Counting on the strength of the character

Amidst a busy schedule, Richa Chadda took a little time out to share her experience of acting in the film, ‘Sarbjit’, which incidentally is her third film that would be showing at Cannes Film Festival - first being in 2012, ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, then in 2015, ‘Masaan’

Actress Richa Chadda, who will be playing the role of Sarbjit’s wife in Omung Kumar’s biopic ‘Sarbjit’, says it is the soft, yet powerful portrayal that drew her to the role

The actor is excited about the film, ‘Sarbjit’, which brings forward a sister’s fight for justice for her brother convicted of terrorism and sentenced to death in Pakistan. ‘Sarbjit’ is based on the life of an Indian farmer Sarabjit Singh, who strayed into Pakistan, was convicted of terrorism and spying in Pakistan and sentenced to death.

He died following a brutal attack by fellow prisoners in a jail. “I always try and do something different. This time, I am doing something totally different in ‘Sarbjit’. I am playing a role of Sukhpreet Kaur, Sarbjit’s wife - A Punjabi housewife, who will become silent after her husband goes to jail. It is a challenging role and above all it is a biopic, so it comes with a lot of responsibility,” Richa said.

For someone who has done different roles in films like ‘Fukrey’, ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela’, the actress shares why she is drawn to this character, “I liked this character because, she is soft but strong.

She is not a very tough person, and when her husband gets locked away, it was a difficult time for her to cope in the society. She is a house wife and she has a hierarchy in the house. She is a bahu and in Punjabi village it means a lot,” she shared.

“My co-stars, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Randeep Hooda are amazing people. Earlier too, I have worked with Randeep and Aish. She is really kind and loving person,” Richa adds.

Richa turned choreographer for her own song, “Tung Luk, Tung Luk”, “Being a Punjabi I love dancing, be it any form, and bhangra and gidda are my favourite. I was excited when I heard this song for the first time, it was peppy and fun.

While shooting for the song I tried my own steps in between. To my surprise, the choreographer liked them and decided to include few steps in the dance. I had lots of fun working on it.”

Chadha feels that her life has changed after each movie and relates, “I think my life has changed after ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, because that brought me into limelight. The film that changed me as a person is ‘Masaan’. I am very attached to the movie and will always be proud of it.”

“For someone who is an outsider like me, it is difficult and we have to struggle a lot to enter film industry. Since childhood I wanted to act and I got my first break through auditions only.”

Sharing news of her future projects, she says, “I am delighted that I am part for the lead role in David Womark’s Indo-American production ‘Love Sonia’ and I am excited for the film. In Bollywood I am working on ‘Fukrey 2’.”

She concludes with her one wish that she hopes will be fulfilled soon, “Once, before I die, I want to work with Shah Rukh Khan!”

By:Askari Jaffer

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