“Dancing” for the rest of my life...
My love for acting started with dancing.
I grew up watching Indian cinema, Bollywood movies, and loved the idea of dancing for the rest of my life. When I was three years old, my family went to a trip that involved many people singing and dancing, while a few people played some drums. I heard the drums and ran towards them. I began dancing to the music. My dad joined me, and soon everyone else- family and strangers- got involved. Somewhere along the way, this morphed into a passion for acting.
HEY, I’M SHAIFALI…
My family immigrated to the US and I threw myself into becoming a *Hollywood* actress. In a nutshell, my journey in Hollywood forced me to become a more complete version of myself. A version where I am driven, passionate, and an eternal optimistic who confidently knows that believing and investing in yourself creates magic. The magic of cinema. The magic of happy endings. The magic of love, inspiration and pursuing your dreams. The magic of doing the impossible.
My first SAG job was working on a national commercial, directed by Christopher Guest! I’ve been lucky to perform roles depicting ‘real-life women’ including a ruthless and unforgiving female terrorist, an Indian American wife of an African American Comedian, and an immigrant professor standing up to discrimination in her own unique way.
On Stage, one of my favorite roles remains Ms. Orange (an undercover cop, played brilliantly on screen by Tim Roth!) in an All-Female Adaptation of Reservoir Dogs.
I’ve even booked a handful of delightful comedy Co-Stars on TV. My first big feature was as the second lead in Killer Punjabi produced by Kailey Rav, starring Bollywood star Pooja Batra, playing her best friend.
I’ve studied acting with pros like Amy Lyndon, Margie Haber and Ivana Chubbuck. My favorite mentor, Tasha Smith, taught Ivana Chubbuck - who’s own personal journey has inspired me to go deep into my own soul and lay my truth bare. I am, however, primarily a self-taught actor. Through trials and tribulations, I’ve educated myself enough to rely on my instinct and my technique to come up with a performance that rings true.
I am also proud to say that I am fluent in Hindi & Punjabi and Pakistani Urdu, and currently learning Spanish. I love the idea of being a global citizen!
I have no idea what my work will bring to this world. I do know I’ll be an instrument of good.
As Nelson Mandela said,“as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
I was rescued by the dance and by the cinema.
Perhaps my work will inspire another young girl out there. And she will follow the drums. She, too, will dance. I’d like the whole world to dance with me. I wish to be one who moves to the music of the spheres as I move forward in my career as an actor. I wish to “dance” for the rest of my life.