5th July 2023,Mumbai: Richa Chadha, who together with Ali Fazal has transitioned to become a producer, recently discussed the importance of upholding equality on the set of their debut project. “We didn’t make any distinctions between who stays in a good hotel and who stays in a terrible hotel. Ali and I both stayed at the same place as everyone else did. People could then comprehend that we are not being overly dramatic. Second, we provided a tonne of room for the performers, whether they were only there for a day or two, or if they were the leads and required a workshop or some quiet time”, says Richa.
“Because we are actors ourselves, we could empathise,” the Fukrey actress continues. “We could also comprehend how discrimination on the set would affect people’s spirits. Since it already occurred with us at first, one will receive a vanity that can be shared by three people, while the other will have a single door. And the most important factor is comfort, not style.
”Has she ever experienced this prejudice as well? “It has occurred numerous times. In fact, there was a moment on my first movie when I felt awful. I arrived directly from college to perform in a scene of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye , and I had fever of 103–104. I’ve been told that someone will arrive later. Until then, I can use this specific vanity van, and I’ll be shooting all day anyway. As I prepared to leave, someone arrived and flung all of my belongings into the air”, remembers Richa Chadha.
“I looked at how terrible it was,” she continues. “I didn’t have my own makeup or hair products; instead, the firm owned them. I felt terrible because they hurled the things and someone’s mirror cracked and their lipstick was destroyed. How is this even possible? I have privilege, but I don’t think it’s silly that others won’t spend money on something that’s their daily investment, it’s their daily bread and butter. These things do happen, but you can’t do this with someone. Thankfully, I believe that social media and the fact that every phone has a camera has made people more conscious of these issues, but tragically, they still occur. Those who act in such a manner are unka phir hota kuch nahin hai. In my experience, it isn’t karma or another such thing. However, Punjabis are kind and giving people, thus I don’t agree with it.”
-by Kashvi Gala