What Does Shriya Pilgaonkar Say About Playing a Cult Leader with Frida Kahlo Vibes in ‘Mandala Murders’?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shriya Pilgaonkar embraces a unique character as a cult leader.
- The series blends mystery with psychological thriller elements.
- ‘Mandala Murders’ explores deep themes of faith and sacrifice.
- Shriya's journey reflects her growth as an actress.
- The show promises an engaging experience for thriller enthusiasts.
Mumbai, Aug 2 (NationPress) Shriya Pilgaonkar recently shared her experience of portraying Rukmini, the 1950s founder of a cult in Mandala Murders. She described the experience as a short yet incredibly rewarding and enjoyable journey as an actress.
In an Instagram update, Shriya posted a series of videos and images from the set, showcasing her character look test. In one video, she is seen fully in character, stating: “Love the look and clearly Mahamani is a maximalist. She wakes up like this.”
One of the images features the actress holding a script marked with “YRF”, alongside a text that reads: “Reuniting with YRF after my debut film Fan was special.”
She captioned her post: “Never thought I'd be playing a cult leader giving Goddess +Frida Kahlo vibes who wants to chop off thumbs. But here we are. I love my job.”
Shriya also expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying: “A few BTS glimpses from a journey that was brief but deeply fulfilling and so fun as an actor. Exciting, beautiful, and close to my heart. Congrats to the team and thanks to @gopiputhran @shanoosharmarahihai @manan.rawat and Adi sir for trusting me to unleash this wildness. And thank YOU for all the love and kind words.”
Mandala Murders is a gripping crime thriller web series co-created and directed by Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat. Based on the novel The Butcher of Benaraz, the series is set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, Uttar Pradesh, weaving together mystery, supernatural horror, and psychological elements.
The plot centers around detectives Rea Thomas and Vikram Singh as they delve into ritualistic murders connected to a hidden cult known as the Aayastis and a legendary figure called Yast.
The cast includes Vaani Kapoor, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, Raghubir Yadav, and Shriya Pilgaonkar, spanning eight episodes that explore themes of faith versus science and love versus sacrifice, merging modern police procedures with occult traditions.
Shriya's debut film “Fan”, released in 2016, was an action thriller directed by Maneesh Sharma, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in dual roles as a film star and his obsessed fan. Gaurav, the fan, turns vengeful after being punished by his idol.