MUMBAI : In a conversation with an entertainment portal, talented actress Shefali Shah spoke briefly about her personal life, how she deals with negativity, and more.

In your personal life, you did face some hardships but found love again. So, being a public figure, did the thinking of society or others bother you?

“I've worked very hard. I used to believe that marriages mean happily ever after. But the whole phase wasn't making me a richer, happier, and sane person, and after a point of time, you feel it's not right for you anymore. And because I know I gave it a lot of time and everything I had in me, others’ opinions didn't bother me. I don't even know why people make a big hue and cry about it. If something doesn't make you happy it’s not worth it. I can't please everyone.”

Who has supported you through your lowest phase in life? “Everyone! My parents, Vipul, my children, and my closest friends supported me. I reached a point where I felt that the kind of work I want to do will not always come to me, so I dealt with it. Moreover, it's not that I wasn't getting any offers. It was a choice that I made. I could be more popular, but I won't be doing what I love.”

(Also read: Must read! Giving preference to stars is very annoying: Shefali Shah on what she would like to change in the film industry)

After doing six projects in the lockdown  you also became an entrepreneur with your restaurants in Ahmedabad. How did you come up with this idea? Was it just out of your love for cooking?

“I love food! I love cooking, serving, and hosting people. I love working on interior design. So, Jalsa became a combination of all of it. I felt like I should do it.”

You're doing a film with Alia and Vijay Verma. Is two women working together different from how it used to be before?

“There's no difference. It varies from person to person. And I've been lucky to have worked with great actresses before.”

How do you deal with negativity and self-doubt?

“As far as my work is concerned, I'm terrified when I go on set. I have this fear that I'll stand there dumbfounded when the director says 'action'. It will be the end of me if I think I know it all. I don't have any such overconfidence. But who says confident women can't have self-doubts? I count on my director, audience, and my closest friends for validation.”

Good luck, Shefali!

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(Also read: Shefali Shah on female actors breaking stereotypes with challenging roles)