing a convenient route behind their screen to just spew hatred, without even understanding what the situation is. I feel very helpless right now. You just don’t know what to do when you see people believing in anything and everything they hear without evidence and investigation. I don’t indulge in that. It is difficult for me to not get depressed about it,” she ends.
We can't put every person from a film family into the bracket of those who have got unjustified luxury-Shriya Pilgaonkar
2:33 PM
Nishad Neelambaran (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 16, 2020)
“A lot of things have fallen in place and we have been able to prioritise our lives very differently for the better. For me, it was all about working on myself, and I wanted to find creative ways to keep myself busy, ” says actor Shriya Pilgaonkar, who calls the Coronavirus lockdown “an important phase” of her life.
As shoots have begun on a small scale, does she think it is the right decision to resume shooting? “It depends on the scale of the shoot, and if the safety and hygiene standards are as per the guidelines. A film set is a beautifully chaotic place, so we will have to be more responsible,” says the 31-year-old actor, who hasn’t started any shoots yet.
When asked her take on the debate around nepotism in the industry, she says, “Nepotism and favouritism exist in every industry. In spite of it, everyone has their own journey. A lot of factors come into play for an actor’s success, and it is not just about the opportunity. It is the response of the audience, the person’s talent and skills, too. I don’t think we can put every person from a film family into the bracket of those who have got unjustified luxury. I like to believe that the industry has welcomed (everyone).”
There won’t be much of a birthday celebration-Shriya Pilgaonkar
8:16 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 25, 2020)
Shriya Pilgaonkar turns a year older today, and this year, her prayer and wish is for “all of us all to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic”. “The last three birthdays have been on a set and I have been grateful to be working on my birthday. But this year, I am happy to be home with my family. The pandemic has made me realise that there are so many basic things which we take for granted. I am aware of the privileges that I have and I did my bit by donating. There won’t be much of a birthday celebration but dad [Sachin Pilgaonkar; actor] is going to cook a dish for me.”
Prior to the lockdown, the actor was constantly travelling and so the first week of staying home was about chilling, spending time with family, reading and watching content. “Doing chores at home takes up a lot of the day and now, there is even more gratitude towards all the help we have. I didn’t want a sense of lethargy to kick in so, I took a course on screenwriting,” she says.
As the pandemic has affected every industry, Pilgaonkar feels that today, people are trying to be creative in their own way. “I enjoyed performing a play online called Lockdown Lovers, produced by Roshan Abbas. We performed it live and that was an experience like no other. We are also working on another series. But I think, it will be a while before things get back to normal as priority today, is to be safe. So, we will have to pull through in these times,” she says.
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