Latest news with #GuiltyMinds
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First Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Shriya Pilgaonkar on her series 'Guilty Minds' not being renewed for season 2: 'Don't know what the reasons were, it wasn't even a very expensive show and...'
Shriya Pilgaonkar is making some really interesting choices as an actress. She has acted in both films and OTT and especially on the streaming platform, she has titles like The Broken News, Taaza Khabar, and Guilty Minds, which became one of the best reviewed shows of 2022. Pilgaonkar's new web-series 'Chhal Kapat' drops on Zee5 today and is a whodunnit where the actress plays the investigative officer. In an exclusive interview, she speaks about this show, her reaction to Guilty Minds not being renewed for another season, and the evolution of content in the last few years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Edited excerpts from the interview How did you prepare for this role of an investigating officer? It's interesting because Devika Rathore's character is not like the usual aggressive cop or the usual portrayal you may see, as male cops maybe portrayed. Devika is somebody who asserts her authority even through her smile, even through her silences. And for me, it was very interesting to develop a certain kind of a body language to her and also to understand her inner world because she's recently been widowed. She lost her husband in an accident recently, and she wanted to move from a larger town to a smaller place. She wanted to change her, she she got posted there because she wanted to move away from the big city and the noise. So she is basically at a very interesting juncture in her life. So when you see her when I wanted to play her, I did not want to play her like a typical aggressive cop. So more than watching cop films or trying to copy any mannerisms, for me, it was really about working with my director and writers and creating Devika from scratch. So do you see any similarities between Shree and Devika? Devika's character is very instinctive, very, sharp, and she a good she has a very sharp instinctive sense about people. And I think that is something that I can say is common between Devika and I because, more often than not, I'm also very instinctive about people and situations. Of course, sometimes I've been wrong, but, mostly I think I can say that I'm quite sharp with my instincts. So that is one thing that I can say. And since this is a whodunnit, while you were reading the script or while the script was being narrated to you, were you curious to know what's going to happen next? That's the reason why I decided to do this because whodunit is my favourite genre. And, I've grown up watching and reading Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton, Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, and we've grown up watching a lot of murder mysteries and investigative dramas. So the reason that I actually even wanted to do this is because I really like the format of seven episodes, 20-25 minutes each. It's a family entertainer. And the way it's written, it's very crisp, and I could see myself wanting to know more because I was hooked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You have made some really interesting choices as an actor. I want to ask you ever since the streaming platform has seen a rise, how much do you feel we have seen content evolve or change. It has. There's no two ways about it. And, see, evolution is a part of showbiz, and they'll constantly be learning and unlearning. And I'm very grateful that makers have trusted me with really good scripts and nuanced characters, whether it was a lawyer in Guilty Minds or Mirzapur or a sex worker in Taaza Khabar or a journalist. I feel like all these parts that I've played have been so beautifully written that I've had so much creative emotional fulfilment in my journey playing these different parts. But like I said, we also have to accept that the industry keeps going through its process. You know, there's a phase where sometimes there's too much content that's not very good out there, and then there'll be something amazing and inspiring that comes out, and then everyone try to make that. But, eventually, content that really works is content that is authentic, which is original and not trying to be something that it's not. So I feel like actors like me are very grateful to the OTT space because of the way it paved for us to bring our skills to the table, and the hope is for for work on OTT to also bring in more film work. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You just said that there is a lot of content out there, which is not good, and we have seen multiple seasons of that show. But when it comes to Guilty Minds, as you said, it was original. It was inspiring. It was amazing. It was one of the best shows of 2022, and yet we get the heart-breaking news that it will not be renewed for season two. I was also heartbroken. I don't have any answer to your question. I myself don't know what to say. I don't know what to say to this. I don't know what the reasons were, whether it was a business decision because it was not even a very big show. It was not even a very expensive show. So I don't know, but I also feel like what happens is sometimes shows that people claim that they don't like, are spoken so much about on social media that eventually people are curious and they go watch it and that gives the numbers. So it becomes cringe watching. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Maybe it has to do with their machinery. I guess somewhere good shows need the support of good mounting as well. And I think somewhere, even the media needs to support it. Even the audience needs to support it. Because the same audience who's asking for good content needs to also support it with numbers. I was very emotionally attached to that show, and I felt very sad to know that we wouldn't be doing a season two, and we just have to accept it and then hopefully make others other stuff now. What do I say? How would you describe the character of Devika? Devika as a cop is very strong, but in her personal life, she feels disrespected and she knows her husband was very insecure about her. And I think a lot of women in power may be going through the same thing where they don't they have that respect of at work, but they may not be surrounded by people who are secure and respectful to them in their personal life. So I hope when people watch it, they are inspired, especially women, to stay in their power and to stand up for themselves. That is one thing that is a very interesting layer to Devika's character STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's not about just doing this once. I think it's about creating different characters because the cop in Singham to the cop Rani Mukerji in Mardaani to Delhi Crime to Chhal Kapat, they're all different versions of people in the system.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shriya Pilgaonkar: You have to be grounded — that's the only way to navigate a world full of deception
