Shefali Shah

“I think terrorism is a cruel waste of life.”

“What I do in films is really special work but it doesn't happen everyday. On the other hand, art is completely my domain. It is my freedom of expression; I decide what I want to say, which satisfies and completes me.”

“I'm always getting into trouble because I'm not politically correct.”

“My films are my choices and I am extremely proud to be associated with my projects.”

“I realise that there is a certain expectation from a 'typical heroine' in Bollywood. She is expected to be beautiful and have a toned body. And to achieve that, I have literally starved myself.”

“I was lucky to get really good films, even though I don't have 100 films in my resume.”

“I've neglected my own vanity. Not that I regret it, but looking good is part of my job.”

“I have always stuck to my belief and conviction no matter how unconventional.”

“The industry is showing me respect as an actor.”

“Being an actress has the same requirements as being an actor, but it needs more. Fair, reed thin, tall, can lip-synch, can dance, can fight, ideally can act, has to be single all her life and most importantly, needs to be PG18 bracket.”

“With the digital space, you can see whatever you want in the confines of your home.”

“I am a spontaneous actor. I don't like giving more than two takes.”

“The basic thing you teach your children is to respect other people. It is not rocket science; it's as simple as brushing your teeth.”

“I genuinely believe that our daughters would be safe if our sons are raised right.”

“As actors, we want to show our acting prowess but one has to understand what to show and when to show. I learnt very early in my life that it is not required to be in the forefront all the time. There is a moment that belongs to you but when you are not needed, you need to disappear.”

“I don't know any other way of doing a show besides being completely consumed by it and the character.”

“It's very difficult for a mother to disown her child even if he/she is wrong.”

“Filmmaking involves a lot of passion, hard work, thought process and money. But 'Gandhi My Father' is a selfless film, a film made with complete selflessness. We all went beyond ourselves.”

“In the '80s, there was a fixed costume of a heroine, and not the physical costume, but this is what a heroine is, she is an art prop. She will look beautiful, support the hero, dance, get saved by hero. I didn't ever aim to go there.”

“As actors when we have to emote, we internalise things, find moments that hurt us and portray them.”