Shefali Shah’s first book, The Audacity of Being: A Sort-of Memoir, is a collection of essays exploring relationships, parenting, body image and creative self-doubt.
File photograph: IFFI, Goa, 2007. Shefali Shah is second from left.
Photo: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (PIB) / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)
In an interview published on 5 October 2026, she discussed the breakdown of her first marriage. She said she had written about her personal life with respect.
File photograph: IFFI, Goa, 2007. Shefali Shah is second from left.
Photo: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (PIB) / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)
Shefali says she asked to play Sumi after seeing the original play. She eventually received the role on Amitabh Bachchan’s suggestion, playing Akshay Kumar’s mother in Waqt.
File photograph: IFFI, Goa, 2007. Shefali Shah is second from left.
Photo: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (PIB) / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)
Shefali writes that offers of mother roles increased after Waqt. Speaking to PTI, she said she had expected the part to demonstrate her acting range.
File photograph: IFFI, Goa, 2007. Shefali Shah is second from left.
Photo: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (PIB) / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)
Her films include Satya, Monsoon Wedding, Jalsa and Darlings. She also received acclaim for playing DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in the Netflix series Delhi Crime.
File photograph: IFFI, Goa, 2007. Shefali Shah is second from left.
Photo: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India (PIB) / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)
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