With a string of impactful performances across the OTT space — Mirzapur , Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar — has carved a distinct space for herself. Now, she's all set to headline the whodunnit series Chhal Kapat The Deception . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What makes this project especially intriguing is that it marks her first time donning a uniform — though her character is far from the typical onscreen cop. It's a nuanced role with secrets of its own. Shriya as Devika, a cop, in Chhal Kapat The Deception A longtime fan of the mystery genre, Shriya says, 'I'm actually a huge fan of whodunits — since childhood. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, Secret Seven... There used to be these one-minute murder mystery books I'd devour and try to solve. In fact, I once worked as a voice artist for a detective show when I was younger, so the detective element has always been a part of my life.' What drew her to this role wasn't just the thrill of investigation but the complexity of the character. 'I think naturally women have that detective instinct, even in everyday life. So of course, I was drawn to the genre. But just wearing a uniform wasn't enough — I wanted to explore the person behind the badge,' she explains. Shriya continues, 'We've seen iconic characters like Ma'am in Delhi Crime or Jaideep Ahlawat's Hathi Ram Chaudhary in Paatal Lok . What interested me was understanding who Devika is. She's a young woman coping with the loss of her husband, relocating to a small town for a quieter life — only to be thrown into a case the moment she arrives. As the investigation unfolds, so does her inner world. And like the title Chhal Kapat The Deception suggests, she isn't exactly who she appears to be either. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That multi-layered vulnerability is what drew me to her — those very human complexities make a story come alive.' The show's title — a nod to duplicity — naturally extends to real life as well. Ask Shriya how she navigates a world full of hidden motives, and she offers, 'You have to be very grounded yourself. That's especially important for an actor. You don't need too many people, but surround yourself with the right energy. I'm instinctive, and rarely have I been wrong about people. It's all about expectation management. In this industry, building trust takes time — there's always a give and take. So, you need to keep relationships that aren't based on transactions, close. That's where your grounding lies. Because when you're rooted, you're not constantly seeking validation or trying to please people.' Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, Chhal Kapat The Deception also stars Kamya Ahlawat, Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, and Anuj Sachdeva in key roles.
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First Post
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
'Khauf' and 'Sacred Games' actress Priyanka Setia: 'There's a fear of being a girl, I was driving alone at night recently and…'
She was recently seen in the highly-acclaimed series Khauf and in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, spoke about her prep, the world of the show, and the significance of the moniker. read more Priyanka Setia is a powerhouse performer with over a decade of experience across theatre, film, and digital platforms. Trained under Pankaj Kapur, she has acted in 25+ stage productions and earned acclaim for her roles in hit series like Sacred Games, Rudra, Guilty Minds, Aranyak, and The Office. Priyanka works extensively in the theatre industry and is best known for her roles in Poor Box Productions' The Vagina Monologues, Shikaar and Blank Page. On the big screen, she's known for her impactful performances in Begum Jaan, Khufiya, Hawaizaada, and Haseena Parker. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beyond performing, Priyanka also wears the creator's hat as the writer and creative brain behind Khalbali Records, an experimental and genre-defying show on JioCinema that dives into the world of music. She was recently seen in the highly-acclaimed series Khauf and in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, spoke about her prep, the world of the show, and the significance of the moniker. Edited excerpts from the interview Khauf has received some fabulous reviews. What are the responses that you have been receiving so far about the show, the content, the performance, everything? I think everybody is very, very happy. And I think everybody saw something, I'll not say binge worthy is the word, but something which is so layered and which is so dense, and it engages you. And I think it is so raw and real. Smita, Pankaj, and I think all the actors, we have tried to achieve this. We tried to do it, and I think we achieved it. People are just surprised. You know, even we were surprised. Amazon is surprised. We were not expecting this kind of response from Khauf. But it did very well for us. So I'm very happy. I'm very happy that people like it, and I'm so happy to be very honest, that in this day and age where we say key attention span is less. Where we say people don't want to engage in meaningful content, where we say people just want to see this, funny one liner content. People here are willing to sit down and engage with something that is cerebral. So I think I'm very happy with this response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So how was the prep for this character? So, when I auditioned for it, and since then, I think there's only one person who I've been drowning with my questions and that is Smita. The whole credit goes to Smita because it was written so well. And then everything I wanted to know about this character, where is her journey, whatever, I think I would. I just would pick up a call and call her and she would just help me with it. Other than that, for my personal prep, I do what majorly every actor does, getting more into the character, understanding her life choices, her world view, where she is coming from. And I am the kind of actor who does back stories. I know it is looked down upon, and people are not very, you know, they like few actors, they think that why do we need a back story? I mean, to each its own. Right? It's your own individual process. So for me, I have this whole thing of going with the backstory. I met the guy who's playing my husband. I've done one theatre play with him, so I knew him from before. So we met a couple of times, and then we narrowed, we started digging into life. Why are we on such bad terms now? