I AM VOCAL ABOUT ISSUES, BUT THAT HAS NOT IMPACTED MY WORK: RICHA

Unflinching in her honesty, Richa Chadha feels if one is telling the truth, there is no reason to be afraid to speak up, adds she doesn’t intend to hurt anyone

She has always spoken her mind about different issues. In an industry where being diplomatic seems to be the mantra for many, Richa Chadha prefers calling a spade a spade. Has this ever backfired or got in the way of her professional prospects? “I don’t think there’s been any impact professionally,” says the actor, adding, “Personally, I do feel what happens sometimes is I’m held to higher standards than others; that’s the flip side. People expect me to be that, and at times are like, ‘We didn’t expect this from you, we wanted better from you’. There is the burden of those expectations.”

Being a public figure, though, Chadha adds, has got nothing to do with it. “It’s about what they think is woke,” she says, but is quick to add that plenty have advised her to not be so vocal.

“It happens all the time. I feel what happens is, most people are so guarded in their private lives, ki kuch bol diya toh kuch ho jaayega. I simply feel that if I am telling the truth, I should not be afraid. I don’t mean bad, or intend to hurt or insult anybody,” she clarifies.

Clearly, the actor, 34, likes to take decisions without any pressure, which also reflects in her film choices, which have ranged from a quirky comedy like Fukrey (2013) to a poignant drama like Masaan (2015). Recently, she headlined the film Madam Chief Minister.

Do tags like ‘female led’ or ‘female-centric’ bother her when it comes to films? Chadha says, “I don’t think about these labels anymore. People will use them till they need to use them. Till female-centric films are more common, and are made every now and then, I think these things will continue, I don’t really feel too much about it.”

Currently, the actor is shooting for her next project, and is “excited” to be back at work. “I am outdoors, shooting in Uttarakhand. We are all in a safe place, have been living in one hotel, working together and going on set. Everyone is taking precautions (for Covid-19), and no one is venturing out. A bubble is automatically created,” she shares