Shriya Pilgaonkar, known for roles ranging from girl next door to ambitious lawyer, dons a police uniform for the first time in Zee5’s new murder mystery ‘Chhal Kapat’. Playing an officer investigating a small-town murder, Shriya discusses her role and society’s views on female police officers ahead of the show’s release.
In Hindi cinema, women in uniform have often been portrayed with masculine traits—a trend exemplified by the highest-grossing female cop film, ‘Mardaani’ (which means “masculine”). Shriya Pilgaonkar explains this portrayal stems from society’s inherent sexist biases. "People view male and female cops differently due to deep-rooted conditioning," she says, adding that women often adopt a tougher persona as a defence mechanism to assert their space.
However, ‘Chhal Kapat’ takes a different approach. Shriya appreciates that her character, Devika, retains her femininity. "She doesn’t need to be overly aggressive while interrogating—she can be gentle but firm," Shriya explains. "There’s no unnecessary aggression. Yet, in male-dominated spaces, women often hold on to their power with determination, which is reflected in her strength."
Directed by Ajay Bhuyan and produced by Juggernaut Production, ‘Chhal Kapat – The Deception’ is set to premiere on ZEE5 on June 6, 2025. The cast also includes Kamya Ahlawat, Ragini Dwivedi, Tuhina Das, Yahhve Sharma, Pranay Pachauri, Smaran Sahu, and Anuj Sachdeva.
