Richa Chadha: All those auto rides to auditions feel sweeter now

On a high after winning praise for Heeramandi, Richa says she is grateful to have made the journey from B-Town aspirant to successful actor-producer without a Godfather

Despite the mixed response to Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and her small role in it, Richa Chadha has walked away with wide praise for her portrayal of Lajjo, a lovelorn courtesan. How does the fame coming from a Sanjay Leela Bhansali creation impact an actor? “It’s too early to say if it will impact me. Currently, I have domestic issues to be taken care of. I want to hire a cook, do other home-related things,” she laughs.

Something else is right on top of her to-do list—a babymoon. Chadha and her actor-husband Ali Fazal are set to welcome their firstborn in July. For someone who has been working relentlessly, Chadha now wants to take a pause and enjoy all that’s good in her life. “I knew this character has a smaller part; yeh itne time mein aayegi aur mehfil loot ke mar jayegi. I’ve been getting a lot of love. [With the show done], I’m thinking about where I can go for a quick vacation before my travel embargo sets in. I want to take music lessons. I have been working since I was 15, I’m a workaholic. But I am more focussed on my personal life right now.”

Professionally too, things are looking up for the actor couple. While she has grabbed eyeballs with Heeramandi, Fazal began shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life last week. Does their individual success help them as they build their production house? “Both Ali and I have credibility as performers. People who want to work with us will come regardless. A success like this is a personal win. When you come to Mumbai, stay in a one-room-kitchen and start life ground up, you dream of working with Mr Bhansali. This year, I feel good things are upon us—first the Sundance [win], Heeramandi, and things with Ali. I am also grateful we didn’t have Godfathers blessing us. All those auto rides to auditions feel sweeter now.”

Their maiden production, Girls Will Be Girls, which won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival this year, is continuing its festival run. Chadha says they are drawing up its release plans. “We have to get the right deal to do a limited release. The film’s budget is R12 crore and P&A is R6 crore. We are discussing trade with consultants. As first-time producers, we have an award-winning film with us. We are learning and will decide on a release plan by the year-end.”

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