Shriya Pilgaonkar
Shriya Pilgaonkar – Life, Career & Key Insights
Shriya Pilgaonkar (born April 25, 1989) is an Indian actress, director, and producer known for her varied work in Marathi & Hindi films and digital web series. Explore her life, artistic journey, notable roles, and public reflections.
Introduction
Shriya Sachin Pilgaonkar (born 25 April 1989) is an Indian actress, director, and producer who works primarily in Hindi and Marathi media, especially in web series and films.
Daughter of veteran actors Sachin Pilgaonkar and Supriya Pilgaonkar, Shriya has carved her own niche with critically acclaimed performances in Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, Taaza Khabar and more.
Early Life & Family
Shriya was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra on 25 April 1989. Sachin Pilgaonkar Supriya Pilgaonkar
As a child, she trained as a competitive swimmer and won several state-level medals in under-7 and under-9 age brackets. Kathak dance, and reportedly studied Japanese, considering becoming a translator.
For her formal education, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Career & Breakthrough
Early Acting & Theatre
When she was about five years old, Shriya appeared in the Hindi TV serial Tu Tu Main Main, portraying a boy named Bittu. stage debut in a short play Freedom of Love, where she acted, sang, and danced.
Film Debut & Marathi Roots
Her film debut was in Marathi cinema with Ekulti Ek (2013) in which she played Swara. Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Debut Actress for that role.
Following that, she worked in plays such as Internal Affairs and Common People, and also participated in a French film Un plus une as Ayanna.
Bollywood Entry & Web Series
In 2016, she made her Hindi film debut in Fan, starring with Shah Rukh Khan.
However, her major breakthrough came via the digital medium. In 2018, she appeared in Mirzapur in the role of Sweety Gupta—she later described this role as the turning point of her career.
She also starred in Guilty Minds (2022), The Broken News (2022), Taaza Khabar (2023), Dry Day, Ishq-e-Nadaan, and more. Guilty Minds, she was nominated for Best Actress – Drama Series at the Filmfare OTT Awards.
In August 2025, she was cast in the Bollywood thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan, alongside Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
Style, Roles & Approach
Shriya is known for choosing complex, layered characters rather than merely glamorous or stereotypical roles. She has said she does not want to take roles for visibility alone, but prefers roles that resonate and challenge her.
Her credits span multiple languages and media formats—Marathi, Hindi, web series, short films, plays—showing versatility.
Critics have praised her performance in The Broken News as Radha, an investigative journalist, noting she brings flaw and humanity to the role.
Awards & Recognition
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Maharashtra State Film Award – Best Debut Actress for Ekulti Ek (2013)
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Guilty Minds nomination for Filmfare OTT – Best Actress (Drama Series) (2022)
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The Broken News also earned nominations in OTT awards realms
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Won ITA Award – Best Actress Comedy (OTT) in 2023 for Taaza Khabar
Selected Quotes & Public Statements
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On her career focus: “I don’t want to do roles for the sake of visibility.”
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On Mirzapur as her turning point: she stated she is “known as Sweety Gupta to a lot of people,” emphasizing the impact of that role over her film launch.
Recent & Upcoming Projects
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In 2025, Shriya Pilgaonkar joined the cast of Haiwaan (Priyadarshan’s next) alongside Akshay Kumar & Saif Ali Khan.
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Her parents have publicly praised her work in Mandala Murders (2025), noting her ability to “elevate every role.”
Challenges & Public Persona
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As the daughter of well-known actors, she often faces comparisons and expectations tied to her family legacy.
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She has spoken out against trolling and negative commentary, especially when directed at her father, calling it “regrettable” and unnecessary.
Legacy & Influence
Shriya Pilgaonkar represents a generation of actors who fluidly move between traditional cinema and OTT spaces, valuing depth over popularity. Her trajectory shows that legacy may open doors, but skill, choice, and authenticity sustain a career.
She also demonstrates how artists can retain agency: by being selective about roles and striving for characters that reflect truth, not just screen presence.