Richa Chadda is on a high as she has taken the Cannes by storm and is set to come out with Fukrey 2. She gets candid about being a woman in the industry and more. Excerpts follow...
You were recently a part of an AIB show on harassment of women. Did you personally go through any kind of harassment?
I think every woman has gone through some kind of harassment. Professionally, my boundaries are pretty clear, and I don’t think anyone messes with me.
What is it about people’s behaviour towards women that annoy you the most?
I get annoyed at little things. The other day, I was having breakfast with a male friend in a posh resort. The waiter kept asking the male all the questions. Not once did he think the woman should be asked for the feedback. The waiter presumed that the guy was going to pay the bill and women were just meant to casually adjust to whatever is served to them. He treated me like a second class citizen because I am a woman. How are you going to teach people when they don’t know that they’re making a mistake? If I call up the hotel, what do I complain about?
What can women should do to make men realise they’re being sexist?
This mentality can only be changed when you make people realise they are making a mistake and you call them out on it. You have to change it slowly.
What is the place of a woman in films today?
The place of a woman in films is definitely changing but whats happening is that all the top superstars have had decades to build their market in India, while a woman doesn’t even get 10 year span. The structure of the film industry is such that most of the distributors and producers favour men. There have been a few improvements and there are films being made with women as the protagonists, and some are even doing well at the box office. There are still improvements yet to be made. Sexism is global, and not just limited to India.
Which women’s issue should be addressed immediately?
There are several issues, and I look at them as a humanitarian problem not as women’s issues. We should stop using that term. If we keep saying “women’s problems” it’s never going to change.
You have performed in different roles...which is closest to you?
I don’t think I can relate to any one of them! But my favourite film and my most special role is Devi in Masaan.
Your film Cabaret has gone through a lot of difficulty... is there any update when the film will release?
That is a question you should ask the producer. We had a tiff but I have nothing to do with it. I just get my work done.
Apart from Fukrey 2...what else are you working on?
I’ve finished five projects this year and have more lined up for the next. I really want a break. I need two months off!