Heartbroken after Guilty Minds’ second season was cancelled, Shriya Pilgaonkar plans to turn producer to generate work in the volatile market
Shriya Pilgaonkar. Pics/Instagram
When we spoke to Shriya Pilgaonkar in 2024, she was brimming with excitement at the prospect of Guilty Minds’ second season. A year on, Prime Video has pulled the plug on the acclaimed courtroom drama that saw her as lawyer Kashaf Quaze. Naturally heartbroken, the actor says the episode has taught her that quality storytelling needs better marketing to reach a wider audience.
“I was heartbroken when I found out. Sometimes, I believe it’s not just a creative call, but a business decision. It’s overwhelming because so many people who watched it [believed] that because they loved the show, others must have watched it too. But I went for a talk show recently to a college, and none of the kids had watched it. It means the show did not reach them at the right time, or sometimes, things are not promoted enough. There are some shows that are hugely promoted, and other times, good shows are not promoted as much,” she rues.
Guilty Minds, a courtroom drama starring Shriya Pilgaonkar and Varun Mitra, was widely praised on release
Today, the industry is grappling with a recession of sorts, where projects are being cancelled even days before going on floors. It has left Pilgaonkar with a crucial lesson — now, she wants to make things happen. Perhaps take a leap into production? “I would like to do production, but I’ll talk about it after I’ve done it. I’m hoping to crack a romantic story in a few months. I’m feeling brave and I want to show up for myself,” says the actor, who is currently seen in Zee5’s Chhal Kapat. She adds, “I’m interested in collaborating with independent writers and directors. Actors like me may be appreciated for our skills, but quality work often does not [come our way].”
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