Ekulti Ek: Sachin Pilgaonkar Shares Story Behind Shriya's Debut

Filmmaker Sachin Pilgaonkar has shared the story behind his daughter Shriya Pilgaonkar's film debut, speaking on the quiz show 'Kon Honar Crorepati'. Madhuri Dixit hosted the episode, where Sachin appeared as a guest and talked about the moment he decided to cast his daughter in a film.

According to Sachin, the decision followed a short theatre performance in which Shriya had acted in a ten-minute play. Her parents, Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, had come to watch her perform. Sachin said that her first scene made him believe she could handle a serious acting role.

He recounted that, on their way home after the show, he told Shriya he wanted to make a film and hoped she would be part of it. He said this idea had come only because of her performance and not from any earlier plan.

Shriya did not respond with an immediate yes. She asked her father to send her the script so she could read it and give her opinion. Sachin admitted that the request took him by surprise, though he respected her approach. After reading the script, she accepted the role.

Her debut film received several awards, which Sachin said marked the beginning of her career. He added that Shriya went on to create her own space in the industry, establishing an identity separate from her family's legacy.

The film he was describing is 'Ekulti Ek', a 2013 Marathi drama that Sachin wrote, directed, and produced. The narrative centres on Arun Deshpande, a celebrated playback singer who separated from his wife Nandini and daughter Swara eighteen years earlier so he could prioritise his music. Years later, Swara arrives in Mumbai hoping to know her father and find her place in his life. With the support of Mehta uncle, Arun's secretary, she stays at his home. The movie depicts the emotional journey of a father and daughter, their disagreements, and the slow process of rebuilding a broken family.