Shefali Shah, star of ‘Delhi Crime 3’, recently thanked millions of viewers on Instagram for the immense love they gave her character and admitted she was initially terrified before the show was released. Since premiering on November 13, 2025, the third season has been trending globally on Netflix. Although the entire cast delivered excellent performances, Shefali’s portrayal of DIG Vartika Chaturvedi, fondly called ‘Madam Sir’, especially won hearts. Following the show’s overwhelming response, she expressed heartfelt gratitude on her official Instagram, appreciating fans and viewers for the remarkable support and affection they extended to Delhi Crime season three from across audiences.
What Did Shefali Shah Share in Her Instagram Post?
Shefali Shah is deeply grateful for the love her fans have shown toward her portrayal of ‘DIG Vartika Chaturvedi’. She expressed her appreciation to her 1.1 million Instagram followers by sharing a heartfelt note on November 21, 2025. In her message, she wrote: “I was terrified is the understatement of the century before ‘Delhi Crime 3’ dropped. I played a different side of ‘Vartika’ this time. She felt the pain and anger with equal and more intensity, but instead of showing it, she channelled it into finding the girls. All situations require one aspect that is more prevalent than others…”
Shefali Shah shared that for her character, DIG Vartika Chaturvedi, the journey was never about heroism but about steadfast perseverance and an unbreakable resolve to find the missing girls. She said Vartika is someone who lives to safeguard, protect, and deliver justice to those who need it most. What surprised many fans was Shefali’s revelation that, despite her experience and talent, she was unsure whether audiences would connect with her portrayal of Vartika in the third season. She expressed this vulnerability as she wrote, hoping that her honesty would resonate deeply with viewers and offer insight into her creative process:
“I didn’t know if this side of ‘Vartika’, without her baravado, would land. But when the show dropped and I read the reviews, I was overjoyed and weeping with relief. But then started the outpour of your love…You didn’t just watch her go through every moment, you all lived it with her and me.”
She shared that her experience in Delhi Crime 3 taught her two significant lessons: first, that many actors and industry professionals often underestimate the audience’s intelligence and sensitivity; and second, that she is incredibly fortunate to receive such immense love from her fans. She said the support has left her overwhelmed and deeply grateful. Along with her gratitude, she added that the show has humbled her in ways she can hardly put into words. “And it’s too small a word for all that I feel for you all, but just THANK YOU. I am truly blessed to have your love and blessings,” the 52-year-old added.
What Shefali Shah Said About Portraying ‘DIG Vartika Chaturvedi’
Shefali Shah’s performance in the latest Netflix show has been truly remarkable. This could only happen because of the thought and care she took in portraying her character. During a conversation with iDiva, Shefali also opened up about the responsibility that comes with playing a character like ‘DIG Vartika Chaturvedi’. She stated:
“I think first and foremost, any material which is either inspired or based on true incidents, comes with great responsibility and sensitivity to begin with. Secondly, I can answer as an actor, but the germ of it started when the script was being written. And this particular team, and the entire show, in fact, is very realistic and raw. There was nobody who was larger than life.”
