Delhi Crime 3 actor Shefali Shah: ‘Don’t like complacency; every time I’m on a set I don’t know what I’m going to do’ | Exclusive

Home»Interviews»Delhi Crime 3 actor Shefali Shah: ‘Don’t like complacency; every time I’m on a set, I don’t know what I’m going to do’ | Exclusive»

In anticipation of the highly anticipated return of the Emmy-winning series Delhi Crime, actor Shefali Shah—the formidable and beloved “Madam Sir”—sits down for an exclusive chat with OTTPlay ahead of the Season 3 premiere on Netflix. Having seamlessly embodied DCP Vartika Chaturvedi across two critically acclaimed seasons, Shah opens up about the immense pressure and the profound internal journey of returning to such an iconic role after a significant interval. From dissecting the enduring, unwavering chemistry with her co-stars to revealing the unspoken aspects of Vartika’s character that transcend the script, this interview offers a deep dive into the creative challenges and triumphs of carrying one of India’s most respected crime dramas onto the global stage.

I remember when we used to discuss other films you worked on, such as Darlings and Jalsa. Every time, you mentioned that Vartika Chaturvedi is the only character where you feel like you simply wear the uniform, look into it, and you’re already there. This is the third time you are reprising the role, so was it equally straightforward as the first two times?

No, it’s not easy. Yes, something changes when you wear the uniform, but none of it is easy. As an actor, playing any character is not easy—not for me. I get very scared, and I’m, like, groping. I don’t know what is going to happen when the camera rolls. And as Vartika, it’s even more difficult because, you know, I think the pressure of how much she was loved and respected in the first two seasons weighs heavily. To maintain that—will I get the same kind of love and respect? All of that is very, very stressful and pressurising.

However, I would like to know why Netflix continues to renew Delhi Crime despite having many hit shows, given that renewal opportunities on Netflix seem quite limited. As a performer or member of the Delhi Crime team, why do you think they continue to renew the series?

Because there is no other show like Delhi Crime. It’s the best show that’s come out of India. It’s easily one of the best shows that’s come out… I mean, Season 1—I don’t need to say anything; it went ahead to win the Emmy. And Season 2 was so loved and respected, and, you know, there is a mad fan following for the show. So when the show was announced, even when the slate was announced, the reaction was like, “Oh my God, it’s coming back!”

You have played this character for six years, which is similar to what you experienced two decades ago when you portrayed a character for a longer duration on television. But here, you reprise Vartika after a certain interval. What is more fun or challenging: returning to a character after a break or staying with a character for a very long time?

Well, I would love it if there was a Delhi Crime every year, but it takes time to make something good, so that can’t happen. I think coming back to her works better. Luckily, when I did television, those were also very good shows. But there is a certain kind of complacency and tiredness that seeps into something you’re doing every single day. It becomes like, “Ha, I know what to do.” And I don’t like that place; I don’t like complacency. I like the fact that every time I’m on a set, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know whether I will be able to do it.

What aspects of Vartika did you discover that were not explicitly in the script, which made it easy for you to surrender to this character repeatedly?

She’s a very righteous person. She’s like the moral compass for society. Everyone thinks that, “Oh, we should have a Vartika, or somebody should; we can be like her.” She’s very obsessive. She was that in Season 1, but it was like, “Oh, that case was personal.” But for her, every case is personal. So she can’t detach herself at any point in time from any case. Once she goes at it, she’s just at it. I think what has happened over the seasons is she has learnt to use the system or tweak it to suit herself and how to get away with it. But also with every coming season, I think she’s becoming more and more defiant.

So there are a lot of things. See, when we did Season 1, I remember discussing with Richie Mehta, and I said the two most prevalent emotions this show will have—because at that point in time, we didn’t know whether there was going to be a repeat or whatever—were pain and anger. We had to be very careful about rationing those emotions because if you keep seeing it, it’s going to lose impact. But over the seasons, she’s grown, or rather, we’ve gotten to know her more deeply. So, there are so many things. You can’t actually—I can’t quantify it, and I can’t pinpoint and say, “Oh, this wasn’t there, but then this happened.” No, it’s always a marriage of a script, a character, and an actor.

One thing that I really like about you is your chemistry with your co-stars. This includes romantic chemistry, as well as the dynamic with Rajesh Tailang and Rasika Dugal. I mean, you are a senior officer with them, but there is a certain chemistry. How do you consistently achieve that? How do you ensure that this chemistry is reflected in your performance, demonstrating that Shefali Shah excels with everyone?

I think that is a quality that Vartika and I share—we believe that we are as good as our team is. She really believes it, and so do I; we think beyond ourselves. Vartika thinks beyond herself, and so does Shefali when I’m doing a project. I think I’m a small part of a big project. I’m not part of anything; that automatically makes me give respect to people I work with and respect them tremendously. That’s exactly what she does, and that’s what I do. I love people I work with, and I respect them tremendously. If I don’t get along with someone, I will be like, “Okay, kaam karo, ghar jao.” But otherwise, we’re all very giving people.

