Shriya Pilgaonkar believes recognition on streaming platforms does not automatically translate into conventional stardom. The Mirzapur actor says today’s definition of a star has changed, but visibility and acting ability alone may not be enough to build a larger commercial profile. According to her, actors also need opportunities, positioning and casting decisions that allow them to take bigger risks.
Shriya Pilgaonkar has built a strong body of work across films, television and streaming projects, with her role in Mirzapur bringing her wider recognition.
But the actor believes the relationship between OTT popularity and stardom is more complicated than simply becoming familiar to a large audience.
In a recent conversation reported by mid-day, Shriya discussed how the meaning of stardom has evolved and why she believes the entertainment industry needs to take more chances when casting actors.
Shriya Pilgaonkar Says Stardom Has Changed
According to Shriya, the traditional definition of stardom has shifted considerably.
She pointed out that film stars were once viewed as distant and aspirational figures because audiences had limited access to them. Social media and streaming platforms have changed that relationship.
“Today [it’s more about] relatability,” she said while discussing how audiences connect with performers.
Actors can now communicate directly with viewers through social media, interviews and digital platforms. Streaming has also made performers from different industries and regions accessible to audiences who may previously never have encountered their work.
For Shriya, that has broadened the meaning of who can be considered a star.
Why OTT Recognition Does Not Automatically Become Stardom
Despite the reach of streaming platforms, Shriya believes there is still a distinction between becoming a recognisable OTT performer and developing the kind of commercial stardom traditionally associated with cinema.
Her argument is that acting ability by itself does not necessarily create a star.
“In our industry, casting based on merit does not happen often,” she said, adding that the industry needs more people willing to take risks with casting.
Shriya believes actors may need the right combination of projects, positioning and industry support to move into a different phase of their careers.
She also suggested that some performers can deliberately work towards stardom, while others may build it organically through the relationship they establish with audiences.
Shriya Calls for More Risk-Taking in Casting
For Pilgaonkar, casting decisions can have a significant influence on an actor’s trajectory.
She argued that filmmakers and producers need to show greater willingness to cast performers outside the categories in which audiences and the industry have previously seen them.
This can be particularly important for actors who have built their reputations on television or OTT platforms and are looking to move into theatrical cinema.
A performer may have demonstrated their acting ability repeatedly, but a major role in a commercially positioned film can expose them to a substantially larger audience.
The Importance of Positioning and Commercial Success
Shriya also spoke about the role that positioning and the scale of a project can play in determining the kind of work offered to an actor.
She believes commercial success can influence how an actor is perceived within the industry and potentially create opportunities to occupy more prominent roles in theatrical films.
“Positioning and mounting play a huge role in the quality of work that comes to an actor,” she said.
For actors transitioning between OTT and cinema, this can create a difficult cycle: they need larger opportunities to change perceptions, while casting decisions are often influenced by the perception created by their previous work.
Breaking Out of Industry Labels
Shriya also criticised what she sees as a tendency to keep artists within the categories in which they initially become known.
She pointed to several examples, including influencers attempting to become actors, television performers seeking film roles and OTT actors trying to establish themselves in mainstream cinema.
According to her, the industry does not always immediately accept performers who attempt to move beyond their established space.
She believes a major breakout moment is often required before perceptions begin to change.
That process can make career transitions particularly challenging for performers who want to expand their range.
Audiences Have Their Own Definition of a Star
Despite the industry’s focus on commercial success and positioning, Shriya believes audiences have increasingly flexible ideas about who qualifies as a star.
She cited actors such as Pankaj Tripathi and Jaideep Ahlawat as examples of performers who are widely recognised as stars despite having built their careers differently from traditional mainstream film heroes.
Her point is that audiences can develop a strong relationship with performers through their work, regardless of whether they fit the conventional definition of a Bollywood star.
Streaming has accelerated that shift by allowing audiences to spend more time with actors across multiple projects.
What’s Next for Shriya Pilgaonkar?
Shriya continues to expand her work across different formats.
The actor has completed filming for Baara Number, a found-footage horror project made by Vir Das.
The upcoming project gives her another opportunity to explore a different genre while continuing the career trajectory she has built across television, cinema and streaming.
