Wish I could be a tenth of Vidya Balan, says Shefali Shah on Jalsa

Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming movie Jalsa (2022) sees two top-notch actresses Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah together for the first time. Naturally, at the launch of the trailer for the film recently, an obvious question was about their camaraderie on the sets.

“I have been very lucky to work with actors who have all been incredible,” Shah responded. “As far as Vidya is concerned, I admire and adore her. There are qualities of her I wish I could have a tenth of. When you have an actor of this calibre opposite you, it only makes you richer as an actor, helps you grow.”

Directed by Suresh Triveni, who had made his directorial debut with the Vidya-starrer Tumhari Sulu (2017), Jalsa is about an accident involving the daughter of a domestic help played by Shah. Vidya essays the role of a journalist who takes up the case along with her junior, played by Vidhatri Bandi.

Shah revealed that she and Vidya don't share the screen much in the film. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of scenes together,” she said. “Both Rukhsana and Maya are not exactly in synch. There is a divide between them. I am not talking about the class or financial divide, just about the way the story pans out. But just the fact that I could be with her [on set] and perform alongside her makes me richer as an actor. I feed off actors opposite me.”

Produced by Abundantia Entertainment and presented by T-Series, Jalsa will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video from 18 March.