Reaction to my performance in FAN overwhelming: Shriya

Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar is overwhelmed that the audience has stood up and took notice of her acting in FAN, which features Shah Rukh Khan in double role.

Daughter of talented actors Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, Shriya plays the role of Shah Rukh’s love interest in the film.

“The reaction is overwhelming. Honestly, I did not want to have any expectation because it was a small role and we had two Shah Rukhs in the film but I am so happy that everyone took notice and has acknowledged my performance,” said Shriya.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma, FAN features Shah Rukh as an obsessive fan Gaurav and the object of his obsession, superstar Aryan Khanna.

Shriya was auditioning for other projects for Yash Raj Films, and not specifically for FAN when she got a call that she has been selected for the part, for which nearly 750 girls had auditioned.

“When I got to know I will be starring opposite Shah Rukh, I was speechless. One part of me wanted to scream ‘yes yes yes!’ and the other part knew it was a big decision and wanted to understand it,” Shriya said.

“Maneesh was very honest about the part. He told me it is not a typical debut, it is a small role. But I knew whatever screen time I had, I needed to make the most of it,” she added.

For FAN, Shriya was paired for the first time opposite a big star but she was not nervous as five years ago, the actor had a chance to meet with Shah Rukh while working on a short film and the ice was broken. Having worked with the 50-year-old actor now, Shriya bonded with Shah Rukh over books, long conversations and got to know the real person behind the superstar.