Shefali Shah, the acclaimed actress, recently shared her thoughts on the digital revolution and her experiences in the latest season of Netflix's "Delhi Crime" in an exclusive interview. The Emmy-winning series is set to release its third season on November 13, 2025, on Netflix.
Shah expressed gratitude for being an actor during the rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms, acknowledging the opportunities it has created for actors. She returns as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in "Delhi Crime 3", a role for which she won the Best Actress award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards five years ago.
Despite her success, Shah admitted to grappling with impostor syndrome, confessing to feeling terrified before every performance. She clarifies that this terror isn't limited to "Delhi Crime" but persists with all her roles. According to Shah, this anxiety and nervous energy works for her. She describes her process as spontaneous and heartfelt, without a fixed manual.
In the interview, Shah also addressed the debate surrounding safety in Delhi versus Mumbai. While acknowledging that crime isn't exclusive to one city, she admitted to feeling uncomfortable going out in Delhi, unless it's for shooting with her team. Shah believes that safety isn't defined by a city’s name but by how people navigate spaces within it. The new season of "Delhi Crime" addresses the urgent issue of human trafficking, expanding beyond Delhi to reveal a nationwide nexus.
Shah also discussed the need for better working conditions in the film industry, advocating for reasonable working hours and a non-exploitative environment. She highlighted the grueling nature of an actor's daily routine and emphasized the importance of actors standing up for the rights of the crew.
Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang, who play key members of Vartika's team, also shared their experiences. Dugal, who plays Neeti Singh, noted the evolution of her character and herself over the years. Tailang, who plays Inspector Bhupendra Singh, emphasized the importance of maintaining freshness in characters to avoid repetition.
"Delhi Crime" Season 1 was based on the harrowing Nirbhaya case. Shah has said that Vartika takes every case personally and is hell-bent on solving it. Shah feels that in a series, there is more time to build a whole person.
