Latest news with #ShriyaPilgaonkar
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
ZEE5's Chhal Kapat is a Hindi Web Series That Turns Every Truth into a Ticking Time Bomb
Make yourself ready for an emotional ride and a suspenseful murder mystery, as ZEE5 unveils another exciting original. ZEE5's Hindi series 'Chhal Kapat: The Deception' breaks the mould of normal crime shows. It mixes stories about friends, people who betray each other, and hidden secrets that come to light. The show reveals dark truths that nobody sees coming! Now, let's discuss what about Chhal Kapat makes it worth putting on your watchlist and outstanding among Hindi crime thrillers. Amazing Crew and Cast Shriya Pilgaonkar takes on the key role of Inspector Devika Rathore, a curious cop who is sharp and has long lapses in her memory because of her past. Normally, as a law enforcement officer, Shriya would lean towards stereotypes, but she chose to break from that in this film. Devika, played by her, is not afraid to swear, has a clouded sense of right and wrong, and is very sharp in her thinking. This latest Hindi web series on ZEE5 packs its story with eight actors who play friends with dark secrets! Kamya, Ragini, Tuhina, and Yahhve bring their characters to life. Pranay, Smaran, Anuj, and Keshav fill out this group of possible bad guys. Shriya Pilgaonkar's Life and Recent Projects In Chhal Kapat: The Deception, Shriya Pilgaonkar steps out of her comfort zone by playing a police officer. The writers made Inspector Devika Rathore complex in her morality and emotions, which matches the unique talent of Shriya Saran. After winning praise for her work in Guilty Minds and The Broken News, she keeps experimenting and expanding her range of roles. This big job shows how much people like her work. The film world sees her as a top star with fresh ideas. People who make movies now look up to Shriya. Her name means something big in movies today! ZEE5 Hindi web series: A Wedding Becomes a Mystery Where a Murder Occurs At the beginning of the ZEE5 Hindi web series, there is a joyful wedding in Burhanpur that fills everyone with happiness and song. The psychological state of the guests does not last long when they sense that something is wrong, as the bride's best friend turns up dead in suspicious circumstances. The party meant for fun turns into a big mess! Police show up! Inspector Devika Rathore jumps on the case. She hunts for clues while wedding guests tell lies to her face. These people who call themselves friends hide dark secrets from each other! The story shows what happens when friends face tough times. These wedding guests kept their real feelings buried deep down. But now? Their true faces show! Things they never wanted anyone to know burst into the open at the worst time. The truth crashes their perfect party just when nobody expects it! Besides challenging Devika at work, the investigation compels everyone to face hard truths and unexpected challenges. What Makes the Hindi Web Series on ZEE5 Chhal Kapat Different? Chhal Kapat—The Deception fits within the crime thriller and mystery profile, but it stands out because of its special storytelling and the way it builds characters, compared to other Hindi web series on ZEE5 and elsewhere. A lead character with mixed morals Inspector Devika Rathore is not a standard good-guy-bad-guy character. Her flaws are obvious; she has many arguments with people, and her background gives her personality more complexity. Thanks to this complication, the genre is kept fresh, giving viewers a main character who is easy to connect with and who is difficult to figure out. Close and Cramped Area The wedding gathering in a small town plays a big role in creating tension in the show. Because the characters are together all the time, the low tension makes it hard for viewers to trust anyone. Help Women Gain Power This show puts a woman in the driver's seat – not some man! Inspector Devika Rathore breaks the rules. Other crime shows have guys solving crimes. Not this one! Shriya plays a tough cop who tackles the hard case. She shows no fear. She makes her own rules! Feelings Hide Under Clues You want to solve the mystery. But the show digs deeper! It shows how friends trust and hurt each other. Old actions from the past jump up and bite people now. The story twists and turns with each new secret that pops out! Final Verdict ZEE5's Hindi show 'Chhal Kapat: The Deception' stands out from the pack. It flips the crime story on its head! A wedding should bring joy – but this one brings murder! The happy face of the wedding hides dark secrets underneath. Shriya Pilgaonkar makes Inspector Devika come alive on screen. You feel like you know her! The cast brings their best work. The camera work pulls you right into the story. The plot keeps you guessing until the end. Watch this if boring murder shows put you to sleep! This one wakes you up! If you like thrillers full of interesting people and difficult decisions, you'll love watching this. The series premiered in June 2025; you can watch it first on ZEE5. There's much suspense, mystery, and story ahead. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
NDTV
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Exclusive: Shriya Pilgaonkar On Pressure Of Being Replaced By Bigger Names - "You Never Know What's Happening In Those Rooms"
