Acclaimed actor Shefali Shah has opened up about her ongoing struggle with self-doubt and impostor syndrome, despite her decorated career. As she prepares for the release of Delhi Crime season 3, Shah revealed that she feels terrified before every performance and considers each successful role a stroke of luck rather than mastery. The actor, who has won numerous awards including Best Actress at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her portrayal of supercop Vartika Chaturvedi, admits that stepping back into the character remains challenging. She confessed that her anxiety extends beyond Delhi Crime to all her acting projects, and she fears freezing up when the director calls action. However, Shah believes this nervous energy keeps her instincts alive and prevents her craft from becoming mechanical. The third season of Delhi Crime, directed by Tanuj Chopra, will stream on Netflix from 13 November and features Huma Qureshi as the new antagonist.
Self-doubt keeps acting fresh despite awards and acclaim
Shah explained that her terror and uncertainty are not specific to Delhi Crime but accompany every role she undertakes. She clarified that she is not seeking compliments but genuinely feels anxious about her ability to perform. The actor described her working style as spontaneous and heart-driven, without following an instruction manual for any character. Shah emphasized that she does not have a fixed system for becoming Vartika Chaturvedi or approaching particular scenes. This lack of formula, she believes, is precisely what keeps her craft genuine. She stated that the day she feels she has mastered acting and knows everything, she should retire. Her nervous energy and instinct-based approach prevent her work from becoming mechanical or predictable, allowing her to rediscover the art with each new project.
Source: Link