Shriya Pilgaonkar honors grandfather Ajoba on his 88th birthday
Synopsis
Shriya Pilgaonkar's birthday note for her 88-year-old grandfather — a man who has visited over 102 countries and still looks at life with wonder — is less a celebrity post and more a meditation on curiosity, ageing, and what it means to stay young at heart.
Key Takeaways
Shriya Pilgaonkar shared a tribute for her grandfather's 88th birthday on 15 June .
Her Ajoba has visited more than 102 countries and was the first in the family to travel abroad .
Shriya described his defining quality as a childlike curiosity that has only grown with age .
She credited him with the life lesson that staying young is about curiosity, not age .
Shriya made her acting debut with Marathi film Ekulti Ek in 2013 and is known for web series including Mirzapur and Guilty Minds .
Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar marked her grandfather's 88th birthday with a deeply personal tribute on 15 June, sharing a series of photographs alongside an emotional note that celebrated his lifelong curiosity, love for travel, and the enduring bond the two share.
The Tribute in Her Own Words
Shriya, known for her candid expressions of affection on social media, opened her note by acknowledging just how central her Ajoba — the Marathi word for grandfather — is to her life. 'Those who know me know how close I am to him and the impact he has had on my life,' she wrote.
She went on to paint a vivid portrait of the man: the first in the family to travel abroad, a globe-trotter who has visited more than 102 countries, and someone with, in her words, 'an elephant's memory' who turns strangers into friends wherever he goes. Yet she was quick to note that none of those achievements define him.
The Lesson That Stayed With Her
'When I think of my Ajoba, I think of his childlike curiosity. A curiosity that hasn't faded with age. If anything, it's grown,' Shriya wrote. She reflected on how he has lived through decades of change, witnessed history unfold, and collected stories from every corner of the world — and still approaches life with wonder.
The actress distilled the lesson she draws from him into a single line: 'Staying young has very little to do with age. It's about staying curious. Keeping your heart open. And never losing the desire to wander and wonder.'
She closed her tribute with a wish for many more years of healthy travel, writing, 'What a gift it is to see the world through your eyes.'
Shriya Pilgaonkar: Career at a Glance
Shriya Pilgaonkar began her acting career with the Marathi film Ekulti Ek in 2013, before transitioning to Hindi cinema with Fan. She has since built a strong presence in the streaming space, with acclaimed roles in Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar.
The tribute underscores a side of the actress that her audience finds equally compelling — her warmth and rootedness, even as her professional profile continues to grow.
Point of View
But Shriya Pilgaonkar's tribute stands out for what it chooses to celebrate: not wealth or status, but curiosity and wonder in a man who has seen 102 countries and still wants to see more. In an era where public figures curate aspirational lifestyles, there is something quietly countercultural about an actress crediting her grandfather — not a director, co-star, or brand — as her most formative influence. It is also a reminder that the most shareable content is often the most genuine.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shriya Pilgaonkar post a tribute for her grandfather?
Shriya Pilgaonkar shared the tribute to mark her grandfather's 88th birthday on 15 June, celebrating his love for travel, lifelong curiosity, and the life lessons he has imparted to her over the years.
How many countries has Shriya Pilgaonkar's grandfather visited?
According to Shriya's post, her grandfather has visited more than 102 countries and was the first person in their family to travel abroad. She also described him as her favourite travel companion.
What life lesson did Shriya Pilgaonkar say she learned from her grandfather?
Shriya wrote that her grandfather taught her that staying young has very little to do with age — it is about staying curious, keeping an open heart, and never losing the desire to wander and wonder.
What is Shriya Pilgaonkar known for professionally?
Shriya Pilgaonkar made her debut with the 2013 Marathi film Ekulti Ek and later appeared in the Hindi film Fan. She is widely recognised for her roles in web series including Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar.
What does 'Ajoba' mean?
'Ajoba' is the Marathi word for grandfather. Shriya Pilgaonkar, who has Maharashtrian roots, used the term affectionately throughout her birthday tribute to her grandfather.
