Exclusive! Shefali Shah: Not everyone has to love your work but the last thing you want is hatred

Fresh-faced, visibly happy with the success of her latest projects, and exuding positive energy: our latest interaction with Shefali Shah was fantastic, to say the least. In the to-be released video conversation with OTTplay, the Delhi Crime star—wich had won the 'Best Drama Series' at the 48th International Emmys in 2020—spoke to us about the transition that her character Vartika has undergone during the course of the much-hyped second season, her take on receiving 'hatred' over cinema and what would it mean if the OTT space is subjected to today's toxic cancel culture.

Excerpts from our chat with the star: 

We really want to know, first it was Darlings earlier this month and now Delhi Crime Season 2. How do you manage to render such splendid performances every single time? We can say this with conviction as we have already watched the show.

(Smiles!) Thank you so much but I really don't know. I work on my instincts, of course there's a lot of work that I do behind the camera. But, once I come in front of the camera, I do forget all of it. I really don't know what I do when I get in front of the camera, and Tanuj can vouch for that. My directors can vouch for that. Luckily, touch wood, it's working! 

Tell us how has Vartika Chaturvedi (her character in the show) during the course of this season and in what ways has she evolved as a person?

I think in DC 1, she was a hero, and in DC 2, she is a human. It takes a lot for someone to accept their mistakes. She is introspective throughout the season and she questions what she is seeing. She not only questions what she is seeing around but she also questions herself. Vartika accepts when she falters and she chooses to make it right even if it costs her (heavily). I think that's a lot of grace. And she is not perfect. Also, in season one, there was no wavering of moral compass. There was no question of right or wrong: it was very clear. As in, this is wrong and these are the bad guys and I have to get them. But, in this season, it is not as simple as that, it is far more complicated. And she goes through all of it. And there's so many layers to it, I mean DC Season 1 also had layers; there was anger, pain and angst and a cry for justice, but over here, they (refering to the emotions) are not, let's say, 'naked'. The emotions are not as naked and bare as compared to the first season. And I think it is about delving deeper and deeper into what is going on with all the cops invoved. 

We all know about the multiple boycott calls on several projects so far. If OTT is ever subjected to something similar, what would that mean for you as creative people?

Well, I hope not. But, touchwood, I have just been blessed with a lot of love and appreciation and I just hope that's how it stays. Because, finally what we do and where we stand has to do with the audience. Of course, they are entitled to the choice of liking something and not liking something. But, I can only hope and pray and cross my fingers that, you know, it's not neccassary that everyone has to love your work but the last thing you would want is hatred. And I am not just saying this as an actor or a professional, I hope no one ever reaches a point where there is a word as strong as hate that comes to mind, even generally in life.