Shefali Shah Reflects on Playing Akshay Kumar’s Mother in Waqt: ‘I Didn’t Have the Maturity Back Then’

When Waqt: The Race Against Time released in 2005, audiences praised its emotional depth, strong performances, and powerful storytelling. But for actor Shefali Shah, the film has always held a deeper personal meaning. Years later, she is now opening up about one of the most debated aspects of the film—playing the mother of Akshay Kumar, who was not only 28 onscreen but also five years older than her in real life.

Today, Shefali Shah is widely respected as one of India’s finest actors. Her roles in Delhi Crime, Darlings, Jalsa, and Human have earned her immense recognition. But back then, she says she was still discovering herself, both as an actor and a person. Looking back, Shefali admits she did not truly have the “maturity or lived experience” to play a mother in such an emotionally heavy role.

A Role That Arrived Too Early

In a recent interview, Shefali revealed that when she was cast as Sumitra Thakur, she was only in her early 30s. Akshay Kumar was 37, and yet she was expected to play a mother battling cancer, holding her family together, and preparing her son for a life of responsibility.

Shefali explained that although the film was special, she now believes she could have delivered an even more powerful performance if she had taken on the role later in life.

She said,

“I didn’t have the maturity back then. I had not lived enough to understand the emotional weight of a mother preparing her son for the future.”

At the time, Shefali had already played motherly roles—like in Satya—so she didn’t find anything unusual about it. But as she grew older and gained more life experience, she began to reflect on how age and perspective influence an actor’s craft.

Bollywood’s Age Gap Problem

Her comments also reignite conversations about Bollywood’s long-standing issue with age inequality, especially for women.

Male stars often continue playing romantic leads well into their 40s and 50s, while women are cast as mothers at much younger ages. The same industry that paired younger actresses with older male actors also expected women to transition into “mother roles” early in their careers.

In Waqt, Amitabh Bachchan played Shefali’s husband, even though he was almost 30 years older. Meanwhile, Shefali was cast as Akshay’s mother despite the minimal age gap.

This wasn’t an isolated case. For decades, Bollywood has repeatedly done this to actresses—from Rakhee being cast as mother to her age-mates to more recent examples in modern films.

Shefali’s reflection illustrates how these choices impact actors emotionally and professionally.

Growth, Experience, and a Rediscovery of Self

Today, audiences see Shefali Shah as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers. Her characters are layered, emotionally rich, and grounded in reality.

She believes this growth is the result of life experience—something she didn’t have when she played roles much older than herself.

Shefali said that over time, after becoming a mother in real life, facing challenges, and evolving as a person, she finally understood the emotional depth required for such intense roles.

It wasn’t just about acting; it was about living.

Her journey shows that experience shapes artistry. An actor’s understanding of grief, love, loss, and responsibility deepens over time, making their work more authentic and meaningful.

What Waqt Meant to Her Career

Despite her reflections, Shefali is grateful for the impact Waqt had on her career. The film showcased her ability to hold her own among giants like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. Her emotional scenes—particularly the ones involving her illness—are still remembered by audiences.

Many fans believe she brought a quiet strength and grace to the role, even if she now feels she wasn’t emotionally ready.

Her honesty today shows confidence, humility, and artistic awareness—traits that make her one of the most admired performers in Indian cinema.

A Conversation That Inspires Change

Shefali Shah’s reflections have sparked meaningful discussions about:

the age gap in Bollywood casting

the pressure on women to play older roles early

the importance of lived experience in craft

the need for more realistic age representation in films

Her story is a reminder that even seasoned actors revisit their past roles with fresh understanding. It also highlights how the industry can evolve by valuing authenticity over stereotypes.

As Bollywood slowly embraces more realistic casting, Shefali’s voice adds weight to a conversation that has been long overdue.