Shriya Pilagonkar’s performances in shows from diverse genres have raised the bar of what she has to offer as a gifted artist. Expressing unadulterated gratitude for a pedestal like Mirzapur that put her on the map and was an absolute game-changer and the various learnings she keeps picking up with every versatile story she has to tell. With shows like Beecham House, Crackdown, The Gone Game, 13 Mussoorie - she's lived every character as an embodiment of her artistic self and told every story with undeterred conviction. With a new OTT show on the brink of its release, she shares insights on how she makes it look easy whilst enjoying the process every step of the way.
The world of OTT has been extremely rewarding to you. How would you describe your journey so far with The Gone Game, Beecham House, Crackdown, of -course Mirzapur, and now Guilty Minds?
OTT has been extremely game-changing for my career in that sense, especially in terms of the opportunities I have had. Mirzapur was a very important factor for me to give me momentum, but even doing something like Beecham House by Gurinder Chadha, which was such a wonderful experience- my first international series, or doing crackdown where I got to do action. I felt like people are willing to take more risks and are willing to give people more of a chance; to push them to challenge them in the OTT space, a little more. I feel like with films we sometimes end up playing it a little safe perhaps because there are other kinds of pressures. So yeah and for me, Guilty Minds is an incredibly important show because this is perhaps the first time I get to carry something on my shoulders and to play a part like Kashaf Quaze has been an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience for me.
Tell us how Guilty Minds came your way and a little about your role where you play a lawyer.
I remember the first time I read the name ‘Kashaf Quaze’, I immediately felt a vibe. It is such a beautiful name I felt very attracted to the name, I felt curious about her and I felt like I wanted to know her. Kashaf is quite a force to reckon with, she’s a very complex person. I would say she is righteous, idealistic, and has very strong morals. She takes up cases mainly in public litigation and the ones she truly believes in. Things are not black and white, things are all kinds of grey which is why I feel like Kashaf as a character has gone through a journey of her own in the show that’s not always been very easy for her. And there are also some personal battles that we evolve through the show. And the fun part is Deepak Rana, her friend from college is someone very close to her and she ends up arguing with him in court several times. So that’s also an interesting aspect of the show.
How did you start prepping for your role in Guilty Minds and what challenges did you face?
Kashaf is very different from who I am as a person. But if I have to tell you something common between us, it is our instinct to protect the people that we love and care for. And Kashaf has that instinct very strongly, I think it is a beautiful combination of being vulnerable and strong. In terms of preparation, in terms of the lawyer aspect of it, I spoke to a lot of my friends who are lawyers, and I went to the high court. And I remember when I went to the high court I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not overly dramatic at all. There was a judge and the lawyers were presenting their matter in a very dignified way and I was like ‘where is the drama that these films promised us.' But at the same time I went to another room wherein there was a flamboyant lawyer and that gave me the understanding that eventually lawyers are performers. They bring their persona to the court and their personality to fight the cases the way they have to. So I could create Kashaf from scratch. And my director Shefali, who also comes from a family of lawyers, was someone I completely surrendered myself to because she has such an intimate and detailed understanding of this world.
Do you feel the pressure of expectations after the massive success of Mirzapur?
I think it’s good if people expect things from you. Mirzapur was very important for me because Sweety Gupta was able to resonate with people. Even though it was not my show in that sense, I was not headlining the show but the writing was so beautiful. From Sweety Gupta, Kashaf Quaze’ would be a very good transition for people to see. For me, it is very important to want to surprise people with what I am capable of and that is what an actor wants. To be able to explore work on your craft and Guilty Minds allowed me that. I had to make sure that Kashaf as a lawyer wasn't trying too hard. I have to do it in such a way that it seems like this is my job for a long time and there has to be a certain sense of ease. Which is not always easy to acquire.
Your parents Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar are both respected actors in the industry - what is the kind of advice they give you about this chosen career?
We have never sat down and had conversations where they have said ‘I'll tell you about acting’. I think what's very important for them is for me to carry myself with grace in all stages of my life. They have always wanted to focus on the journey, the process, and always learn. And try in some way to not depend too much on the outcomes because that can be hurtful. They just want me to be happy and not stressed because they feel today with social media and so many other aspects, PR, all of these promotions there is so much more than what they had to do. They see the level of things we have to do and they feel that sometimes it can get stressful. So they just remind me to have fun, grow as an actor, and work on my skills because that is what is going to take you forward.
Do you discuss your projects and scripts and take feedback from them?
Some projects I do discuss with them If I am unsure of them but a lot of the time I feel I'd like it to be fresh for them too. I want them to watch it as an audience because I know what they have to say to me will come not as parents but as artists, talking to another artist. My father has always wanted to play a lawyer on screen. He loves the law. And despite a career of over 60 years and having done more than 150 films, he has never had the chance to play a lawyer. So when Guilty Minds happened the first person I told was my dad and he was so happy. And my mother was so excited she has been watching the trailer on loop because they know how much this process has meant to me. They watched it and observed it very closely. So they're excited and I am very nervous like I can't wait for them to watch it and tell me what they think.
Any top actors or directors that you wish to collaborate with?
Oh, so many! In terms of directors, there are so many I'd love to work with. Zoya Akhtar has such a good sense of relationships, visions, and making films that are not just entertaining. Shoojit Sircar, Anubhav Sinha, and Anurag Basu; are the filmmakers that I think strike a great balance in terms of storytelling. In terms of factors- Ranbir, and Ranveer, are two very different personalities but I think they always bring their A-game and they can mould themselves. I also really like Vicky Kaushal, when I look at his graph I think it's so inspiring. Also, Adarsh Gourav is an actor I have loved immensely and I think he was fantastic in White Tiger. It inspires me when I see how every actor has had a different journey yet they can get to where they want to. So there is no one way to reach where you want to go. Even someone like Alia Bhatt what a journey she has had. When you see other actors also do well, their graph and their opportunities you also feel inspired. I am seeking good films, I feel like I have not been able to get too many good opportunities but things are changing now. Some exciting projects are coming my way so touch wood, it is a good year for me.
Some recent releases that you've enjoyed watching and any roles you would have liked to play yourself?
I feel like when I watch something most of the time I enjoy the performances so my mind doesn't tell me that I wish I could do this role. But I liked Gangubai Kathiawadi, I thought it was very well done, not an easy part to do. Jalsa, I liked it. Because the kind of storytelling and the stories which are being written for women have expanded, the scope of performance and the scope of stories and narratives are so much better now. I feel like initially there was a very cliche stereotype and a typical way of looking at it. Either you are the girl next door or you got this ambitious vamp. Today you see real women with desires, being vulnerable, flawed, and strong all at the same time all across ages too. You have Shefali ma’am, Neena ma’am, and then you have the younger generation. I love the sort of work Sanya Malhotra is doing. So it is nice to see women's stories centred around women who get to be in different circumstances where they can be themselves. There are certain moments in Kashaf's childhood that she hasn't dealt with. And then we see her dealing with those inner demons, and those were not easy scenes for me too to perform.
Loading Next Article...
SHOW COMMENTS