Shefali Shah Reveals Husband Vipul Shah Advised Against Her Role in Waqt

Shefali Shah has opened up about her decision to play Akshay Kumar’s mother in Waqt: The Race Against Time, revealing that her husband and the film’s director, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, advised her against taking up the role. She explained that she went ahead with the film despite his advice because Amitabh Bachchan had recommended her for the part and she wanted to do it.

Reflecting on the decision, Shefali stated, “In fact he (Vipul) had told me don't do it but Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) recommended it. And also, I wanted to do it.” She noted that her choice was driven by a desire to explore different dimensions of acting and take on characters unlike herself, rather than being guided by a manager or career strategy.

However, the role led to professional consequences. Shefali revealed she later faced a phase where she was predominantly offered maternal roles, some featuring mothers older than her actual age. While she had no objection to playing a mother, she wanted roles appropriate to her age and circumstances, acknowledging that she put herself in that situation.

Directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the 2005 family drama Waqt: The Race Against Time featured Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar as a father and son, alongside Priyanka Chopra and Shefali Shah.