Shefali Shah on stereotyping in films: Dug my grave playing wife to much older man

India Today

31-07-2025

Actor Shefali Shah recently shared her views on how women are stereotyped in cinema. She further confessed how the OTT has changed the entire game altogether. Shah also opened up about the industry's ageist mindset and how roles for women drastically shrink once they cross a certain age.The actor spoke about the same at the Women Summit during her session titled: Begums of Binge: How Streaming is Empowering Women alongside actor Bhumi Pednekar and Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix. Shefali recalled the challenges of being typecast early on and how the advent of OTT platforms finally gave her the space to flourish as a leading actor in her 40s.advertisement'I feel lucky because, at one point, there was simply no space for women in cinema after a certain age. After 25 or 28, you are considered inconsequential. I know that might sound rude, but it's the truth. If you look back at the films of the '60s, women of all ages were celebrated. If you take a look at films like 'Chandni' or 'ChaalBaaz', for instance, the heroines were fierce, powerful, and appreciated for who they were.'
She further added, 'Then came a phase where a woman's role was reduced to merely being eye candy. She was there to beautify the screen. It's sad that makers didn't realise that women have so much more to offer. After marriage and children, it was like, go home, your part is done.'Having said that, Shah looked back on the time when she played the role of Amitabh Bachchan's wife in 'Waqt: The Race Against Time' at an early age.'I dug my own grave when I played the mother or wife to a much older man. If someone had told me I'd be playing lead roles in my 40s, I would've laughed it off. And yet, it actually happened. What changed everything for me was OTT. I only wish it had come earlier as I lost out on a lot,' she concluded.Meanwhile, on the work front, Shefali Shah will next be seen in 'Delhi Crime' Season 3. 'Delhi Crime' is directed and written by Tanuj Chopra. It is bankrolled by Apoorva Bakshi, Michael Hogan, Florence Sloan, Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Sagansky, Matt Aragachi, Sanjay Bachani, Pooja Kohli, Kilian Kerwin, Shefali Shah, and Tanuj Chopra. Other than Shah, the series will also mark the return of Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang.- EndsMust Watch