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Exclusive | Mithila Palkar and Prajakta Koli On Navigating the Industry Together: ‘We’re Often Pitted Against Each Other’
The viral sensations and longtime friends talk about how they handle competition.
It has been a decade since Mithila Palkar and Prajakta Koli first entered the entertainment industry. Both have charted unconventional journeys, starting out as familiar faces on the internet, and then, on the big screen. As they continue to contend with the ups and downs of working in the entertainment industry, they have found, in each other, a constant source of support and companionship.
“I think it helped that we met at a very vulnerable time in our careers, in an industry that was so unknown to the both of us,” shares Palkar. The two first met in their early twenties on a photo-shoot titled ‘Viral Queens’ (a title that now makes the two laugh out loud), after which they developed an instant closeness. It is that friendship, they say, which has buoyed them through an ever-evolving, increasingly volatile industry.
“We had to hold on to each other as we explored, we would falter, but we were there for each other,” says Palkar. “Sometimes, it’s just [about] knowing that you have someone in your corner, without hang-ups, with no judgement,” adds Koli. The two have never shied away from difficult conversations, whether it’s about work, pay, or miscommunication.
“There has never been a time where I feel like I can’t discuss something with her, or I don’t know how she’s going to react,” says Koli. Having had very similar, almost overlapping career trajectories, the two are often seen as competitors, rather than companions.
“You never know what you hear about each other, professionally, especially,” says Palkar, candidly. “Because we’re so similar, we’re often pitted against each other, and I never want that to come in the way, ever. So, we discuss everything, numbers, auditions… we aren’t shy about it,” she shares.
“There are multiple projects which we both auditioned for, some [roles] she ended up getting, some [roles] I ended up getting,” reveals Koli. “We’re happy no matter who gets the role, we’re cheerleaders for each other,” adds Palkar, to which Koli responds, with a laugh: “I know, it sounds so media trained.”
Yet, it is clear that the two continue to lean on each other, despite the supposed competition. “There is nothing that I can’t talk to her about,” says Koli with a smile.
Watch the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter India’s YouTube channel at 8pm tonight.