Shefali Shah: Glad people are finally looking at me as a lead or a parallel lead

Shefali Shah aspires to portray just the protagonist after playing roles of women much older than herself and appearing in ensemble cast films in the past. Right now, playing the lead is the actor's priority, she revealed in an interview with the Hindustan Times. Writers are composing content for her, and directors are planning projects with her in mind. This is something Shefali has been looking forward to for a long time. The actor is relieved that people are finally taking notice of her as a potential lead or parallel lead. That's what she wants to do in the future.

So, what prompted her to sign up for Doctor G, a film in which she would play a supporting role? Shefali told the portal that she committed herself a long time ago. Unless it's an ensemble film like Monsoon Wedding (2001), which had a fantastic cast, script, and characters, the actor doesn't just want to be a part of the production just because it's a big commercial film.

The 48-year-old may have defied the existing quo by demolishing prejudices connected to ageism and sexism in Hindi cinema with titles like Delhi Crime, Ajeeb Daastaans, and the recently released Jalsa, but she admits that she never feels the pressure to set new rules with each movie she works on.

Shefali said that there's no analytical thought or calculation involved when she's offered a script. Her instincts and heart tell her what to do, and if it turns her inside out, she will do it.

When asked if she is confident that the debate over meatier roles for female performers can finally be put to rest now that she's done a plethora of women-focused programming in the last couple of years, Shefali said there's so much more potential. From here on out, all it needs to do is grow and blossom, and it's still a constant ambition.