Making her international debut with Chadha’s Beecham house, Shriya Pilgaonkar on establishing herself amidst a powerhouse of international talent
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 19, 2019)

Pulling off a promising act as Ali Fazal’s wife in the web show Mirzapur, Shriya Pilgaonkar felt like a débutant all over again after the show’s success earned her further recognition. “It has changed the momentum of my career. More interesting work is coming my way now. For the first time, I’m experiencing this kind of recognition. When I least expect it, people randomly call out to me by [my character’s name], Sweety. People tell my parents to convey their love for me,” says the actor, whose ill-fated character was eventually killed off in the thriller. “Even then, I get messages from people on Instagram suggesting ways in which my character could be brought back into the series. They are hilarious, but also flattering.” Is she then set to make a return to the show? “I don’t know yet.”

Up next, Pilgaonkar moves on to another promising offering. Gurinder Chadha’s British historical drama Beecham House has established names like Lesley Nicole and Tom Bateman as the headlining cast. Pilgaonkar, who slips into the part of a nursemaid in the show that is set in Delhi before the British rule, says, “Gurinder is a powerhouse. This is the first time I’m doing a period drama, so I was nervous, at first. I took this opportunity to read up about the time period that the show is set in. I also took voice and diction lessons, which were interesting. Gurinder helped us develop our characters, and find our place in the ensemble cast. I had seen the works of some of my co-actors, including Lesley, Mark Warren and Bateman. So, I was excited to work with them.”

Having auditioned for the role of Chanchal, a “feisty and charming girl with a mysterious past”, who turns up at John Beecham’s palatial Beecham House to take care of his baby, Pilgaonkar describes her character as one who is adventurous. “Chanchal has many shades to her. She is unpredictable, and discovers a lot about love throughout the course of the series.”

Shooting for the show took place in London's Ealing Studios last year. “We shot the India schedule in Jaipur and Udaipur.”

Sachin, Supriya Pilgaonkar’s daughter Shriya on featuring in Gurinder Chadha’s TV series with Tom Bateman, Lesley Nicol
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2018) 

Shriya Pilgaonkar, the 29-year-old daughter of actors Sachin and Supriya, has joined the cast of Gurinder Chadha’s TV series Beecham House. Her co-star is Tom Bateman who has featured in Hollywood films like Murder On The Orient Express and Snatched. It is currently being filmed in London and also features Brit actor Marc Warren known for shows like The Vice and State Of Play and Lesley Nicol of Downton Abbey.

The actress who was earlier seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s Fan, besides a Marathi and French film, informs that Beecham House is essentially a period drama set in Delhi, on the cusp of the 19th century, before the British rule in India. “It is the story of the residents of this palatial house and what happens when John Beecham arrives with a mysterious child and his caretaker. My character, Chanchal, is an intriguing, ambitious, passionate and secretive girl with a mysterious past. She has an interesting track and I’m looking forward to seeing how the evolves,” informs an excited Shriya who has always enjoyed lessons in history.

She goes on to reveal that they have been shooting at London’s Ealing Studios. “We are shooting in London against a 1902 setting for five weeks. Many classics and TV series have been filmed here, including Downton Abbey which I really like,” says Shriya, admitting that she’d auditioned for the part a while ago and when she didn’t hear from the makers she’d assumed that she had lost out, only to get an message to leave for London immediately. “Some of the best things come out of nowhere!” she exults.

Shriya describes Gurinder as a “powerhouse” who is driven to tell diverse stories and points out that as someone who enjoys direction, she finds the filmmaker inspiring to work with. “Beecham House has been a passion project for her,” she avers, equally gung-ho about her interaction with SRK during the Fan shoot, saying it was almost surreal getting a glimpse of the man behind the star. “He is so witty and well-read, and that made me love him even more.”

Her next Hindi film is Anubhav Sinha’s political satire, Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, which will be releasing soon. There are two other films in the pipeline that will roll next year.

Quiz her on her actor parents and the profession, and she says, she’s a lot like my father who wants to do it all, be it in front of the camera or behind it. “My parents have always been supportive and allowed me to explore. I never took acting as a career choice for granted, I’ve worked hard to carve my own niche and that’s what makes them proud. I want to do it all, be in front of the camera and behind it ,” she signs off.