Even most prolific film actors can’t do what stage actors can, says actor Shriya Pilgaonkar

At Democracy Wall, actor Shriya Pilgaonkar says even if a country’s economy is thriving but its women are not safe, there is no point.

Shriya Pilgaonkar at ThePrint's Democracy Wall in Kolkata | ThePrint

New Delhi: Mirzapur actress Shriya Pilgaonkar finds being on stage a “spiritual” experience and says some of the most prolific film actors can’t do what stage actors can.

Pilgaonkar, who is a film and television actress, director, producer as well as a stage performer, explained how the world of cinema and theatre have both shaped her practice.

She was speaking at the fifth edition of Democracy Wall, a free-speech initiative, which was held Saturday at NUJS, Kolkata. Pilgaonkar explained how her journey from stage to screen was encouraged by her father — veteran actor and director Sachin Pilgoankar — who offered her a film after seeing her perform in a play.

“People don’t think of actors as intelligent. They think actors don’t read, that they’re just vain,” said Pilgaonkar at the event, where she discussed everything from her career, the citizenship law and the safety of women.

“I have a lot of respect for stage actors. Some of the most prolific film actors can’t do what stage actors can. But stage performers can do anything,” she said.

“I’m a nerd at heart, I love learning things. Learning lines, understanding text, and coming out on stage and going with the flow — you learn a lot about yourself. Although the pay and reach of theatre might not be as good as cinema, but the commitment theatre actors have is very inspiring.”

Pilgaonkar who made her debut her father’s 2013 Marathi film Ekulti Ek, for which she won the Maharashtra State Government Award for Best Debut Actress, was initially hesitant about how people would react to her. But she took the plunge once her mother — also an acclaimed actor, Supriya Pilgaonkar — convinced her that it was her talent that would be the real test.

Since then she has been part of successful projects like Mirzapur (2018), the Amazon Prime Video Indian crime thriller web series, and Netflix’s British Drama Series Bechaam House and more recently House Arrest (2019).

“I learn much more from rejections, than success. My profession has so many ups and downs, I don’t want to lose myself in it,” she said, on the pressures of working in the Indian film industry.

“My idea of success is not how many films I’ve done. My idea of success is really to go through this journey and not lose myself. Keep myself intact —- mentally and emotionally.”

Citizenship, women’s safety

Pilgaonkar also spoke about the current protest over the citizenship bill being passed Parliament. The Citizenship Act in its current form, she said, was discriminatory in nature.

“Growing up, we were taught and made to believe that the thing to be proud of about our country is that we’re secular, that we work and go ahead with our differences. I don’t know what the law will be going ahead, but everyone’s voice is important.”

She said that it seems like everyone today is simmering with anger about some issue or the other, but the important thing to do is to take a deep breathe and focus on doing the right thing.

“For me, as a woman, more than talking about the economy or having a conversation about the GDP, what’s more important is what’s happening in your house.”

She said that even if a country’s economy was thriving, but its women were not safe, then there is no point. “Boys need to equally participate in the conversation. You may feel, I’m not like this, I’m not this person, but you need to educate those around you.”