It’s almost as if Shefali Shah can take no misstep in 2022. After brilliant performances in Human and Jalsa, the actor is currently basking in the praise coming her way for Darlings. And she is not done yet. Next week, she will be seen reprising her role of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in the second season of Delhi Crime — a series that was a game-changer for her. “When Delhi Crime released, Vartika became larger than life. I hadn’t expected that. So, when I am stepping into her shoes again, it’s scary as sh*t,” she begins.

Taking forward a show that won the Best Drama Series at the 2020 International Emmy Awards isn’t easy. The audience’s expectations from the second instalment, which sees showrunner Tanuj Chopra pick up the baton from Richie Mehta, are understandably sky-high. “The first season was about a case that shook the entire nation, and people across the globe. The two seasons are made by different creators and directors. It’s unfair to compare the editions. We decided to go out and make a kicka** show; we did not try to [emulate] the first season,” she explains.