Shriya Pilgaonkar: Compliments alone won't get you work; other factors also at play
Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar, who recently earned praise for her performance as a cop in the series 'Chhal Kapat', opened up about the realities of working in the entertainment industry. The actor shared that while adulations can be gratifying, it takes much more than compliments to sustain a career. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Shriya also addressed the cancellation of her show 'Guilty Minds', even when it was appreciated by fans and critics alike.advertisementON PROJECTS BEING STALLEDIn a time when people are craving good content, Pilgaonkar said that it's disheartening when an acclaimed project gets stalled. Expressing her honest emotions, she said, "I'll be lying if I said I didn't feel bad that we didn't have a season 2, because I felt like we deserved one."
However, the actor was quick to point out that many decisions are made behind closed doors, driven by a blend of creative and commercial considerations.She said, 'There's the creative side and then there's the commerce part of it. The hope is that both blends, because there's no point making something good if there's no money to market it. Marketing is very important. The industry is going through its own evolution. When streaming platforms entered, there was a surge, and more risks were taken. Then they pulled back. It's a constant ebb and flow."
Caption: A poster of Shriya Pilgaonkar's Chhal Kapat.
advertisementON BREAKING LABELSShriya Pilgaonkar added that she is now setting her sights on films, and is keen to break free from labels. She also spoke about the perils of being 'overexposed', stating, 'It's very easy to be slotted as just a series actor. The industry is waiting to slot you. My shows have been spaced out across the years, so I don't really qualify as overexposed. If you were seeing me on pap pages every day, that would mean overexposure. If it's work, and it's new characters, it's a different tale."The actor shared that she is currently in discussions for a couple of film projects and is also actively developing content herself.She explained, 'There are genres I want to explore that I haven't had the chance to. If certain parts aren't coming my way, I have to be creative and find ways to do them. Just because someone is saying they like you as an actor, that's not enough to get you work. There are so many other factors involved. You have to think of it as showbiz."ON PAP CULTURE IN INDIAGoing back on the topic of visibility and celebrity culture, Shriya discussed the pap culture trend in India, and how many young actors have managed to make careers out of these spotting.advertisement'Good for them; that's their dream and their path. But for me, being known as an actor first is important. I want to work all my life, not just be discussed for a short period," she said.When asked about her equations with the paparazzi, the actor smiled to say, "I love the paps. I have had comfortable experiences where boundaries were respected. Of course, they have their favourites, who they want to chase, and that's fine. Today, when you present yourself as an actor, there are many elements beyond your craft that are part of your work. I treat that as work too; judgement need not be there,' Shriya Pilgaonkar said.Pilgaonkar's 'Chhal Kapat' is streaming on ZEE5.- Ends
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