Richa Chadda: I won’t do a role like the one I did in Ram-Leela again

From her supporting role in DibakarBanerjee’sOye Lucky! Lucky Oye! to her fun and flamboyant performance in Fukrey last year, RichaChadda is among the few actors who’ve made a smooth transition from the arty to the filmi.
And she’s happy doing both choreographed dance sequences as well as serious roles. Recently, during a candid chat, Richa spoke about her “blessed” frame of mind, her devil-may-care attitude towards lead and supporting roles, masala and arthouse films.
There’s enough room for both kinds of cinema to coexist
The audience has evolved now. They have access to world cinema, courtesy the internet. So, films like Gangs of Wasseypur will work now because there are viewers who will watch these films and help popularise them. And then there are others who’re just looking for escapist entertainment. My maid would like to see Main Tera Hero, Fukrey or Ram-Leela. But she won’t watch Gangs Of Wasseypur, because usmein bahut maar kaat, gaali galoch hai. It’s because she has a hard life and she doesn’t want to see misery on screen. She would like to watch something that is light and cheery. And she’s not wrong. Having said that, I think there’s enough scope for both kinds of cinema to happily coexist. There’s no need to judge people based on the kind of films they like to watch I seriously doubt that cinema is really a vehicle for social change.
It can definitely be, if it’s used positively, but nobody starts off with that intention. I don’t know how Gangs of Wasseypur can make a social change. I don’t even think that Anurag intended to do that. For me, a movie like Swades perhaps could make people ponder over things, because even though it was a commercial film with Shah Rukh Khan in it, it compelled the NRIs to think about coming back to India and do some good. But not every film can do that. Filmmaking isn’t an easy task. If you make a great film and no one watches it, then it’s a failure. And if you make a mindless movie and everyone watches it, and then forgets about it, to me, that’s again a failure. But yes, the masala films are made for the audiences, who take their three kids, parents, grandparents and go, ‘Hahaha! A man in a monkey costume, so funny!’
READ: ​Why is Richa Chadda angry?
It’s entertainment for them and they are happy, so why should we be judgmental about them? I won’t do a role like the one i did in Ram-Leela again. I wanted to work with Sanjay LeelaBhansalisahab. That’s the only film that I did without reading the script. I won’t say I regret it because I got to be part of something interesting, but I don’t know if I would have done it today. I don’t think the character was designed to have that less screen time or importance initially. Rasila was an interesting and layered character, but eventually a lot of things changed with the film and the way it was structured. I don’t think I would do a role like that today. I think I did that role because I knew then that there were a couple of lead roles in the making.
I don’t understand why everyone else is so angsty I feel really lucky to be here and to be doing what I am doing now. I don’t think I would’ve even had a career 5-10 years ago. We were interacting with some actresses from back in the day and how they weren’t even considered a part of the process then. I felt bad for them. And here I am, getting to do all sorts of films. I have no reason to complain. But that’s just me. I think no one else is ever happy in our business. Whether it’s RandeepHooda talking about Highway or Nawaz about not getting his due. I don’t get why anyone has to be angsty. Everyone has to go through this struggle. Shah Rukh Khan did it. He started from Delhi and struggled to reach where he is now. And he’s always so positive and charming. Waisahonabantahaina. What’s the point of all the anger? Only I am genuinely, really happy and I feel blessed. I have confidence in me. I am not going to doubt myself. I am going to get there. I am sure.
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Parties mein jaane se films nahi milti I go out once in a while. I have less friends in Mumbai, but I do go out. As far as the Bollywood parties are concerned, I am not that involved. I went to Deepika’s party, which she hosted in celebration of the great year she had. She texted me and I went. I don’t think too much. I go when I want to go. Party mein jaane se kaam nahi milta hai waise. It’s not like you’ll go to a party and you’ll get work. Anurag goes to almost every party while Dibakar doesn’t go anywhere. Does it make a difference? Both of them continue to make good films.
Dating shahid kapoor? what rubbish! I am not bothered about these link-up rumours. I know how it started with a single picture from an awards show party. But that’s it. I never said anything in the first place, so why should I go about defending myself now?
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