‘Sikandar’ actor Shreya Gupto on battling nepotism, facing casting couch and working with legends like Suriya, Rajinikanth and Salman Khan – Exclusive |

Shreya Gupto, who was recently seen in Salman Khan starrer ‘Sikandar‘, opened up about her journey from the vibrant sets of Tamil cinema to the bustling world of Bollywood. With her unique perspective as an outsider, she reflects on the challenges of navigating nepotism, the humbling experiences with industry legends, and the resilience it takes to break through. From facing uncomfortable realities on set to witnessing the true humility of stars like Rajinikanth and Salman Khan, Shreya’s journey is as inspiring as it is eye-opening. Excerpts…
Having worked in both Tamil and Hindi industries, how would you compare the work culture, audience expectations, and treatment of actors in these two industries?
Working on large sets has given me a deep appreciation for filmmaking. For instance, while working on ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ with Gautham Vasudev Menon, I observed his unique style, and Suriya had his own approach to working. Each set has its own work culture and methods, which I find truly admirable. Being part of such sets is a fantastic learning experience for me, from observing the production designer to the director and actors. Growing up watching these grand films, it’s exciting to now be part of such setups, even though times have changed and people take longer to go to theatres. I have always been fascinated with cinema, and I would love to be a fly on the wall in a commercial film setup. It’s been a great experience. Working with Rajinikanth sir, I have witnessed the humility and the authenticity that the audience sees on social media. The persona he carries is true to what we see on screen—he’s as humble as everyone assumes him to be. On the other hand, Salman Khan’s generosity, which we know through his Being Human campaigns, was evident when he took kids shopping on set.You’ve built your career without industry backing. How do you view the debate around nepotism in Bollywood and South cinema?
Nepotism exists in every industry. It’s a cliché answer, but true. Outsiders like me, and even actors like Vicky Kaushal, who didn’t have an easy start, give us hope. Shah Rukh Khan himself was an outsider. The hustle is tough, and at times, audition tapes don’t even reach the makers due to politics and lobbying. But isn’t that the case in every field? In South cinema, I was lucky to be part of seven to eight films as a child artist. I didn’t know much at the time but just enjoyed the experience. My mother ensured I finished my education, so I shot most of my films during the summer holidays. When I wanted to be part of Bollywood, Sikandar was the first step, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity..

Many actresses have spoken up about inappropriate experiences in the industry. Have you ever faced or witnessed casting couch incidents? How did you handle them?
I wouldn’t lie—I did face such incidents in Chennai, which made me a bit distant from the industry. That’s one of the reasons I moved to Mumbai. When I encountered such a situation, without any industry backing, my natural reaction was to ignore and leave the situation. I had a renowned director call me for an audition, and I went there with my mother after finishing my post-graduation. He spoke inappropriately and hinted at the casting couch. I responded by saying, “I’ll prepare the scene and come back tomorrow,” but I never went back. It does exist, and I did face it a few years ago. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced anything like that recently, and I’m glad for it.