Shefali Shah says her career has been more about waiting than actually working

Better late than never, says Shefali Shah about recognition she has amassed over past few years with performance in films such as "Dil Dhakne Do", "Darlings" and popular Netflix show "Delhi Crime".

actor recently received an International Emmy nomination for second season of "Delhi Crime" in which she plays role of police officer Vartika Chaturvedi.

"I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I don’t know what it means to me or for my career but I think it’s a huge honour. beauty of OTT is that it reaches across globe and to be picked out of se wonderful actors is really a big honour for me. It is a validation that what I do is good," Shah told PTI in an interview.

50-year-old actor has been working in profession since 1993 and has a substantial body of work across all platforms -- atre, TV, films, and OTT.

She said she feels blessed that appreciation has translated into more work opportunities.

"I'm like, ‘Der aaye durust aaye (Better late than never)’. Honestly, I’m gl. All se years, my career has been more about waiting than actually working. I've been lucky to get appreciation and respect but it wasn't translating into work.

"I was like, what do you do with this respect and appreciation, if I can't do more work? (But now) it is translating into work, which is great." Shah believes "Delhi Crime", which started in 2019, gave confidence to many filmmakers that she can carry a project on her shoulder.

Some of projects where she played a le or secondary le include films like "Darlings" alongside Alia Bhatt, "Jalsa" with Vidya Balan, and Disney+ Hotstar series "Human".

"‘Delhi Crime’ changed my life. It changed my work, my career and way I work as well. So that became a turning point for me. It also became a learning point as people saw me playing a le role and thought that she can carry this off, etc," she said.

"Last year, with all releases, it went ahe to show that re were actors who trusted me enough to put me in le or parallel les and primary cast. It has really taken a long time for it to happen and it has a big deal to do with ‘Delhi Crime’," she ded.

first season of “Delhi Crime” h won International Emmy for best drama series in 2020, first ever for India.

Shah expressed gratitude to writers and directors for penning meatier roles for women of all age group.

"It's great to know that finally directors and writers are seeing women at ir prime in any age group. You don't just have to be 16 to 20 years old to be a heroine or le.

"Earlier, unfortunately, actresses h a shelf life but we don't have it anymore. We are infinite," she said.

Besides Shah, actors Jim Sarbh and comedian Vir Das received nominations for 2023 International Emmy Awards. Sarbh got a best actor nod for his performance in show “Rocket Boys”, while Das’ stand-up special “Landing” is nominated in comedy category.

Shah said it's wonderful to see Indian actors receive international acclaim for ir work.

"It is great because it is becoming inclusive, and it is not just Indian talent but across globe... re’s a long way to go for it to become even more prominent but at least it has started. This year, best actor award did not go to an actor from US. It’s fabulous." International Emmy Awards ceremony will be held in New York City on November 20, and Shah said she is looking forward to attending it.

"I met a friend of mine recently and I was complaining, ‘What is re to do now, I get bored, and I don't have anything to look for’. She said, ‘You have to write your speech, you’ve to pick up what you are wearing’.

"I was like, ‘Yes, I got something to do.' I'm really looking forward to being re because when ‘Delhi Crime’ won Emmy, thing I missed most was that we were not toger when we heard announcement." Up next for actor is third season of "Delhi Crime", which Shah said is in writing stage and will go on floors next year.