'We are not insecure actors'

After doing many supporting roles in movies, the actress will be finally seen as the leading lady in the commercial romantic comedy, Kucch Luv Jaisaa. In the City to promote the film, she spoke to Metrolife about her role, Bollywood and co-star Rahul Bose.

“I play the character of Madhu, a housewife and any woman from any caste, creed or country would be able to identify with her,” says Shefali. The theme of a bored housewife is a commonly heard of idea but it was the treatment that got Shefali interested. “The movie does not deal with the theme melodramatically. She prefers to rediscover herself and take a day off from cooking and cleaning,” she says. Shefali has evidently lost quite a lot of weight for the movie. “Yes I had to look a certain way for the role, which I did. It was a challenge to play Madhu but I did not have any inhibitions about doing this role,” she says. “It was my director’s choice to cast me,” she adds.

About the film, she says, “It is a funny film. It is laced with humour but it is also a love story.” She adds, “The movie is named so because in the end, what the characters share is something that has no name.” Shefali says she is a great fan of romantic movies herself. “I love love stories. Some of my favourites are ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Intolerable Cruelty’ and ‘Guide’. All of these are very different movies, that I love. I cried buckets while watching Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,” she says.

Shefali says she had a great time working with Rahul Bose. “I share an incredible chemistry with Rahul, which shows in the movie. We are not insecure actors so there is no one-upmanship going on. And we compliment each other,” she says. “In reality, we are drastically different people and that, I think, works for the movie too because the two characters are so different,” she adds.

Other than movies, Shefali dabbles regularly with theatre as well. “I am part of the play Bas Itna Sa Khwab and that keeps me busy,” she says. “We have also bought a new house so I am decorating it,” she adds. She is also quite hopeful of the current Bollywood scenario. “There are a lot of stories that are being told now. Thank God we are breaking out of that regular song and dance routine,” she signs off.