Tejal Sinha
Fresh off the success of her latest project Mandala Murders, actor Shriya Pilgaonkar is winning praise for her bold transformation into Rukmini — a character she describes as both mystical and menacing. In a candid conversation with The Pioneer, Shriya opened up about stepping into one of the darkest yet most layered roles of her career, the creative choices that shaped her performance, and the thrill of breaking away from the morally upright characters audiences have often seen her play.
Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar is enjoying an overwhelming response to her latest project, Mandala Murders. Speaking to India TV Reporter Ashutosh, she shared her excitement and creative process behind playing one of her most unique characters to date.
“When I saw the look that Gopi had in mind for Rukmini, I knew instantly that I wanted to do this,” Shriya recalls. “It was completely different from what I had done before. As an audience, I love casting that is not predictable, and whenever unpredictable casting is done, it’s always appreciated.”
The Mandala Murders world fascinated her immediately. “It’s the darkest character I have perhaps played, but there are also layers to her,” she says. “Instinctively, I knew I wanted to do it, even though it was a guest appearance. I’m not an actor insecure about screen time — for me, it’s about how special or deep the character is. Sometimes you can do that in three hours, sometimes in many more. I took it as a challenge. My aim was for Rukmini’s opening scene to be so enchanting and powerful that even though she disappears in the middle episodes and returns in the seventh, her presence is felt throughout.”
Rukmini, Shriya explains, is not one-dimensional. “In my mind, I did not play her as an evil character because you cannot judge the characters you play. The core motivation for Rukmini is actually devotion and love for Dushyant. Her actions stem from deep emotions and a belief that she is working for a good cause. It’s not about playing black or white, but tapping into her love — and sometimes love makes us do crazy things.”
Director Gopi’s brief further shaped her portrayal. “He told me he wouldn’t define her as evil but as a ‘vishkanya’ — she has beauty and grace, but she can also enchant and manipulate in a very beautiful way. That’s what drew me to her — you like her, you’re intrigued by her, but you don’t agree with her actions.”
One moment from the series that has already become iconic is Rukmini’s raw, powerful scream. “There was a certain animalistic tendency I had to embody,” Shriya shares. “I had to let go of control and let the character take over. The key was to be in Rukmini’s emotional space — her journey is rooted in love, betrayal, and deep feelings. Even in the extremes, I had to avoid going over the top and make it believable.”
Styling and look played a significant role in shaping Rukmini’s aura. “Half my job was done because of the incredible styling, makeup, and look design,” she admits. “The roses in her hair, the jewellery — they changed the way I walked, the way I carried myself. The character is very spiritual, and the look enhanced that aura. As actors, there’s nothing more exciting than shape-shifting. I’ve always wanted to be seen as someone who can embody any look and any person. You can’t just rely on the look, but you can use it to enhance your performance — and here, the look played a huge role. I’ve passed on all the compliments about it to the team behind the scenes.”
For Shriya, playing Rukmini was also a chance to break away from the morally righteous roles she has often portrayed. “It was fun to tap into a certain dark energy but also give her that magnetic, enchanting quality. The fantastical, mystical world of Mandala Murders made it even more exciting. At the start of this year, my goal was to focus on projects and characters that reimagine me as an actor. I’m glad Gopi thought of me for something so different.”
When it comes to choosing roles, Shriya is clear about her priorities. “I’ve grown up seeing how important it is to focus on your craft, work hard, and not just rely on luck or opportunity. My focus has always been on showing my versatility and honing my skills. But I’ve realised it’s also important to balance substantial work with projects that position you well. That empowers you to make even more interesting choices. At the end of the day, your work speaks louder than anything else. Quality will always matter more than perception.”
Before signing off, Shriya shared her thoughts on one unexpected outcome of her work. “In a lot of my projects, certain scenes have become memes, and I take it as a huge compliment. It means the audience is connecting to it, and I always enjoy that.”
