Richa Chadda Exclusive Interview 2025: On Marriage, Motherhood, Acting, Heeramandi, and Her Bold Comeback

Accomplished actor Richa Chadda on her marriage, motherhood, Bollywood and imminent return to the camera and lights, in a freewheeling conversation with Khalid Mohamed
Acclaimed Bollywood actor Richa Chadda opens up in a no-holds-barred conversation with Khalid Mohamed about motherhood, marriage to Ali Fazal, her post-partum journey, and a long-anticipated return to acting. Known for powerful roles in Masaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Madam Chief Minister, Richa shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Heeramandi, her transition into production with Girls Will Be Girls, and why the film bypassed Indian theatres. She candidly addresses industry toxicity, her political voice on social media, and whether she's finally integrated into Bollywood’s clique. From training under Barry John and Adishakti to portraying the unforgettable Bholi Punjaban in Fukrey, Chadda remains refreshingly honest about fame, artistry, and personal growth. As Girls Will Be Girls garners global acclaim and her studio announces new projects, Richa Chadda proves she’s more than just a performer—she’s a force redefining Indian cinema from within.

Since last year, her name hasn’t been announced for any upcoming project, be it a feature film or web series. Since Richa Chadda is an actor whose potential hasn’t been quite fully tapped yet – ever since she debuted in Dibakar Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008) – I couldn’t help being curious: Was she on a prolonged hiatus? Was she focusing on her production company Pushing Buttons Studios?
Married to actor Ali Fazal, their daughter Zunayra was born a year ago. Being out of sight is out of the big picture – sparking this interview with Richa Chadda. Her answers were as spontaneous and precise as her performances in a filmography at a count of approximately 25:

On the recess after the lavish Sanjay Leela Bhansali web series Heeramandi.

To be absolutely candid, while my pregnancy was fairly uncomplicated and my delivery was smooth too, I had no idea that the post-partum phase would be so demanding. But it’s not as if I’m doing the disappearing trick. I have signed a project, which I can’t disclose right now, and will be back on the sets in October 2025.
On accepting a relatively brief role in Heeramandi than the other female actors.

For an actor like me, who has been known for serious parts that are often not glamorous, I was always told by my peers that I am not a “song and dance actress”. I'm sure they meant it as a compliment. Still, it struck me as odd. Although I was initially offered another role in the show, I chose to portray Lajjo.

Firstly, I had never done anything so tragic or powerless. Second, because the part also had a dance set-piece (Masoom Dil Hai Mera) with the great Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which had always been on my bucket list. It had the added challenge of dancing while playing drunk. To play drunk is by itself quite daunting. I tried to own the character of Lajjo to understand my own range as a performer.

On her trickiest role so far, be it Masaan, Cabaret or Shakeela.

I wouldn’t say trickiest, but the most complex roles I have played would definitely be those in Masaan, Gangs of Wasseypur and Madam Chief Minister. Since Cabaret was never released in cinemas, there was no question of it being a performance worthy of praise or criticism.

When we are younger, we women are often pushovers. My manager at the time really pushed me to do Cabaret and I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into.

In retrospect, I DON’T THINK I WAS RIGHT FOR THE ROLE (sir, I don’t wish to apologise to a very toxic producer).

On why the biopic of Shakeela – the ‘adult movie actor’ of the South on the lines of the Silk Smita biopic The Dirty Picture – went by practically unnoticed.

Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience on that one with the director. So my conscience prevented me from promoting the film.
On training with the widely revered Barry John and the workshop at the Adishakti group in Puducherry, preparing her for her theatre and cinema.

For sure, both these experiences have been instrumental in my growth. I was cast in the play Kennedy Bridge, adapted from a true story, in which I had to evolve from a 20-something courtesan to a 60-year-cynical woman in a span of 100 minutes.

Little did I know that the rigorous stage training would prepare me to relive the rapidly ageing Nagma in Gangs of Wasseypur. I will always be indebted for this performance to Veenapani Chawla of Adishakti. Unfortunately, she is no more… how I wish I could have expressed my gratitude to her personally.

On her marriage to Ali Fazal and parenthood catalysing changes within her personality?

I would like to imagine that marriage and parenting have made me more patient, compassionate, stronger and more discerning.
On the influence of her parents and siblings, plus the initial adaptation from St. Stephen’s College to the tough and diverse city of Mumbai.

My parents and siblings are a continuing influence in my life. Dad has a management firm and my mother has been a University professor in Political Science. Growing up in Delhi as a sister to four brothers really shaped me as the artist I am today.

Often, Mumbai would be a jolt to the system after spending three years in the lush green University campus at St. Stephen's College. But the blow wasn’t too difficult because I had started out living in the hostel of Sophia College in South Mumbai.

Mumbaikars possess an unbelievable amount of tolerance and patience. What else explains why the roads and the traffic infrastructure continue to be so dismal? Yet, I love this city and in my own way I have committed myself to making it a better, humane place.

On being apprehensive about playing the brash, wily Bholi Punjaban in the Fukrey franchise.

Right, I was extremely apprehensive. Bholi Punjaban was a risk-taker because it immediately blocked me from being seen as a pliant, submissive woman. Also, when you play someone as abrasive, no one is likely to offer me the endorsement of a beauty brand. No big deal, that’s been a small price to pay.

On being compelled—whether she would opt for a Gangs of Wasseypur and Masaan over Fukrey and a supporting appearance in Bajirao Mastani today.

Ideally, I would not choose, I would do both independent and mainstream cinema. I owe my career to independent films, and I owe my sustenance to commercial cinema.

On a method to prepare for a role.

I do my preparation by creating a detailed backstory of a character, including where she grew up and what language she speaks at home. Is she middle class? Did she go to an English medium school? For me, it’s crucial to first flesh out the ‘person’ in the mind. And then the performance flows.

On her production company Pushing Buttons Studios, which has announced six more projects after the globally feted feature film Girls Will Be Girls.

The decision to start this little production studio happened during the Covid lockdown when we all had loads of time. I also feel as artists we can't take full control of any story. I was craving for more creative agency.

On why Girls Will Be Girls, which won an armful of international awards including at the Sundance Festival, wasn’t released at the cinemas at home.

I was certain that the film would be a direct-to-digital release. If we had gone to the cinema halls, we would have found too small a number of screens anyway. So I was delighted when it found a home on Amazon Prime.

On the casting of actors of Girls Will Be Girls.
Yes, many people were auditioned and we found that both Preeti Panigrahi, a fresher, and Kani Kusruti of Malayalam and Tamil cinema were excellent actors. The casting was done by the (HE IS ALIVE hahaha) Dilip Shankar, who is one of the best casting agents, if not the best this country has to offer.
On her regular socially concerned tweets which suggest that she could join politics someday.

Not in the least. I’m every woman. I feel I have a right to voice my opinions because I vote here. I pay taxes here. I know it's natural to assume that actors who are vocal will want to be in politics because many of my colleagues have taken that route – but that’s a big no-no for me. I think I will be more valuable outside the system. We are a democracy and will continue to speak up till it is declared otherwise.
On whether she has integrated into the Bollywood system, where co-stars can get footage edited and there is little or no solidarity.

I have met incredibly kind people and also completely mental, banana cases. So I can't generalise. While A-list stars and strangers too have stood up for me in rooms I haven't been a part of, I have been backstabbed by so-called ‘friends’. I feel at home anywhere. I don’t need to belong, I belong to myself and I’m comfortable with my own self.

On anything she would like to add?
Make love, make art, make peace… not war.