FILM INTERVIEW: SHEFALI SHAH

 

Ms. Shah was apparently thrilled when she found out her husband cast her as a glam housewife -- something that is not only a first for her, but a major departure from films she previously starred in, where she played older or more mature characters.

 

“At last, I get to play my age,” Ms. Shah told the press about her role as she promoted Kuch Love Jaisa. “I was bored of playing characters who are double my age, and was desperately looking for a change. I’m happy that Barnali Shukla, the director of this film, could see it in me to carry off a character like this. It’s something that even my husband could never have thought of, so I’m really grateful to her. I just hope to get the same reaction from the audience as well.”

 

Not only was Ms. Shah’s role different from her repertoire, but she also had to get used to working with her husband, the film’s producer. Of course, Ms. Shah was quick to point out her casting in Kuch Love Jaisa was not the function of typical Bollywood-style nepotism, but instead sheer coincidence. After all, it was Ms. Shukla, not her husband, who roped Ms. Shah into the film.

 

“Actually, I’d already signed this film to be directed by Barnali Shukla. When Vipul heard the script from me, he liked it so much and wanted to produce the film. He spoke to her, and things were sorted out, so he came on board much later,” Ms. Shah told the press.

 

Still, Ms. Shah said she was able to keep within her own space, despite her husband’s presence on set, what with the only difference being the actress having to tend to a few “personal” issues.

 

“It became all the more complicated, as I had to take care of everything in Vipul’s absence. I was like the hostess who had to make sure that everyone in the team likes the working environment and delivers their best,” the actress told the Indian press.

 

The effort was probably worth it, however, as Ms. Shah had some high praise for Kuch Love Jaisaa.

 

“There are so many emotions that can’t be described in words. The film is about two people who have still not kissed and admitted to their relationship,” the actress described to the press. It’s about their journey together before they fall in love with each other. It’s always interesting to see two totally different people trying to figure out what love is together. As they say, opposites always attract.”

 

Opposites may attract each other outside the realm of love as well, what with Ms. Shah pointing out that, while masala film stars and Indian new age actors may mix together like oil and water, the more artistic actors seem to be finding a mainstream audience.

 

“I think realistic/art cinema has always been there, but it’s now getting closer to commercial cinema in terms of its content and production value,” Ms. Shah informed the press. “Actors like Naseeruddin and Shabana Azmi have always been known for their association with art cinema, but the thin line that used to divide the art cinema and the commercial cinema is now vanishing. It’s now just good cinema.”

 

Of course, Ms. Shah tiptoes the line in Kuch Love Jaisaa in portraying her character in masala film fashion, despite being an acclaimed actress from the independent cinema realm. Yet, despite the excitement she had in taking on the challenge of playing a glam-themed character, she is not so sure she is ready to cross over entirely into the world of Bollywood.

 

“I’m a greedy actor, and I love taking up challenges as an actor, but I don’t think I can make acting the central focal point of my life and let other things revolve around it. Acting is just a part of my life; it’s not life. I don’t care about the number game or reaching the top slot,” Ms. Shah candidly said to the media. “I want creative satisfaction when I say yes to a particular role, and nothing else. There are other things that make me feel good about my existence, such as reading a book, listening to good music, or simply spending quality time with people who really matter to me.”

 

Even more, she is not so sure she will play a glam character ever again.

 

“It’s not about playing glamorous roles; it’s about playing my age on screen. When I played Akshay Kumar’s mother in Waqt, everyone in the industry quickly categorized me, and I was inundated with many such offers. That completely curtailed my creativity,” Ms. Shah frankly stated. “It’s not that I didn’t like doing those roles, because once you take up a role, you want to do it convincingly. Everyone liked me in Waqt and (Anil Kapoor’s) Gandhi My Father, but I wanted to do something different. With Kuch Love Jaisaa, I’m hoping to get a lot of young, vibrant roles coming my way.”

 

Hopefully such young and vibrant roles will indeed be sent her way, and Ms. Shah will eventually look back upon a career that includes some of the most diverse and qualitative set of roles an actress can take on in her career.

 

Until that day eventually comes, Ms. Shah will be crossing her fingers for audiences to rush to theaters this weekend to take in Kuch Love Jaisaa.