In DC [Delhi Crime], if the team didn’t work together, it wouldn’t work. In the same way, in a film, if the team didn’t work together, it can’t work. So everyone’s giving their bit; they’re all contributing a very, very integral part of themselves to the project. I understand that; I treasure it. I think it just comes naturally. As far as the Delhi Crime team is concerned, I remember when we did Season 1, we met one night before, one evening before the shoot was going to start. That was the first time I met a lot of the actors. Rajesh, I met for the first time then. All of them I met for the first time, but the next day when we started, it felt like this team belonged; they had been together forever. That comes when you have such amazing actors who are also giving and who are like, “Oh, let’s do this together, or maybe this will be better.” I’m probably one of the only actors who says, “Meri line kisi aur ko de do.” I’m like, I think Neeti should be saying this; this is more appropriate for Bhupinder. So I think that is what makes the chemistry, and it shows.

On the sets of Delhi Crime, do you bring that spontaneity as an actor, or do you strictly stick to the script?

The technical protocol of cops is something you can’t make up—you have to follow it. When you’re doing something based on real-life characters, or when you’re depicting a force, you have to be very, very careful about what you do and how you do it. So that goes without saying. But as an actor, you have to bring yourself to the table. Otherwise, how will this character be, and how will I own her? I remember when I was offered this, I was told that “I don’t need an actor; I need a collaborator.” I’m glad I’m working with directors who understand that, so it’s very important. When I did Season 1, Richie said, “This is her that I have written. Now you make her your own.” Then from there, it just grows.

Does the process differ when the director changes, as Tanuj Chopra has been directing the second and the third seasons?

Of course, it does. Both of them have their own unique way of working, their own unique perception of how the show is or should be, or the narrative, and their visual language. Of course, the visual language is something we’ve maintained throughout, and that’s a very, very strong part of Delhi Crime. But no, it changes a lot.

Your performances—especially as Vartika and in films like Juice—speak volumes in moments of absolute stillness. Can you describe your process for harnessing silence and restraint to convey an ocean of emotion, particularly in a high-tension role like the one in Delhi Crime 3?

Well, I have a great DOP who captures it. I genuinely believe that I have the privilege of a camera which catches the smallest of nuances. So, if you can say something in four words, don’t use eight. If you can say something in two words, don’t use four. And if you can say it without any words, don’t speak at all—those moments are universal. You don’t need a language to interpret or understand it. I feel strongly, and that shows on my face. It’s really as simple as that. It’s not like I have a manual where I say, “Expression number 33 karenge,” or that kind of thing. I feel it intensely, and that shows.

This season, it’s become even more so; there is no bravado to her anymore. She’s not like, “Oh, main aisa phod dungi.” No. She’s like, “This is what I have to do; this is what I will do.” It doesn’t mean she does not feel very intensely. She feels the pain, she feels the anger, but she does not have the luxury of time to indulge that. I don’t have the time to sit and cry. When I’m hearing a story which is breaking me from the victim, I’m feeling it, but if I break down, what kind of solace am I going to give the person in front of me? I have heard it, I’ve felt it, but right now I’m not going to sit and cry; I’m going to go behind those criminals who caused this pain.

So there is Delhi Crime—everyone is talking about it, and so are Netflix and our producers and our director—so it has become much bigger. It’s become much wider; it’s grown outward. But I feel Vartika, on the other hand, has grown inward. She’s gone more, and she’s going back to her core. She doesn’t find the need to express herself. I mean, yes, in cinema, a lot of times, histrionics or crying or screaming or making it more dramatic may work. But I see her differently, and it’s a chance I’m taking. It’s worked till now. There is also a growth of the character. Where does she come from? Where is she today? What all has she gone through in the last one year? So all of that is a process of who she becomes. And I just hope that this time also I get as much love as I did for seasons 1 and 2.

Following the Emmy win, Vartika’s journey has captivated the global audience. Does this international spotlight alter your perspective on your responsibility to the character?

As an actor, there is always a fear. I never go on a set thinking I know it. I’m always on a set thinking, “Now I don’t know what to do.” Yes, after 30 years, and I think that is what works for me. Because for every project, there is no complacency. I go at it like it’s the first one that I’ve ever done, which I think is my strength. The day I feel I know it, it’s going to be the end of my growth. So I can’t think like that. So every project has to have a certain benchmark; only if you don’t have that mark can you go wherever you want. But with every piece of work that I do, I have to be better. It goes without saying. Otherwise, I mean, I’ll be failing myself. And Emmy or no Emmy, the show itself had blown up, and so had Vartika and Madam Sir. I am terrified of the release, because I’m like, “What if I let her down? What if I let the show down?”

Q: What is Shefali Shah’s character’s name in Delhi Crime?A: Shefali Shah plays DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, who is affectionately known by her team and the audience as “Madam Sir.”Q: Who is the director of Delhi Crime Season 3?A: The director of Delhi Crime Season 2 and 3 is Tanuj Chopra, taking over from Richie Mehta (who directed Season 1 and serves as the series creator).Q: What is the release date and time for Delhi Crime Season 3 on Netflix?A: Delhi Crime Season 3 premiered today, Thursday, November 13, 2025, on Netflix.