Shefali Shah has carved a distinct place for herself in Bollywood through her choice of meaningful roles and powerful performances. The actress once spoke candidly about her experiences in the film industry, touching upon the hierarchy on sets, the challenges she faced in her career, and her views on who she considers true stars in Bollywood.A unique journey in BollywoodIn a past interview with the Indian Express, the ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ star reflected on her long journey in the entertainment world. Despite being recognised as one of the finest actresses in the country, she revealed that opportunities were not always forthcoming. “I have been working for 25-30 years, but I have started really working in the last four years. My career has been more about waiting than working,” Shefali shared. She described her path as one filled with more waiting than work, highlighting the struggles many actors face despite their talent and accolades.Experiences on film sets: Respect and hierarchyThe ‘Monsoon Wedding’ actress also opened up about her experiences working with various directors and actors. She praised many directors for treating actors as collaborators rather than mere performers. “I have worked with incredible people who respect the craft,” she said. However, she admitted to having encountered only one actor and one director who were extremely offensive during her career.One of the most talked-about moments in the interview was Shefali’s firm declaration that she will never play Akshay Kumar’s mother again. With a laugh, she said, “I will never ever play mother to Akshay Kumar again.” Who are the real stars?When asked about her opinion on who qualifies as a star in Bollywood, Shefali Shah named a few legendary and contemporary actors. “I think Shah Rukh Khan is a star and he is always going to be a star. So is Mr Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan). So was Dilip Kumar Sahab,” she said, showing her respect for the icons of Indian cinema.Regarding the current generation, she mentioned, “Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt are stars.” However, she was clear about her own position in the industry, stating, “I am not a star and I don’t want to be a star.” Recent workShefali Shah’s recent work includes the film ‘Three Of Us,’ where she starred alongside Jaideep Ahlawat. In this movie, she portrayed Shailaja Desai, a woman suffering from dementia, delivering a sensitive and nuanced performance that was widely appreciated.
