LIVING HER TRUTH

Actor Shefali Shah on making peace with herself, evolving in her craft, and believing in the power of the Universe.

- NANDINI BHALLA

Nandini Bhalla: Tell us about your very first memory of cinema.

Shefali Shah: “We rarely watched films... When Doordarshan began streaming black-and-white movies, we would eagerly wait to watch them. My family and I frequently visited Gaiety Galaxy [in Bandra, Mumbai] to watch movies and devour samosas. I distinctly remember going to watch Angoor [1982]... And while I was not allowed to watch Ghar [1978]—owing to its disturbing scenes—I would sneakily try making sense of the film by listening to the dialogues from the other room.

As a child, I was never asked about the films I wanted to watch. I come from a family that aren’t avid film lovers, but there were specific movies we made sure we watched in theatres. Luckily, my mother knew someone in Gaiety who would help us get tickets. When there weren’t any seats available, I would sit on the stairs and watch the film—entirely mesmerised by the scenes. And strangely enough, I had no aspirations of becoming an actor. I had contemplated becoming a neurosurgeon or a stewardess, a dancer or even a singer...but acting, it was beyond the horizon.”

NB: Do you think that you’ve been pigeonholed into the role of a strong, female protagonist?