If there is one word that captures the essence of actress Richa Chadha, it is audacious! Whether it is the fearless roles she takes on or the bold opinions she shares on social issues, Richa is a force to be reckoned with—both on-screen and off-screen. In an industry often defined by formulas, Richa is one of those rare breeds of actors who thrives in both indie gems and mainstream entertainers, dazzling audiences with her remarkable versatility. From the sharp-tongued Nagma Khatoon in Gangs of Wasseypur and the unapologetic Bholi Punjaban in Fukrey to the heart-wrenching Devi in Masaan and the lovestruck courtesan Lajjo in Heeramandi, Richa’s power-packed performances not only showcase her range, but they set the bar higher every time, leaving the audiences craving for more.
In a true multifaceted style, Richa is currently juggling an impressive lineup of roles—not only as an actress but also as a producer, wife, mother, and doting pet parent. Amid her packed schedule, we caught up with this feisty actress in a candid moment—midway between rushing a sick dog to the vet and prepping for her daughter’s first Diwali celebration—to chat about her journey in Bollywood, her newly embraced role as a mother, festive plans, and her take on why a firecracker-free Diwali is the best kind of Diwali!
As Diwali approaches, how do you plan to celebrate the festival? Do you follow any specific traditions or rituals each year?
Diwali holds a lot of meaning for me; it is a special time of the year, and I always look forward to spending it with my family. Our annual ritual includes thoroughly cleaning our home to clear out the clutter, donating items we no longer use, and feeding the less privileged and this year will be no different.
This Diwali is going to be extra special for you, isn’t it? It will be your daughter’s first Diwali!
Yes, absolutely! Her first Diwali is a special one for us. We will dress her in new clothes, perform a small puja at home, and spend quality time with family and friends.
Speaking of your daughter, do you have any cherished Diwali memories from your childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories is attending the Lakshmi Poojan celebration at my uncle’s establishment. All the kids in the family would dress up and gather for the puja—it was a very special time. Those moments, filled with love and light, will always remain close to my heart.
Food is a big part of Diwali. What is your go-to indulgence during the festive season?
There is so much food around Diwali that it is difficult to pick, but I guess my all-time favorite indulgence has to be homemade aloo puri.
Diwali is often referred to as the festival of lights. What does the festival signify to you personally?
For me, the true essence of Diwali lies in the simplicity, it is the mitti ke diye, the traditional earthen lamps. I think the most beautiful way to celebrate Diwali is to buy mitti ke diye from local vendors, buy ghee and cotton, and then light these lamps around the house. It’s the most pretty, peaceful, yet powerful way of celebrating the festival. Diwali is also that time of year when everyone meets their family, no matter how far they stay, and spending time with each other makes the festival even more special.
While Diwali signifies togetherness to you, what message would you like to share with your fans and audience for Diwali?
My message is to celebrate Diwali in the most traditional way possible—like in the olden days. The Diwali celebrated in Ayodhya thousands of years ago was not celebrated with firecrackers. It was celebrated with simple lights, diyas, and rangolis around the house. On the day of Diwali, Lakshmi is set to visit the houses of people whose lights are the brightest, and I think we should focus on illuminating our homes and our lives from within rather than spending money on crackers and burning cash for a few moments of pleasure. Eventually, what we have to deal with for the next few days is horrible air quality, which is harmful to little children, the elderly, and those who suffer from asthma and other health issues. So, let’s avoid creating noise and air pollution and instead focus on spreading happiness, sharing joy with others, and doing good deeds and charity.
On the topic of light, your performance in Heeramandi was nothing short of luminous—It was a delight to watch you portray Lajjo. As with many of your roles, this character was layered and complex, yet you portrayed it with such conviction and ease. What is your process for delving into such multifaceted roles?
For Heeramandi, a key part of my preparation was studying Meena Kumari’s voice—there's so much pain in her voice, and I tried to channel that into my performance. As for physical preparation, I returned to Kathak, which I learned as a child but hadn’t practiced in years. Beyond the physical training, I also focused on the character's emotional depth. Lajjo was abandoned as a child, so I tapped into feelings of loneliness and a deep yearning for belonging. That desperation and sadness, helped me connect with her vulnerability. I think that’s what resonated with audiences, too. Lajjo feels like a lost soul, and you can't help but feel for her.
You have an impressive career, starting from Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! to Heeramandi, portraying various diverse and challenging roles. What has been the most rewarding part of your acting journey so far?
