While talking with IndianExpress.com, Richa opens about her experience working with Aishwarya, her transition from one role to the other and her admiration for Masaan director Neeraj Ghaywan.
Actress Richa Chadha has grown leaps and bounds ever since she made her screen appearance in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye in 2008. The actress, who will now be seen playing a pivotal role alongside one of the biggest names in the industry Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is well versed with the fact that the latter’s role will overshadow hers in the film.
She is all prepared for it and doesn’t mind it at all since Aishwarya has been in the industry for more than two decades. Also playing the protagonist in Cabaret, Richa was quick to transform from from one character to other even though both her characters were in contrasts with each other. (Read: Sarbjit; gives chills to Richa Chadha)
While talking with IndianExpress.com, Richa opens about her experience working with Aishwarya, her transition from one role to the other and her admiration for Masaan director Neeraj Ghaywan. (Also read: Richa Chadha contributes to Sarbjit choreography)
Q- Aishwarya has always grabbed the limelight in all her movies and the films become hers as soon as the cast is announced. How was your experience working with her?
Richa: She’s really magical, she’s amazing, generous, very dignified, peaceful woman. She guided me a lot and was very protective about me. I’m almost sad that the film is over and I won’t get to see her enough.”
Q- Did you ever feel that her screen presence might overshadow your role in the film?
Richa: But it is meant to overshadow my role in the film and that is the only way the film will work. I’m not an idiot. I’m very happy that she is playing the protagonist and the primary character, because she deserves to and she’s been around for 20 years and she’s experimenting. She totally deserves everything that comes in her way.
Q- What was the first thing that came to your mind when the movie’s script came your way and you came to know that you’d be sharing screen space with Aishwarya?
Richa: I actually thought of the film and the case being so popular and I was just happy to do it. I was so happy playing this part because I always felt that people judge her wrong because she is so beautiful. They don’t see the talent and hardwork she puts in.
Q- From playing a glamorous dancer in Cabaret to a simplton wife in Sarbjit, was it an easy transition for you?
Richa: I’ve always done different characters. I have played a silent girl in Masaan and played a very loud character in Fukrey, so I’m not walked down by transitions. But, both films are emotional in their own way. Sarbjit is emotional because of the case and all that happened, but Cabaret also is a story of a lonely woman getting oppressed and surviving through it beside all odds. So, it’s a very glamorous role but was also fun for me.”
Q- Which among both the roles was easier for you to play?
Richa: I would say the character of Sukhpreet from Sarbjit is easier to play because the story is such that the audience already feels for her, the sympathy is with her. It will be a well received character. Cabaret was difficult because I had to convey the personal struggle of this woman, but at the same time people must like her, because if they don’t like her the film won’t work.”
Q- You’ve also met Sarabjit’s wife and sister. How was it meeting them?
Richa: It was very nice, they are lovely people. They have seen a lot of pain in their life because their lives suddenly changed overnight. The wife was going through her own trauma and pain at that time. I had the script, story and the research, beyond that I didn’t want to probe, that’s very cruel.
Q- You are soon going to be seen in the sequel of Fukrey, what are you expectations from it?
Richa: The second part will be “kick-ass”. It will be amazing.
Q- How would it be to re-unite with the cast of Fukrey?
Richa: They are all very dear friends of mine and I’m very excited to work with them again.
Q- There are reports about you being cast in an international film Love Sonia which is based on human trafficking. When will the movie go on floors?
Richa: Next month.
Q- How does it feel being recognised internationally since your movie Masaan did so well at Cannes.
Richa: Masaan is the only Indian film to win two awards at Cannes. And, my director is the only Indian director to win two awards at Cannes, won a Filmfare for the best debut and the National award, so that’s a record for me. I love my director and he’s the nicest person I’ve met and I’m really happy that the film is getting limelight. It will always be on people’s favourite list.
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