New Delhi: Shriya Pilgaonkar, who was last seen playing a police officer in ZEE5's Chhal Kapat The Deception, opened up about navigating industry pressures, including the fear of being replaced by bigger names. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Shriya reflected on how she deals with the unpredictability of showbiz. "The pressure of being replaced by bigger names is a concern. You know, honestly, you never know what's happening in those rooms, but decisions are being made. And over a period of time, I think the way I approach it is- I kind of surrender to the fact that if it's mine, it's going to work out, and if it's not, it's just not going to," she said. The Mirzapur actress admitted that she has faced setbacks in the past. "There have been times when I have been close to getting a project, but it's not worked out for whatever reason. Now, you know you can't function if you are bitter about these experiences. You have to constantly move on from that and just try to make another thing happen or work out," she added. Reflecting on how her understanding of the industry has evolved, she said, "When I first started acting, I innocently believed that good acting is enough. But today, perception-building is such a huge part of showbiz. I mean, a lot of people only sort of work on that perception and not substance, but I think it's important to do both. I'm working to be here for the long run and not just be a trend." She also highlighted the importance of visibility and scale and shared, "It's important that the legacy I leave is through the characters I play and the work I do. But I still feel like... it would be really nice to be part of projects that are mounted in a bigger way, just to sort of give that scope as a performer to also reach a wider audience. Which is why I think that the balance of doing work is very important. At the end of it, what do we want? We just want our work to be seen by as many people." In Chhal Kapat The Deception, Shriya plays a fierce cop. As part of her prep for the role, she interacted with several real-life police officers in Uttar Pradesh, including ADG Padmaja Chauhan. She also learned about 1090, a women's redressal helpline run by the state police. Directed by Ajay Bhuyan, the series features an ensemble cast including Kamya Ahlawat, Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, and Anuj Sachdeva. It is produced by Juggernaut Production and premiered on June 6 on ZEE5. Shriya is the daughter of veteran actors Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar.
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘The industry began to see me exclusively as a series actor; I have therefore consciously decided to do more films,' says Shriya Pilgaonkar
In an intriguing arc of roles, Shriya Pilgaonkar seems to be completing what one might call the Holy Trinity of Bombay cinema's noble professions. After embodying a relentless journalist in The Broken News and stepping into the courtroom as a sharp-witted lawyer in Guilty Minds, she now dons the khaki uniform in the newly released web series Chhal Kapat, portraying a police officer with grit and grace. Only the role of a doctor remains, waiting in the wings to complete a symbolic quartet of service and storytelling. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Pilgaonkar, alongside the show's producer Samar Khan, dives into the layered world of Chhal Kapat. They speak of navigating the creative fatigue that haunts the ever-expanding OTT landscape, the subtle art of sidestepping typecasting, and of course, touch upon the swirling speculations around the much-anticipated Mirzapur film. (Edited excerpts for brevity and clarity) Q: It's often said that morally upright characters are the toughest to portray. They risk coming off as flat or too predictable. You've played an honest lawyer, a principled journalist, and now, an upright cop. How do you keep the inner tension alive in these roles? Where do you find the spark? Shriya: That's actually where Chhal Kapat gets its name. Because deception runs deep, and nothing is quite what it seems. Yes, my character is a cop and yes, she's doing her duty. But beneath that surface, she's carrying her own demons. There's a lot going on in her personal life, and we've kept much of that hidden, on purpose. She's mysterious, and you get only glimpses of her inner world. Even with morally righteous characters, like in Guilty Minds, for instance, the tension came from the fact that my character was so driven by her principles that it put her at odds with her own family. Is that still 'right'? That's not for me to answer, it's for the audience to decide. That's what excites me about playing someone like Devika. She may always seem morally correct, but the question is: who decides what's moral? What's right? The show never answers that for you, it lets you question it throughout. Also, after doing intense back-to-back roles, the lawyer, the journalist, I deliberately chose something different with Taaza Khabar, where I played a sex worker. She had this punk energy, this entirely different vibe. It helped me shift gears. And now, in my next project, I'm doing all the wrong things. I'm very happy to say I'm venturing into the dark side, for all the fans out there! Samar: Exactly. That's why we titled the show Chhal Kapat. What's right or wrong, who gets to decide that? It's all about perception. And that grey area is where the drama truly begins. Q: One thing I'm particularly excited to see in Chhal Kapat is how it navigates the portrayal of women in uniform. A space where representation has often been downplayed. We've seen in shows like Dahaad