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Well, I even wrote in Rima's diary. So I went into really great depths with the character because I feel it is good to be prepped and do your homework rather than and then let it be there. Your homework is there. And then when you go on stage or you go in front of the screen, a part of it will be there, showing itself in the character somewhere without revealing. What does the title signify for you? It's not just a horror show for sure. Khauf for me, of course, it is for the masses, it is like, to just attract the audience, to just have them enter the room, it is Khauf to tell them that, yes, it's a horror show. But, otherwise, majorly what Smita tried to do with it and what the show is about, the Khauf of being a woman and living and surviving on daily basis in cities like India, but majorly in cities like Delhi or places like that. Khauf is just this whole fear of being a girl. I'm in Goa right now. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And last night, my friend called me to a place, and I was driving a car. Even in that car, I was driving alone, and I was reaching that place. And there was this stretch of road with no lights and empty, and you know how Goa can get at night. Every place is not lit properly. So the first thing that came to my mind, oh my god. If two boys come, what will I do? So constantly, as a woman living up with this Khauf and I've, been brought up in Delhi. I have had those unwanted glares and unwanted touches and unwanted comments. You have been trained under the maverick, the maestro, maverick Pankaj Kapur. So how has that shaped you as an actor over the last few years, your journey as an actor? What are the learnings that have still stayed with you? See, I did a fifteen day workshop with him and the very initial phase of my career. What stayed with me and I think I'm blessed because that was my entry to this world. I was a flight attendant before. So that was my just first entry and with him I think with Pankaj sir, what stayed with me is discipline. With Pankaj sir, what stayed with me is when you go on a set or when you do a character, it's not just going and doing the lines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yes. It is a major part of it, remembering your lines and script and going and, you know, nibbling it. But when you are in your presence, there is always a being as a being, there is always something which is coming out of you. There is always something that you're saying. You're you are you're never neutral. I think that stayed with me because of how the emotions enter the body and how the body operates from there. Mhmm. And the trust that you need to give to your body for that, you know, that came from Pankaj sir. I hope I made some sense.
News18
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Shriya Pilgoankar's Guilty Minds Season 2 Cancelled Over Budget Concerns
The first season was released in 2022 and had a total of 10 episodes. Shriya Pilgoankar starrer Guilty Minds will not return for a second season on Prime Video. The streaming giant has cancelled the season, reportedly due to budgetary issues. This was a courtroom drama that also starred Varun Mitra, Sugandha Garg, Namrata Sheth, Satish Kaushik, Kulbhushan Kharbanda among others. The first season was released in 2022 and had a total of 10 episodes. The series was critically acclaimed, and this cancellation comes as a big disappointment for fans. According to a report by Hollywood Reporter India, Prime Video has canceled the second season of Guilty Minds, which was being developed after being commissioned internally. The 2022 show, written and directed by Shefali Bhushan and Jayant Digambar Somalkar, received widespread praise for its authenticity and performances, but, reportedly, the streamer believed the second season would require a budget that was not feasible in the current entertainment industry landscape. The publication quoted a source as saying, 'Developing the second season was almost done when the team was informed that Prime Video is pulling the plug. The reason given was budget issues; it has been tough for shows to get commissioned and tougher even for relatively medium budget shows to break out." Last month, the series completed two years and marking the special occasion, Shriya Pilgoankar told Zoom, 'I can't believe it's been two years since Guilty Minds released. It's a gift that keeps giving. For me, the process of working on that series was transformational as an actor. And it's so rare to find a character as beautiful and complex as Kashaf Quaze that I truly learnt a lot from that experience." Moreover, owing to budget concerns, Prime Video has made some changes to its client experiences as well. Starting from June 17, movies and TV shows on the streaming platform will include limited advertisements. As per their official statement, this measure will allow them to continue investing in great content while gradually expanding. Moreover, they are committed to having significantly fewer advertisements than TV channels and other streaming providers. They also ensure that users will not be required to revise their membership plans. Earlier, another streaming platform, Netflix abruptly canceled the second season of its survival thriller Kaala Paani only days before shooting began. The streamer had renewed the show for a second season in 2023. First Published:
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First Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
After Netflix's 'Kaala Paani,' Prime Video's show 'Guilty Minds' season two cancelled due to this reason- Details inside
The reason is budgetary issues that has led to the cancellation of quite a few season twos. read more After Netflix's 'Kaala Paani,' Prime Video's show 'Guilty Minds' season two cancelled. The reason is budgetary issues that has led to the cancellation of quite a few season twos. Talking about Kaala Paani first, a source shared, 'There were budget issues that came up and couldn't be resolved despite several back-and-forth meetings. After multiple discussions, it was mutually decided that Kaala Paani 2 couldn't move forward, keeping in mind various factors, the budget being one of them. The crew was prepping for preproduction, which was to begin in May, but they have now been informed of the cancellation.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Guilty Minds 2 'Developing the second season was almost done when the team was informed that Prime Video is pulling the plug. The reason given was budget issues; it has been tough for shows to get commissioned and tougher even for relatively medium budget shows to break out,' sources told The Hollywood Reporter. What Shriya Pilgonkar said about the show 'I can't believe it's been two years since Guilty Minds released. It's a gift that keeps giving. For me, the process of working on that series was transformational as an actor. And it's so rare to find a character as beautiful and complex as Kashaf Quaze that I truly learnt a lot from that experience.' It was the first time that she had played a lawyer on an OTT series."
