Actress and producer Richa Chadha recently spoke about a difficult phase from the start of her career, a time when she realised that not everyone in the industry has your best interests at heart.
Looking back, she admitted that she had to learn this lesson the hard way. Without naming anyone, she revealed that a person she deeply trusted had worked against her at an important stage in her journey.
A hard lesson in the early days
“I had to learn very early on that everyone isn’t looking out for you,” she said, adding that she was naive at the time.
“People Feel Threatened”
Richa explained that competition in the industry can sometimes turn personal. According to her, even a small sense of insecurity can make people act unfairly.
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“That was me being naive. So many feel threatened even by a margin and absolutely do not want you to outdo them or take away their shine or spotlight.”
This very experience was quite disturbing for me. But one has to learn the hard way and learn to guard their own choices,” she shared.
The experience disturbed her, but it also made her stronger and more careful about her choices. She now believes that guarding your decisions and trusting your instincts is necessary to survive in showbiz.
A message for Indie filmmakers
Richa also addressed a common perception about her, that she might be difficult to approach. “There’s this idea that actors like me shouldn’t be approached by indie filmmakers. That’s not true at all,” she clarified.
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For her, the only thing that matters is strong writing and meaningful stories. “Personally for me as an actor, I only care for good scripts, earnest writing, and what the impact or meaning of the story and role is.”
“I always want to be part of the right kind of stories.” she said.
A new chapter
On the work front, Richa is stepping into a new space with a non-fiction series focused on travel and culture across India.
The show will explore different communities, traditions, and real-life stories from across the country. She says the project comes from a place of curiosity and empathy.
The series promises to highlight both familiar and lesser-known narratives, offering viewers a fresh way to see India’s cultural richness. More details about the format and platform will be announced soon.
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