how just the image of a woman in a position of authority unsettles people. Can we expect Chal Kapat to explore these social discomforts? Shriya: Yes, you'll see that in a few scenes. It's done quite subtly, but you will notice how Devika is often taken for granted. We were discussing earlier something insightful: the uniform itself brings authority, and authority is often only associated with masculinity, with men. That's societal conditioning, right? Because of this, women sometimes feel the need to occupy more space and be a little sterner just to be taken seriously. So yes, there is a character in Chal Kapat who crosses the line and tries to undermine her. But the interesting part is that Devika is not someone who loses her cool. She isn't portrayed as a super-aggressive cop. Instead, she asserts herself with gentleness. In a way, that's our way of showing that aggression isn't the only way to get the job done. Samar: Exactly. When women enter positions of power, some men do feel uncomfortable, and we've tried to address that in the show. But not in an overt or confrontational way. We've also shown that there are men who are supportive and okay with it. What's particularly interesting is that Devika initially assumes the man isn't comfortable with her authority. That defensiveness is natural. But then the man clarifies, 'Listen, I'm okay with it. I'm not talking to you as a man to a woman, I'm talking to you as an officer.' So we've tried to maintain that balance, without slipping into male-bashing where every man is portrayed as offended by a woman in power. That's simply not true, and it's important to represent that nuance: some men are genuinely supportive and accepting. The story needed that balance. Also Read | Shriya Pilgaonkar feels some actors are great at marketing themselves even if aren't hugely talented: 'Audience will remember you for roles, not reels' Shared post on Time Q: For you Shriya — and many others — OTT has truly been a blessing. But do you also feel we've reached a point of saturation in the kind of content being made? We're seeing shows get cancelled, writers not being fairly compensated, actors getting typecast, and platforms shying away from anything out-of-the-box. What's your take on where we stand with streaming today? Shriya: I think the industry is going through its own churning and evolution, as it always does. When OTT platforms first emerged, I was part of that era. Say, around the time Sacred Games and Mirzapur had just been released. Then we saw a huge surge in creativity, people were taking risks and telling diverse stories. Suddenly, those chances stopped. Then they started again. For a while, only certain actors were getting cast, then the opportunities broadened, and then narrowed once more. So, I see it as a cycle. Ultimately, I feel we should let creators make the choices they want to make, and let the outcomes reflect naturally over time. Speaking personally, I'm taking a leap of faith by making choices I hadn't considered before. I've also stepped back from some kinds of work because I want to focus more on films. There was a moment when I felt a shift in how people perceived me — having done more series, I started getting introduced as 'a very good series actor.' I don't really understand these labels; an actor is an actor. But I was missing the film format because it presents you differently. So now I've consciously chosen that path. I'm also working on a couple of independent films, something I've always wanted to support. There are such incredible storytellers and writers out there, and I want to tap into that talent. They're looking for actors to support their vision, and we're looking for exciting stories and collaborators who have faith in us. Because, as I was saying earlier, the nature of show business is such that the industry is very comfortable keeping you where you are. You have to claw your way out of those notions. Q: You worked on Anubhav Sinha's Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, but it hasn't been released yet. Is there any update on when we can expect to see it? And more broadly, when do we get to see you back on the big screen? Shriya: You'll have to ask Mr. Anubhav Sinha about that, because we actually shot the film around four to five years ago. It had an incredible cast, Pankaj Tripathi, Divya Dutta, Manoj Pahwa, Pawan Malhotra, Saurabh Shukla, Prateik Babbar, Dilip Prabhavalkar, and myself. It was a huge ensemble, and honestly, it was wonderful when we shot it. But kismat hoti hai, you never know what happens. It was kind of like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, a satire. But why it didn't release, I really don't know. That's what I mean when I say every project has its own destiny. Over the past 7–8 years, there have been two or three films I was supposed to do that, for various reasons, didn't work out. But eventually, I've come to realize that when you're working on something, when a story has emotional resonance, the medium doesn't matter. What matters is the connection. And now, I'm consciously seeking out work, even developing projects for myself, work that I know I would like to do in the future, even if it takes time. Because this is the right time to step out of your comfort zone. For creators and actors alike. Q: There's been talk of a Mirzapur film. Can we expect your character to return in that universe? Shriya: Well, you've heard it's connected to Season 1, right? So, I think you can definitely expect something.