It’s hard to say what is rewarding and what is not because there are very obvious rewards of acting or being in Bollywood—fame, awards, and financial success. But for me, the most fulfilling aspect has been the connection I have formed with audiences. As someone born and raised in India, I love it when I receive feedback from Indian women, or it means a lot to me when people tell me they see parts of themselves in my characters and can relate to them. It happened to me after Masaan, after Gangs Of Wasseypur, and children really loved me in Fukrey. Now, I’d say many women feel deeply connected with Lajjo’s pain, and a lot of people from the LGBTQ+ community also feel connected with her because they understand this one-sided love. So, love and recognition from the audience are incredibly rewarding. I always aim to humanize the roles I take on, even in smaller films like Love Sonia, which is about human trafficking, or Section 375, where I portray a very upright, moral feminist lawyer who is taken for a ride. Whether or not these films succeed at the box office, I feel a sense of achievement in experimenting with different accents, voices, and character nuances. That truly excites me—challenging myself with something new every time. And that makes me happy as a performer.
From Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Gangs of Wasseypur to your latest projects, how do you think your approach to acting has evolved over the years?
I think the most significant shift comes from life experiences. As you go through things like pain, loss, heartbreak, or even moments of joy—these experiences shape your craft. I haven’t acted since I became a mother, and now I’m curious to see how this profound change in my life affects my emotional depth as an actor. Motherhood is the purest, most unconditional form of love, so I’m waiting to explore how that influences my approach to characters. After all, acting is all about conveying the truth through your own experiences, allowing the audience to feel the life you have lived. So, I guess my approach evolves as I go through different stages in life.
Talking about becoming a mom, motherhood brings a whole new perspective to life. How has becoming a mother impacted your career choices?
I have always been conscious of the roles I take on, and I think motherhood will only deepen that awareness. Now, I'll be more careful about what I’m doing. It won’t limit my choices, but I will be more mindful of my work and the message I send through my roles. I will be more mindful of the impact my work has—what kind of world we are shaping and what values I’m contributing to. People often ask this question, assuming it is about whether I will still take on love stories or bold scenes, but for me, it is less about those specifics and more about the bigger picture.
How has life changed since embracing motherhood?
Life has definitely changed, in that I now carry the responsibility of caring for another human being, and this responsibility can be quite overwhelming at times. However, I’ve learned to adapt to my baby’s needs and demands, which is a significant change.
While there have been many personal changes, you have also taken up a new role on the work front, producing Girls Will Be Girls. Can you tell us more about this project?
The director of the film (Shuchi Talati) and I are longtime friends; we went to college together. And we both wanted to create something meaningful. She is exceptionally gifted and wrote a film that garnered recognition at several script labs. It became like a real winner, even at that early stage. And that gave us a lot of confidence to move forward. We focused on assembling a team of like-minded individuals who shared our vision. The film has already received global awards and will soon be released in India. I’m excited to see how Indian audiences will respond to it.
Are there any other upcoming projects you are excited about? We heard about Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, which is set to release next year. Please share more about it.
Yes, Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai is there. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha, and we’ve completed the film shoot, but I’m not sure of the release date yet. But yeah, I will get back to work soon. I need to give my body and my mind some time. Plus, I need to figure out how I can cope with my baby's feeding schedule, how much travel I can accommodate, etc. Once I find that balance, I’m ready to dive back into projects.
Lastly, as someone who is constantly in the public eye, how do you nurture your mental health and well-being amidst the chaos of the industry?
I think the key for me is not taking fame too seriously. I understand it comes with the profession, but I don’t let it define me. You could be winning global awards, but acting by nature puts you in the public eye more than most professions. So, I rely on simple, consistent practices like meditation. It has to be a constant, not a one-time fix—you can’t just go to a yoga or meditation camp and expect your life to change. It’s a daily commitment and essential for everyone, not just actors, especially in today's high-stress environment. Our lives have been invaded by gadgets and technology, and it is easy to feel isolated now. Earlier, there used to be a sense of community. Take motherhood, for instance. Had I been living a hundred years ago, in some small town or village, I would’ve been surrounded by a network of mothers— not just my mother, but women in the family and community—offering guidance on everything from breastfeeding to postpartum care. That wealth of shared knowledge has diminished in modern life, and that isolation adds to our stress. When you look at the bigger picture—how our cities are structured, the stress of public transport, the food we eat—it’s clear that we’re navigating many challenges that humans didn’t have to deal with for most of our existence. So, it’s essential to recognize these shifts and ensure care for our mental health in this fast-paced world.
On that note, we sum up this interview with this firebrand actress. May her light continue to shine brightly, both in her performances and life. Happy Diwali!
COVER CREDITS:
Photographer - Harry Rajput
Hair & Makeup - Harry Rajput