Exclusive - Shriya Pilgaonkar on the nepotism debate: 'It hasn't been a typical star kid journey, if it was then...'

Shriya Pilgaonkar

Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar is not new to the spotlight, but her journey in the industry has been far from conventional.

Daughter of celebrated actors Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, she grew up in a home filled with stories, music, and culture. In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Shriya sheds light on why she distances herself from the label of a 'typical star kid' and how her rise in the industry has been forged not through legacy, but through auditions and a step-by-step approach.

The term "nepotism" has long been a point of debate in the film industry. When asked about the nepotism debate and if she also got pointed out, she offers a grounded response.

“Every kid who comes from a film family does have some privilege of experience. They do. But my journey has not been a typical star kid journey, because if it was a typical star kid journey, I would have signed multiple films way before. My work has been step-by-step. In fact, a lot of people figured out later after watching Mirzapur that I am Sachin Pilgaonkar’s daughter. It's because of the way I came into the industry, Hindi film industry was through auditions," she told us.

Shriya is currently seen playing the role of SP Devika in Zee 5's Chhal Kapat.

Shriya said she chose a path that was driven by determination and a desire where she let her work do the talking.

“So, the marketing and PR strategy that I used was not that. It was not like I got a launch from a big company like that. Which is why that perception has not been there like that.”

Daughter of Celebrated Parents 

Even with parents deeply entrenched in the world of cinema and television, Shriya carved out her own space — beginning with theatre, moving into Marathi and international cinema, and then making a mark in the digital space with powerful roles in Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar.

“Obviously, if you come from a family of actors, there is privilege of experience because they are there to guide you. They have that knowledge. So that privilege and that emotional support will always be there. Just like in a doctor's family, if the child decides to be the parent's guide. So that is there. But it's not been a typical star kid journey for me. So, the audience has seen the step-by-step growth.”

Despite growing up around stardom, Shriya said that her interest in acting bloomed from a love of storytelling and performance, especially her training in Kathak.

“I decided I wanted to act after my training as a Kathak dancer, because that is something that made me realise how much I love performing. But I have always had a performer's instinct.”

She says her father and actor Sachin's bedtime storytelling also played a pivotal role. “My father would make me listen to a new story every night, an original one that he would write and create. So naturally, I would say somewhere it's in my soul to love stories.”

On the inevitable question of online trolls, especially surrounding nepotism, Shriya is not the one to mince words.

“Actually, you know what, Trolls are the people on the internet who, when they are having a bad day, they also want to ruin someone else's day. So I just feel like when people decide they want to troll, there needs to be no basis for it. Doesn't matter. See or anything to anybody, whether they are a star kid, a non-star kid, or whatever. But actually, I think any artist or actor wants their work to speak. So, if you do feel like there is somebody who does not deserve to be there, their work will show it.”

Watch the Exclusive Interview here:

On the trolling online 

“Trolling is something that is endless. And sadly, there's no accountability. So, people use the opportunity to just remove their frustrations and actually you feel bad for them because how do they have it in them to be so nasty," she further said.

From Sweetie Gupta to complex characters

Known to many as Sweetie Gupta from the famous Mirzapur series, Shriya has since essayed a range of roles that defy one-note characterisation — a lawyer in Guilty Minds, a sex worker in Taaza Khabar, and a journalist in The Broken NCews. Her latest stint sees her wear the uniform of a police officer in a whodunit-style OTT show Chhal Kapat: The Deception, where she plays SP Devika — a character with a strong professional front but a vulnerable personal life.

“I really liked the fact that the show was really not meant to be a very complicated story. It's meant to be a simple whodunit, but with Devika, I liked that there is a certain backstory to her. She's somebody, even though in her professional life as a cop, you see her as the strong girl. But in her personal life, she has an insecure husband.”

This subtle yet powerful commentary on power dynamics in relationships struck a chord with her.

“Even if the show does not get too much of an opportunity to go very deep, but there is an acknowledgement of the fact that there are women who in their personal life have insecure partners when you are in a position of power.”

To play a woman in uniform is a privilege

When asked what makes her say yes to a role, Shriya said that it’s both instinct and depth of character that guides her decisions. “I think there are two or three aspects. One is that the arc or the graph of my character is very important and the story. Because even if you have a great arc, if the story as a whole is not very impactful for you, then nothing really works.”

OTT: The Gamechanger

Shriya also credits OTT platforms for providing her a platform to explore many varied and layered characters.

“Storytelling in general has evolved. And ever since the streaming platforms came to India, there's been much more scope to tell different stories, to tell more inclusive stories, to write better character arcs. I am very grateful to the OTT medium for what it did for my career, because it gave me that scope. Whether it's being a lawyer in Guilty Minds, or Mirzapur for me was like doing a full-blown commercial film. That's the love and success we got with Mirzapur," she said.

She also said that the shifting landscape of female representation is something which is encouraging.

“There was a time phase where women were either the pretty girl next door or the absolute vamp having an affair. But it was this. Black and white. But what incredible spectrum, which is all of us.”

The Wisdom at Home - with her celebrated parents

While Shriya respects and values her parents’ opinions, she is also aware that her path is her own.

“If I need any kind of advice, they are there. I would always want to use their experience to help me be wiser. But with respect to making choices as an actor, because my journey has been so different from their journey, I also like to understand how my mind thinks. They'll always say, do what you feel is right, and do what you feel will make you happy, because it's an unpredictable industry, and you don't know what's going to do well, what's not going to do well. You have to be emotionally strong and navigate your way in showbiz.”

What’s Next for Shriya?

As the buzz around the Mirzapur film builds, Shriya remains cautiously optimistic.

“I'm looking forward to it. I don't have much information about it. But yes, I've been asked to be a part of it. Yeah, it will be good. You know, coming from the Mirzapur series and then a film converting into a film.”

Whether or not Sweetie Gupta makes a dramatic return, one thing is certain — Shriya Pilgaonkar has cemented her place not as a “star kid,” but as a compelling artist who owns her space, her choices, and her voice. And perhaps that’s the most powerful story of all.

Shriya is currently seen in the role of a police office in Zee 5's Chhal Kapat: The Deception.