Q&A WITH RICHA CHADHA

Richa Chadha has never shied away from taking a political stand. In Madam Chief Minister, now playing in theatres, her character challenges norms, much like the actor herself

Q. Madam Chief Minister continues to show you have an affinity to play rebels…

I played a quiet rebel in Masaan, a loud one in Gangs of Wasseypur and one in defiance of law in the Fukrey films. Tara is, by far, the most interesting one I have played. The character spoke to me. She is an underdog, munhphat [voluble] and shuns the tropes associated with her gender. Her going from being an oddball to being the CM was fun to do.

Q. There is already speculation on which real-life politician she is based on…

The film is full of anecdotes which will remind you of real incidents. Subhash Kapoor [the filmmaker] has taken elements from the lives of seven to eight male and female politicians and fictionalised them to create this character. That freedom should be there. I can understand people will try to relate it to one person, but it is really not any one person.

Q. You are socio-politically aware and candid about your views, too. Does it inform the artist you are?

I wasn’t until I was maybe 25. Politics didn’t affect me at all. I thought I will live like some hippie on a hill. I regarded all politics with disgust and suspicion. But then things change. Being vocal is essential for the idea of justice and freedom of expression in a democracy. As an actor, I derive a lot of inspiration from real life. It helped in the making of this film.

Q. You were among the first to see promise in digital. You did Inside Edge. Now everyone is embracing the medium...

When I did Inside Edge, people said it’s a demotion. My parents grew up in the era of good TV, but our options were either a saas bahu serial or something with a snake. My generation can’t relate to any of it. OTT, I knew, would bridge the gap.