Shefali Shah On Finding Power In Vulnerability

Playing DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in Netflix's Delhi Crime has been epiphanic for Shefali Shah.

The show’s first season won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series (2020), its second season brought the actor an International Emmy nomination in 2023. The show is back for a third season, and the actor underlines Vartika’s ‘strength in vulnerability’, a commonality she shares with the character. “If you didn’t feel strongly, how would you act upon it? Sensitivity is a woman’s USP. It makes you stand apart,” she asserts. That’s why she considers being fondly addressed as ‘Madam Sir’ by fans as a salutation to the character she ably impersonates, someone who dodges patriarchy at work and home to remain undistracted from her undertaking. “Madam Sir? Yeah that’s a big one for me,” beams Shefali.

She chats with us about her character’s emotional intensity, Huma Qureshi & what’s worked for her in her journey so far.

DIG Vartika Chaturvedi’s ‘bravado’ has been replaced by ‘gravitas’ in Delhi Crime 3. How did you portray these changes?

Vartika is carrying a lot of baggage. She has been banished from Delhi to Assam. In the name of promotion, it’s a punishment. But this case (human trafficking of girls) leads her back to Delhi, her home-ground, her karmabhoomi. She’s expected to sit behind the desk, follow the protocol and strategize. But Vartika being who she is wants to get her hands dirty. She doesn’t have the luxury to dwell on her intense emotions. She channels that in hunting down the culprits.  

She’s developed a quiet strength. She has grown inward and deeper. Normally, you’d associate power with aggression. But she doesn’t flip the lid. She can break a person down with just her gaze. Generally, a good performance is equated with histrionics. But that’s not the route I’ve taken this time. It’s about silent power.

The show hinges on ‘woman power’. What actually makes a woman powerful?

We believe power lies in strength, which it does. But there’s great power and beauty in vulnerability and sensitivity. I’m talking about Vartika (and myself too). She’s never been shy of hiding what she feels. If you didn’t feel strongly, how would you act upon it? Sensitivity is a woman’s USP. It makes you stand apart.

How do you detach from the emotional intensity of your character?

There are two aspects to this. One is detaching from the scene after it’s done. As Vartika, the scene consumes me. I give it my all and move on. Even if it were someone’s real life playing out, she has to figure out what’s to be done next. She can’t stick to one emotion. The other is detaching from the script. But I’ve no interest in detaching from the script. My family’s aware that when on a project, I’m obsessed with it. I eat, breathe the show/film.

Is there something about Vartika that will always remain in you?

She feels intensely like me – whether it’s joy, pain or anger. Rarely do I follow the centre line. Vartika is righteous. I’d like to believe I am too. She’s obsessive, which I am as well. Above all we both share the belief, ‘I am as good as my team’. She’s not an individual player. She knows that only together can we crack this.

You’re addressed as ‘Madam Sir’ in the show. Have you been addressed so even in real life?

All the time! In fact, audiences have been saying ‘Madam Sir is back!’ It makes my heart swell with pride. Some commented, ‘If we had Vartika in our city, it would be a safer place.’ Audiences find ‘Madam Sir’ inspiring. A young girl wrote, ‘I failed my UPSC exam and took up another profession. But after watching Vartika Chaturvedi, I’m convinced that this is the way to go. I’ve reapplied for my UPSC exam.’ Once after the first season, I was driving on the highway when I saw a big hoarding of an upcoming serial titled ‘Madam Sir’. That said a lot. I regard it as the biggest compliment.

How was your chemistry with Huma Qureshi who plays your nemesis this season?

When I got to hear that Huma is playing Badi Didi, I was so excited. Sadly, we just had two scenes together. Vartika and Badi Didi are opposite ends of the spectrum. Their way of conducting, reacting and expressing is different. I got to know Huma much better during the promotions. I respect her because she’s such a gracious person. A lot of actors can’t see beyond themselves. I take pride in the fact that when I love someone, I’m open about praising them and putting them ahead of me. Huma’s one of those. She’s eloquent, funny and cool.

Netflix

From a young actor in Hasratein (1997) to now the OG of OTT, in retrospect what’s worked for you?

Besides the passion, I’m obsessed with my work. I’m happiest on a set. I love what I do. I’ve also realised that ‘waiting’ has been a significant part of my journey. There have been periods of ‘no work’ because I’d say no if I didn’t feel emotionally connected to a subject. After Dil Dhadakne Do, I was offered phenomenal projects. But I feared I’d be put in a box. I preferred staying at home than doing something I wouldn’t enjoy or couldn’t experiment with.