Shefali Shah Celebrates 24 Years Of Monsoon Wedding With A Heartfelt Post, Notes, “I Didn’t Realise How This Film Would Become The Voice Of Many Girls”

As Monsoon Wedding turns 24 today, 30 November, Shefali Shah revisits one of the most defining roles of her career, a performance that continues to resonate across generations. Though she has delivered powerful portrayals in acclaimed projects like Satya, Dil Dhadakne Do, Delhi Crime, Jalsa, Human, and Darlings, her role as Ria in Mira Nair’s cult classic remains unforgettable.

The 2001 ensemble drama – featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Vijay Raaz, and Tillotama Shome, presented Shefali as Ria, a woman whose quiet courage and emotional depth left a deep imprint on audiences around the world. The film premiered at the Marché du Film section of the Cannes Film Festival and made history by winning the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. It later earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and grossed over $30 million internationally, cementing its global legacy.

Shefali Shah Pens A Heartfelt Note As Monsoon Wedding Turns 24

Marking the anniversary, Shefali shared a heartfelt note on social media, taking fans back to the film’s shoot — a time she described as feeling like “one big family.” She recalled days that began with group yoga sessions, followed by home-cooked breakfasts brought by Lillete Dubey, workshops with Naseeruddin Shah, and Mire Nair’s intimate, collaborative direction. Beyond the nostalgia, she reflected on how profoundly the character of Ria stayed with her long after the cameras stopped rolling.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shefali Shah (@shefalishahofficial)

She captioned her post, “Monsoon Wedding was actually like one big family coming together for a wedding. We all did group yoga in the morning, then a big breakfast that @pagliji got from her home. This was followed by a workshop by Naseer bhai, and then post lunch Mira worked with us on individual scenes. The film went on to become a cult, and it won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. What an incredible run I had thought then.”

In her post, Shefali revealed that playing Ria had been a cathartic experience, though she did not initially realise how the character would become a voice for countless women who had lived through similar trauma. Her post further read, “I didn’t realise how this film and Ria would become the voice of so many girls who had gone through it, then and till date.”

Shefali: When I Did The Film It Was A Cathartic Experience

She further noted, “When I did the film it was a cathartic experience, but I think I was focusing more on the creative process. But later from the outside, I could see her churning up the latent strength that lies in every woman. Guilt and shame is ingrained in us. She disowned it and put it on the person who was responsible for causing the damage. She shed her guilt, she repudiated shame, and stood up for herself, and along with herself, unknowingly she became a voice for all those women who had stayed silent for so long.”

She continued, “How many others got strength from Ria I don’t know, but I do know that character came to life and became more true because of all the stories of women known and unknown to me. Often I’m troubled by a question, ‘What have I done in my life that has been life-altering? I’m not a doctor or a scientist or a researcher or lawyer, activist or anyone who actually helps make others’ lives better. But what do I do? Nothing.'”

Shefali Shah Recalls Delhi Couple Praising Monsoon Wedding

One memory she shared has stayed with her for years: an encounter with an elderly couple in Delhi. Recalling that moment, Shefali wrote, “I remember years later when I was in Delhi, a very handsome elderly couple walked up to me. The gentleman very warmly appreciated my work while this beautiful, dignified, stately woman, his wife, stood silent throughout, just holding my hands. After thanking them, I was about to leave when the man told me, “She went through what Ria did. Thank you for giving her the voice and strength to talk about it after holding it in for years.””

The actress continued, “If anyone saw us, they would have seen a group of three people huddled together, tightly holding hands with tears in their eyes. Two women of different ages sharing the same silent strength. And this is the answer to my haunting question. Sometimes what I do does make a difference.”

As the film completes 24 years, the celebration is not just about its international acclaim but also about Shefali Shah’s remarkable ability to bring truth, strength, and authenticity to every character she portrays. Ria remains one of her most powerful performances and one that continues to change lives, even today.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: Rani Mukerji, Karishma Tanna To Shefali Shah, 5 Actresses Who Stepped Into The Shoes Of Police Officers Creating Their Cop Verses

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.