She has done her schooling from a Convent School in Mumbai and she graduated from Mithibai College with a cosmopolitan culture. Having done her stage in other languages like English, Hindi and Gujarathi, she has not forgotten her roots with Marathi language. Shreya Bugde is a TV Luminary today, with three of her shows being aired on TV, at present. Besides her role of Manjusha Holkar, she is playing a College Professor in ETV’s ‘Majhe Mann Tujhe Jhale’ and also giving glimpse of her variety in acting, through Zee Marathi’s reality comedy show ‘Fu Bai Fu’, in the company of another talented actor Hemant Dhome.

At the young age of 26, Shreya has gained more than 13 years of experience in acting, as she began her acting career as a child actress on stage. Marathi Movie World spoke to this brilliant actress, who promptly responded to our call, exhibiting the best public relations she maintains, in this competitive field.

Q Going through your work experience in brief, we find that you have done a lot of stage in different languages. When did you actually begin ?
A: Actually, my first performance on stage was at the age of 8, when I took part in a competition, while in school. Later, with the timely encouragement from parents, I started performing in children’s theatre. Then, as a child artiste I became part of the famous Marathi play on child abuse – ‘Vatevarti Kacha Ga’, which performed 275 shows.

Q: What were your other projects on stage?
A: ‘Medha’ and ‘Zoombish’ in English, were directed by Ramu Ramanathan, ‘Jantarmantar’ in Gujarathi, which did 250 shows and then there was ‘Pramay’ also in Gujarathi, in which I performed at NCPA festival last year. ‘Missed Calls’ was a mono act. ‘Rabdi’ the Hindi one act play won 13 best actress awards in inter collegiate competitions. In short, it was a good stage experience for me.

Q: You have also done television in Hindi . Isn’t it ?
A: Not only Hindi; but I have also done Gujarathi television, besides Marathi serials. For the past ten years I have done ‘Karamyudh’(DD national), ‘Thoda Hai, Bas thode ki Zaroorat hai’ and ‘Bairi Piya’ ( for Colors), besides ‘Tuzhyavina’ (Zee Marathi), ‘Lek Ladki Hya Gharchi’ (ETV Marathi), ‘Mandala Don Ghadicha Daav’ (Star Pravah). Presently, I am doing ‘Tu tithe Mee’ (Zee Marathi), ‘Majhe Mann Tujhe Jhale’ ( E TV) and ‘Fu Bai Fu’ reality show on Zee Marathi .

Q: But, your role in ‘Tu tithe Mee’ invited all the attention, in spite of many other popular artistes around. What’s your reaction?
A: Yes, my character of Manjusha Holkar has given me an opportunity to play the same character in two different ways. Though earlier, playing the wife of Dada Holkar under the shadow of Milind Shinde, it was like constantly moving under fear, covering my half face with Saree ; but now, they have given me enough scope to communicate with different characters. Performing in the company of Milind Shinde itself was a big thing. This actor is an institution in himself.

Q: How do you look at the change that has come in the entertainment industry? Do you think that it is the right place for young girls to make their career?
A: Today, there is a good scope for artistes. It does not matter, whether you are talented or not; there is work for all. Some people have always spoken about ‘Casting Couch’ existing in this profession; but, I have not experienced any such thing. May be, I am lucky to find all good hearted people in this field of acting, so far.

Q: Being a talented and good looking actress, don’t you regret that you have not been offered lead roles, so far ?
A: Sometime back, I had this feeling in my mind. And, while working with a senior artiste like Neena Kulkarni, I expressed this to her. What she advised me, was very important. According to her, there was nothing like lead role and character role. How you perform your role with total conviction, is important. “I have not played lead roles so far; but I am still existing in this field, with offers coming in,” she said. Soon, I realised that there were many such artistes, who performed lead roles in serials; but later, we never noticed them on small screen. I am lucky that there are roles coming to me, no matter, they are not lead roles.

Q: You are also part of the TV show ‘Fu Bai Fu’, which offers below the belt comedy. How you landed up there?
A: Yes, sometimes it is ‘below the belt’ comedy. It all depends upon the script. But, an artiste performing in this show, finds a lot of variety. Now, the hosts have even given the liberty to the performing pair to present their own scripts and my co artiste Hemant Dhome works on it. When we began, he was not much aware of my ability. But, when in the second episode we were judged the best performers of the day, he realised my potential and now we are doing well, with perfect understanding.

Q: Besides the ongoing three projects, are there any other projects in pipeline ?
A: Yes, I am going perform in a Marathi drama soon. But, I don’t want to discuss the details now. There is also a film with a different subject; but it will be too early to comment, as the shooting is yet to begin.

Q: How you will be able to manage your schedule, with so many assignments at a time?
A: No, I will not be overworking. It’s all planned. The schedule of ‘Tu Tithe Mee’ is going on well for the past 16 months. For ‘Fu Bai Fu’, I have to give two days a week. So, there is always time for Drama and films.