Namaste! Social Nation is back with a fresh and exciting video podcast series—The Social Nation Show! Streaming now on Spotify and YouTube, it’s produced by the best in the business, Pod.One. The Social Nation Show brings real stories behind the top content creators of India. After 14 epic & insightful episodes, we’re back with another episode featuring the child artist, seasoned actress, content creator, and more, Shreya Gupto!
Episode 15
In our last edition, we delved into the inspiring personal & professional journey of ‘yap queen’ Kareema Barry. Now, get ready for a new chapter as we hit the spotlight on the multitalented actress & content creator, Shreya Gupto! Shreya is a seasoned actress with a rich career across film industries & streaming platforms. We’ll explore her journey from child artist in Tamil cinema to her recent success in Netflix’s Scoop.
Also Read: Bhuvan Bam Returns With Taaza Khabar Season 2: A Look At His Success
Start Of Shreya Gupto’s Journey
Shreya Gupto began her journey in Kolkata but soon found herself drawn to the Tamil film industry, an unexpected path that led her to success. She shared that moving to Chennai was a significant turning point as she lived there due to her maternal family. She completed her education in Chennai and later pursued her post-graduation at Christ University in Bangalore. Immersing herself in the South Indian culture, Shreya grew familiar with various South Indian languages & films, including Tamil & Malayalam.
Introduction To Acting & Her Big Break In Tamil Industry
Shreya shared a heartfelt story about her mother, a single parent who juggled various jobs to provide for her. Her mother’s love for acting eventually found its way to Shreya, inspiring her to follow the same path. Despite the challenges, Shreya’s mom made several attempts to break into the film industry, even visiting places like AVM Studios in Chennai & securing small roles. Motivated by her mother’s resilience, Shreya knew she wanted to act from a young age.
Her big break came with the film Vaaranam Aayiram, where she played a character named herself ‘Shreya.’ The film was a hit, and her role is still fondly remembered, marking the start of her successful acting journey.
Moreover, reflecting on her early days as a child actor in Tamil cinema, Shreya noted, “I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey.” Over time, Shreya transitioned from the Tamil film industry to broader platforms, including YouTube sketches with FilterCopy, where her popularity skyrocketed.
Transition To Mumbai & Bollywood Dreams
Shreya moved to Mumbai 7 years ago, initially giving her a one-month deadline to try her luck in the city of dreams! However, her Bollywood journey wasn’t just about fame & glamour, it was a leap into a world of new challenges & endless opportunities. Moving from the Tamil industry to Bollywood opened the doors to auditions, a process quite different from how roles were typically cast back in Chennai. “It was a whole new ballgame for me,” she said.
Shreya also talked about how social media played a vital role in her career growth. “Before the pandemic, I would be out there, attending auditions, standing in those long queues at places like Aram Nagar in Mumbai, just hoping for a chance to showcase my talent. However, social media shifted that for me.”
Memorable YouTube Sketches, Working With FilterCopy & Beyond
Shreya fondly remembered her time with Filtercopy & how she landed her first YouTube sketch featuring the heartthrob of YouTube, Ayush Mehra. She expressed, “One of my most beloved sketches was the “Arranged Marriage” video, which really struck a chord with so many people. I remember chasing the FilterCopy team for auditions, and I was over the moon when I finally got the chance to work with them.
Out of the 250 sketches I’ve been a part of, my absolute favorite has to be “Pati Patni Aur Woh” with Nikhil Vijay, famously known as Jhantoo (Hostel Daze). We had complete creative freedom, and it made the experience even more memorable.”
Shreya’s rise to fame continues as she moves towards bigger projects like Scoop, a drama series on Netflix. Her experience in the entertainment industry, from the South to Bollywood, and her digital success through YouTube, showcases her versatility and determination to continue growing.
Challenges Faced During Lockdown Shoots
Giving a versatile performance in the Scoop on Netflix, she shared some of the BTS and expressed how difficult it was to shoot during the pandemic. “During the lockdown, we shot the film, and we encountered several difficulties while shooting. One of the highlights (or “peaks”) was that it was my first time playing a bisexual character. The LGBT community appreciated this portrayal. However, the challenges arose during the lockdown with only four people on set, and we had to manage everything ourselves,” Shreya said.
“Another peak was the story written by Shri Jonny. There was also a significant point about adopting elderly people, which is still not legal in India. I hope this becomes legal soon,” she added.
Secret Sauce Of Different Content Formats
Shreya gave an accurate brief about how different content format works. She said, “I’ve explored various content formats, from sketches to web series and movies. Preparing & shooting each one is vastly different. In content creation, you’re often writing, editing, and shooting by yourself. People might say it’s just 15 seconds, but a lot of effort goes into it. Once I dived in, I gained immense respect for those who consistently work hard, especially those who are managing all aspects themselves.“
“On the contrary, Acting is not an easy task. There’s no simple platform to showcase your talent; you often need to become a content creator yourself to show your skills. Auditioning for acting roles is a time-consuming process, whereas content creation allows more direct control over your work.”
Tips To Choose Brand Promotions ft. Shreya Gupto
As a creator, when it comes to brand promotion, safeguarding yourself from deceiving product marketing is essential. “I feel a sense of responsibility with my audience, and I wouldn’t promote something that goes against my values. For instance, I wouldn’t promote a gutka (tobacco) brand or fairness creams. I come from Chennai and I love dark skin, so promoting something that contradicts my beliefs wouldn’t feel right,” said Shreya.
What Does Her Tattoo ‘1601’ Signify?
We came across her tattoo and found it unique featuring the number ‘1601’ and asked her what it meant. “The tattoo “1601” is special to me because it represents a lifelong dream of owning my own house. Since childhood, I hadn’t experienced having my own home. I finally found a place within my budget in Mumbai, and it holds immense value for me,” she expressed her heartfelt feelings.
Where Can You Watch The Social Nation Show?
The Social Nation Show will be available on all leading audio and video platforms on Social Nation’s official channels. The video podcasts will be distributed on Social Nation’s Spotify and YouTube handles, whereas the audio podcasts will also be available on Apple Podcast, JioSaavn, Amazon Music, and Gaana platforms. Catch the best moments of each episode on our Instagram and YouTube Shorts too!
