Self-censorship is a must for Richa
Having done shows on digital platforms, Richa Chadha believes that today the web space has paved way for content to go through a change and witness a surge. The actor feels assured that her decision to do an original series and play a character would be a long term commitment, which, she says, will pay off. She believes that since stories are the prime focus now, it is imperative that producers and makers hire talented actors who can live up to the character.
She says, “The industry is becoming a level playing field. While the power dynamics still remain intact, it is eventually talent which is being celebrated over where they come from and who is backing them. I am happy that a lot of incredible and underrated actors are finding work in digital series. This is a welcome change.”
The Section 375 actor shares that while the space has no restrictions and is liberating for makers, “there should be some amount of selfcensorship as far as unnecessary violence and sex is concerned”. She elaborates, “Even without a law being passed, a lot of platforms are already self-censoring. They are listening to the government’s diktat about how communities ought to be portrayed. Whether we like it or not, it is already happening without any formal announcement. In order to tell a story, if one is forced to exploit the freedom of the digital medium, then the intent of the creator or the maker comes into play.”
For Richa, what makes the medium stand out is its balanced representation of all genders. “More nuanced characters are being written for both women and men in the digital space. There is also an explosion in the portrayal of LGBTQIA+ community. I hope we are able to retain the nuance in the narrative,” she concludes.