Film Industry Is About Luck Even If You Have Talent
Raise your sons right so that women are respected, actor Shefali Shah tells FICCI Ladies.
HYDERABAD, Apr 13 (The CONNECT) – “My life was of more waiting than acting,” said renowned movie, TV and theatre actor Shefali Shah explaining that “I was always an actress in the waiting”.
Participating in an interactive session organised by FLO – FICCI Ladies Organisation – on Thursday, Shefali advised women to have a lot of patience.
On a question about her advice to young girls who wish to get into the film industry, Shefali said I don’t say don’t get into it. All I say is “lage raho, keep testing your water. Follow your guts. Keep trying.”
Luck has a massive role to play in the film industry. But one should have talent too, she pointed out.
Shefali was in conversation with Ms Ratna Rao Shekar Author and Editor–Wow Hyderabad in a session Shattering Stereotypes, the fearless voice of Shefali Shah, held at The Park in Necklace Road in the city.
Responding to the moderator’s question as to how she strikes balance between profession and activism Shefali said to be honest what she does on the screen has no connection to what she does in real life.
Each individual’s life is different and “we don’t have any instructions booklet to lead our life,” she said.
FLOwing with audience…Shefali (centre).
“I am a strict person at home, raising my two sons,” she said. “Our sons help us with domestic chores. They don’t get food if they don’t sweep or mop the floor,” she said and advised FLO members: Raise your sons right so that women are respected.
Replying to a question as to how she brings character to life, Shefali said “I am a 100% actor when I am in the sets. I don’t think of anything beyond my work on that day. I give 100% to whatever I do. I get obsessed with the role I am portraying in the movie.
Asked if an actresses should look glamorous as is generally perceived, Shefali said, “I don’t subscribe to this argument”. An actress is supposed to look like the character she is playing. There is no place for stereotypes now, we see many models of various shapes, sizes, and skin colours. All are accepted now. Those days of stereotypes are over, she said. It is only a myth that they should have a zero size, she narrated.Earlier welcoming the 200 plus gathering, FLO chairperson Ritu Shah said Shefali is known for her powerful performances and fearless voice, which is why they chose to invite her to interact with their members. 
