Shreya Dhanwanthary BREAKS SILENCE On Bollywood’s Dark Side, Dating Struggles & Being An Outsider

Take a pause with Varun Duggirala

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with the ever-insightful and candid Shreya Dhanwanthary known for Scam 1992, The Family Man, Mumbai Diaries and Loop Lapeta. She shared harsh realities of the entertainment industry, her frustrations with nepostism, the struggles of staying relevant and the constant battle of waiting for the right opportunities. We dive deep into the complicated ways our lives—work, personal relationships, and friendships—interconnect. Shreya opens up about her experiences of feeling stuck, the relentless pressure of time, and the emotional cost of living in a demanding city like Bombay. Shreya shared the importance of friendships, the evolving views on gender roles, and the contrast between dreams and reality. This is an honest and personal conversation about not giving up, self-doubt, and the fight to stay true to yourself. Tune in for an honest and enriching discussion that promises both insight and inspiration.

00:00 Introduction

03:53 Is the industry really about talent?

08:01 The ugly truth behind Bollywood success

12:32 Nepotism: The debate no one wins

20:28 Parents vs. Self-Made Dreams

28:19 The failures that almost broke me

39:46 Why great content is disappearing?

43:31 My biggest fear in life right now

45:51 The fight for meaningful roles

52:36 Relationships are changing—why?

55:22 Why men are lost in today’s world!

01:04:01 How parenting shapes your future?

01:11:48 The harsh gender divide in cinema

01:17:13 What the future of content really looks like

01:22:39 Conclusion