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Shefali Shah: My Husband Feared My Acting Career
5 Oct
Summary
- Shah accepted a mother role in her 30s, contrary to husband's advice.
- Amitabh Bachchan's recommendation secured her the 'Waqt' mother role.
- The casting led to an influx of similar 'mommy' roles.
In her debut book, 'The Audacity of Being: A Sort-of Memoir,' Shefali Shah recounts a pivotal career decision from 2005. Her husband, Vipul Shah, initially dissuaded her from playing the mother role in his directorial venture, 'Waqt.' He feared it would permanently typecast her as a maternal figure, especially as she was in her early thirties and younger than her on-screen son, Akshay Kumar.
Despite her husband's reservations, Shah was drawn to the character of Sumi. The role was initially considered for Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini, but both options proved unfeasible. It was Amitabh Bachchan, who was slated to play the father, who suggested Shah for the part, a recommendation Vipul Shah couldn't refuse.
Shah acknowledged that accepting the role had a lasting professional impact. While she hoped audiences would appreciate her versatility, the decision resulted in her being predominantly offered 'mommy' roles, reminiscent of veteran actresses like Nirupa Roy. Despite the career ramifications, Shah cherishes the opportunity to have worked with Bachchan and her husband on 'Waqt.'
