Shefali Shah on Jaideep Ahlawat: 'Always a treat to work with a good actor,' hails success of actors who "are getting a chance" | Exclusive

Her Emmy-nominated character as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi returns in the highly anticipated Delhi Crime Season 3. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Shefali Shah highlighted her forthcoming projects, including the heist thriller Hisaab, ahead of the Netflix series premiere. The film marks her reunion with filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and her Three of Us co-star Jaideep Ahlawat.

Dynamics of working with Vipul Amrutlal Shah on Hisaab

Nearly 20 years after their last feature film, Waqt: The Race Against Time, Shefali and Vipul reunite for the latest heist thriller, Hisaab. She elaborated on the high level of professionalism that characterises their collaboration.

"Vipul and I respect each other and each other's work very much," the actor said when asked about their professional collaboration. "So I will never ask him to make a film for me, and he will never ask me to do a project just because he's making it. So we always come together on something we both love. If it fits both of us, and it's like, 'Wow, this we have to create together.' So that is one; the base start is only very good. There is no compromise on either side with our creatives or what we want to do. So that is much better. Is it easier for me, or does it become easier because he's my husband and I get a lot of leeway? No. He treats me like any other actor, so that is how it is. We work well together. I hope this film does very well too. I think next year we'll see it release. So I'm very excited about it. And he is a filmmaker I respect. And I like working with him. So it's always wonderful to collaborate with somebody you respect and whose work you love."

ALSO READ: Before Delhi Crime 3 on OTT, here's revisiting what Shefali Shah's Emmy-winning show was about in seasons 1 and 2

According to Shefali, Hisaab is a change from her previous work since it delves into the thriller genre and is set to be released next year.

Reuniting with Jaideep Ahlawat

The film also brings Shefali together with Ahlawat, with whom she previously shared screen space in the critically acclaimed film Three of Us. She spoke highly of the actor, calling him one of the best performers working today.

On working with Jaideep Ahlawat, the actor went on to say, "Jaideep, I think he's stupendous as an actor. He's just one of the finest we have. And we did Three of Us together, and it was so beautiful. That film – everything about that film is just so beautiful. It is Avinash Arun, and there was Jaideep, and there was Swanand (Kirkire), and there was Kadambari. The way it's shot and the way it's written and all of it was like, the word you use is correct, it's soulful. And it was so beautiful for him and me to come together in that. Then again, we're doing Hisaab together. Poles apart and in Hisaab also, it's like we're probably on the opposite side of a spectrum. So, it's always a treat to work with a good actor. And Jaideep is just… he is just too good."

She went on to express her respect for his path by sharing a touching story about his accomplishment after the series Paatal Lok. Shefali shared, "When he did Paatal Lok, and the hoarding of Amul came out, I can't tell you how happy I felt. I was so happy seeing that because I was like, 'Yo, you know, yes, this is what he deserves.' And according to me, having the Amul hoarding is one of the biggest things you can imagine in your career, like, 'Oh, the Amul, that thing.' So I was so happy for him. Like, I was just like, he deserves it. It's great that actors like us are getting a chance. Otherwise, some years ago, we would have been lost. So every time he does a project, I'm probably one of his biggest cheerleaders. And he's fabulous to work with."

On November 13, 2025, Delhi Crime Season 3 will drop on Netflix.

FAQs:

Q: When is Delhi Crime Season 3 releasing?

A: Delhi Crime Season 3 is scheduled to be released on November 13, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. Shefali Shah reprises her role as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi.

Q: What is Shefali Shah's new movie Hisaab about?

A: Hisaab is a highly anticipated heist thriller directed and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. It marks his return to the heist genre after his 2002 film Aankhen. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and is expected to be part of a potential 'heist universe.'

Q: Who is Jaideep Ahlawat reuniting with in the film Hisaab?

A: Jaideep Ahlawat is reuniting with Shefali Shah for Hisaab, after their critically acclaimed collaboration on the film Three of Us. He is also working again with director/producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah.