Shefali Shah on Life, Career Choices and the Stories Behind The Audacity of Being at Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest 2026

 India : Over the course of three incredible days, Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest 2026 witnessed several book launches, including noted actor Shefali Shah’s autobiography, The Audacity of Being. In the session “The Choices We Make,” Shah, in conversation with journalist and author Jane Borges, drew from her book to reflect on the experiences that have shaped her life and career, from childhood and motherhood to professional choices, self-doubt and the courage to embrace vulnerability. With candour and wit, she also discussed why she chose to tell her story on her own terms. Some excerpts:

On writing her autobiography, The Audacity of Being, Shefali Shah said: “It was my choice to put in what I felt like and skip what I wanted to. I was sure of one thing, that whatever I put in, once I’ve decided that, that’s going to be in complete honesty. And, whether this is good or bad, I’m glad I stuck to that. I know it’s honest.”

She further explained why she chose not to make the book a scandal-driven account: “I feel a scandal is only important for that much time. After that, it’s not real. I mean, then you move on. And certain conversations don’t just belong to me, they belong to other people. And I have no right to venture into that because this is my book and I cannot disrespect anyone by trying to pass a judgment on what they thought or believed.”

On learning to move forward after failure, Shefali Shah said: “You fail, you fall down, you get hurt, then you grieve about it for some time, then what? Then you have to get up and move at some point in time. So honestly, it is that, and, you know, failure isn’t where it all ends. It’s in fact the start of going to build yourself up stronger.

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