Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Shefali Shah Discusses Her Elegant, Audacious Sort-of Memoir
Shefali Shah has written a book called The Audacity of Being.
She calls it a “sort-of memoir” because she still has more to learn and experience.
The book does not tell her life in order.
Instead, it mixes stories, poems, jokes and serious thoughts.
Shah says her publisher picked a scene about her hair to start the book.
She also talks about how older actors can be given fewer roles.
She thinks streaming shows have helped more talented actors get noticed.
Shah remembers making The Last Lear with director Rituparno Ghosh as a peaceful experience.
The film won her a National Award.
Shefali Shah describes The Audacity of Being as a “sort-of memoir,” saying she did not feel she had reached a definitive point in life.
The book moves between prose, poetry, humor and personal reflections rather than following a chronological structure.
Shah says her publisher chose to open the book with a scene about her hair, which she felt would capture readers’ attention.
She says OTT platforms have helped capable actors, including those previously placed in supporting roles, take leading space on screen.
Shah recalls working with filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh on The Last Lear as a calm, collaborative experience; the film won her a National Award.
- Who
- Actor and author Shefali Shah discusses her book, The Audacity of Being.
- What
- Shah describes the book’s creation and form, and reflects on acting, OTT and her work on The Last Lear.
- Why
- Shah says she wanted the book to reflect her voice and mix humor, honesty, poetry and prose, rather than present a chronological account of her life.
Shah’s views
Challenges she describes
Older actors’ opportunities
Shah’s views
Shah says opportunities for actors have begun to change, and OTT has allowed skilled performers to own more screen time.
Challenges she describes
She says actors can be typecast, and that older actresses may find few suitable parts.
Television and film storytelling
Shah’s views
Shah recalls earlier television as offering distinctive shows with clear beginnings, middles and endings, and says screen work has since changed.
Challenges she describes
She criticizes some current television as looking alike and recalls a period in films when women were mainly expected to look pretty and be rescued.
- Book
- The Audacity of Being
- Author
- Shefali Shah
- Book description
- Shah calls it a “sort-of memoir.”
- Structure
- The book combines prose, poetry, humor and personal reflections without a chronological order.
- Opening chapter
- Untamed Women With Wild Hair
- Film discussed
- The Last Lear
- Director
- Rituparno Ghosh
- Recognition
- Shah says The Last Lear won her a National Award.