News18
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Chhal Kapat X Review: Fans Praise Shriya Pilgaonkar Performance As Cop
Last Updated: Ajay Bhuyan directed Chhal Kapat, which has been produced by Juggernaut Productions. The hindi thriller series Chhal Kapat – The Deception featuring Shriya Pilgaonkar released this weekend. Ajay Bhuyan directed Chhal Kapat, which has been produced by Juggernaut Productions. Apart from Shriya, the show also stars Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu and Anuj Sachdeva. While viewers are appreciating Shriya's role as a cop, many are not quite happy with the plot of this crime thriller. Reviewing the series, a social media user wrote, 'Shriya Pilgaonkar redefines the role of a female cop in Chhal Kapat – The Deception, embracing strength with grace. As IPS officer Devika Rathore, she challenges societal biases, proving that authority doesn't require aggression." Shriya Pilgaonkar redefines the role of a female cop in Chhal Kapat – The Deception, embracing strength with grace. As IPS officer Devika Rathore, she challenges societal biases, proving that authority doesn't require aggression. Streaming now on ZEE5. #ShriyaPilgaonkar … — Hitflik (@HitFlik_) June 6, 2025 So, you can watch #ChhalKapat on @ZEE5Global right now…and god, it is underwhelmingShriya Pilgaonkar fails to impress. And like most shows now, the writing is half baked at best. The overall execution by the makers are poor, below average attempt overall. You can skip it — BINGED (@Binged_) June 6, 2025 'Chhal Kapat-The Decpetion" Review: Predictable narrative without any thrills #ChhalKapat #ShriyaPilgaonkar #ZEE5 — Snooper-Scope (@Snooper_Scope) June 6, 2025 There were other people who had issues with the plot of the series. An individual stated, 'Predictable narrative without any thrills." Another user commented, 'So, you can watch #ChhalKapat on @ZEE5Global right now…and god, it is underwhelming Shriya Pilgaonkar fails to impress. And like most shows now, the writing is half baked at best. The overall execution by the makers are poor, below average attempt overall. You can skip it." This series is set against the backdrop of an intimate wedding in Burhanpur. Everything appears good until one of the bride's best friends is discovered dead. The joyous party rapidly transforms into an intense mystery. Secrets, rage and betrayal among friends emerge as the story progresses. Inspector Devika, a smart and brave police officer, played by Shriya Pilgaonkar, aims to investigate the case. Devika leads the inquiry to determine what truly transpired. As the truth is revealed, friendships are strained, and it becomes difficult to discern who to trust. Speaking about her character, Shriya told Hindustan Times, 'She doesn't have to be super aggressive while interrogating someone. She is ok to be gentle. But she will be tough, too. I like that there is no aggression for the sake of it. But yes, women in spaces where men have historically taken up more space tend to hold on to that and stay in power much more." This is the first time Shriya is playing a cop on screen. First Published:
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First Post
06-06-2025
- 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.
