Shriya Pilgaonkar says she’s been lucky to receive scripts that have entertained her fans, while also trying to bring a little change in society. Speaking at the Times Now Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi, Shriya shared her stance on how, as an artist, she tries to impart the message of sustainability and how she inculcates steps in her personal life. The 37-year-old also opened up on roles that changed her view at a larger level. Daughter of veteran actors Sachin Pilgaonkar and Supriya Pilgaonkar, Shriya made her acting debut with Fan (2016) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, and went on to establish herself as a bankable actor, especially in the OTT space. Her popular web shows include Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News and Mandala Murders.
Characters that entertain and have a viewpoint
first revealed how she picks her projects, eventually sharing the stories that excite her. “I’ve picked scripts that excite me. Mirzapur was something that I thought was very entertaining. I loved the story of The Broken News, set in the world of reporting. I felt it was a character that could create an impact. Guilty Minds is in the world of legal drama. So I’ve been lucky to play characters that will shake you, have a point of view.”
Calling it her “little contribution” towards making a “difference,” Shriya shared that she wants to be “part of stories that stand for something, along with stories that entertain, and make you forget your problems for some time.”
Shriya Pilgaonkar in Mirzapur, Guilty Minds and The Broken News
Roles that changed her view towards society
In her 10th year of career, Shriya has, over the years, carved her niche with the kind of character she’s played. She takes time to pick the right scripts that mostly end up receiving applause. So has there been any role that changed her view towards society?
Shriya said being an actor gives her the privilege of “living many lives in one lifetime.” She said her job also lets her understand herself better. Citing examples from her shows, Shriya shared, “Playing Radha Bhargav in The Broken News gave me a sense of the turmoil of wanting to make a difference, but what it actually means in a society. How dirty your hands really get to make a difference, or Guilty Minds, where I played a lawyer, Kashaf Quaze. These two women had a strong impact on me.”
Her job allows her to speak on relevant things
The young star adds that all this gives her a “privilege to connect with the audience.” She said, “Sometimes we end up having little power, we end up making some kind of a difference by speaking about things we are passionate about, and people listen.”