Richa Chadda is always known to speak her mind. For someone who has never shied away from calling a spade a spade, the Delhi girl has been vocal on matters related to current affairs, social and political state of the country. Meanwhile, when it comes to her acting assignments, she’s going great guns with at least five major films set to the hit the screens this year – Main Aur Charles, Aur Devdas, Jia aur Jia, Ghoomketu and Mr. Chalu. Here’s an excerpt from the interview.
You’ve always had great and diverse roles to boast of, you must be happy not getting slotted.
I had to work hard not to get slotted. After Gangs of Wasseypur, I was primarily getting rustic characters to play. Then after Fukrey, I was getting these ‘Bholi‘ type of characters. I had to consciously say no to scripts like that. It happens in all kinds of cinema – if you are good at something, you keep getting similar assignments. I really try to keep diversifying myself. I never feel bad about refusing bad films though. I am willing to wait as good films do take a while to come. It is okay, one has to resist the temptation. It is due to this very reason that now I have close to half a dozen very interesting films lined up.
Was it tough though to reach this point?
I guess I have sort of understood the industry today. I am still trying to build my own market though in such a way that people out there don’t look at me someone replaceable. I want a steady career where I can feel good about the work that I do. I want to be understood pan-India as an actor. I know that what I am trying to attempt is something really tough. It may seem that I am sounding pompous. But then I am not letting my guard down. Perhaps the change won’t come in my lifetime but at least when people write about Hindi films 50 years from now, I would find a mention that I tried at least.
Yes indeed, lady!