One of the finest performers of her generation, Richa Chadha is known and celebrated for her powerful performances and versatile roles. Over the years, she has carved a niche for herself with her bold choices and ability to bring depth to her characters in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “Fukrey,” “Masaan,” “Sarabjit,” “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela,” “Section 375,” “Heeramandi,” and many more.
Early Life
Richa Chadha was born on December 18, 1986, in Amritsar, Punjab. Her father, Somesh Chaddha, is a Punjabi while her mother, Kusum Lata is from Bihar. Her father owns a management firm, and her mother is a professor of political science at PGDAV College of Delhi University. Richa was educated at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya and later graduated from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi.
Richa Chadha began her career as a model. She transitioned to theatre, performing in plays under the guidance of Barry John. For a brief time, she worked as a writer for a magazine. In 2006, she wrote and directed a documentary film called “Rooted in Hope.”
Debut and Breakthrough
Her acting debut came with a small role in the comedy film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), directed by Dibakar Banerjee. Richa’s breakthrough role came in Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama “Gangs of Wasseypur (2012),” where she portrayed Nagma Khatoon, the foul-tongued wife of Sardar Khan, played by Manoj Bajpeyi, and mother to Faijal Khan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In real life, she is 12 years younger than Siddiqui. Her performance earned her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress and established her as a formidable talent in the industry.
One of her other memorable characters, “Bholi Punjaban,” came in a coming-of-age comedy directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, “Fukrey (2013).” In the film, Richa played the fan-favourite role of a tough-talking female don. She gets immense praise for her performance as the foul mouth, over the top gangster. The film’s success led to sequels, Fukrey Returns (2017) and Fukrey 3 (2023), where she reprised her role.
Richa Chadha The Performer
Richa’s role as Devi Pathak in the critically acclaimed drama “Masaan (2015),” established her as a seasoned performer. In the film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, she starred with Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi, and Sanjay Mishra. Set in Varanasi, it explores themes of societal expectations, personal tragedies, and caste discrimination. It also touched upon the issue of moral policing, and the quest for personal freedom.
“Masaan” premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It won two prestigious awards: the FIPRESCI Prize and the Promising Future Prize (Prix de l’Avenir). The film’s success at Cannes catapulted it to international recognition, and it was subsequently screened at various film festivals worldwide.
Since its release, “Masaan” has achieved cult status and continues to be celebrated for its artistic merit and social relevance. It stands as a proof of the power of independent cinema in addressing pressing societal issues and telling compelling human stories.
Richa then acted in a number of important films, such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), a biographical drama Sarbjit (2016), Jayant Gilatar’s Chalk n Duster (29016), Howard Rosemeyer’s Jia Aur Jia (2017), Sudhir Mishra’s Daas Dev (2018), Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s Panga (2020), Pushpendra Nath Mishra’s Ghoomketu (2020), and many more.
Later Work
In Ajay Bahl’s courtroom drama, “Section 375 (2019),” Richa played the role of Hiral Gandhi, a public prosecutor. Her powerful performance highlighted the complexities of the legal system and the issue of consent.
Richa portrayed Tara Roopram, a woman who rises against all odds to lead her state in Subhash Kapoor’s “Madam Chief Minister (2021).” Her performance was both raw and inspiring, capturing the determination and complexity of a leader navigating power, politics, and prejudice.
Some of her other films include 3 Storeys (2018), Love Sonia (2018), Ishqeria (2018), Cabaret (2019), Shakeela (2020), Ghoomketu (2020), Lahore Confidential (2021), and many more.
Richa made her OTT debut in 2014 with a cameo in the Netflix series “24.” Her first lead role on OTT came with the Amazon Prime Video series”Inside Edge (2017-2021), where she starred as Zarina Malik. The series delves into the world of cricket and the dark underbelly of cricket betting. Her portrayal of a strong, ambitious woman earned her widespread acclaim.
In 2024, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi (2024). In this visually stunning Netflix series set against the backdrop of British-ruled India, Richa played Lajjo, a beloved courtesan. Her performance brought depth, grace, and intensity to the character, making it one of her most celebrated roles.
Some of her other web series include Candy (2021), The Great Indian Murder (2022), and Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley (2022).
Personal Life
On the personal front, Richa Chadha married renowned actor Ali Fazal in 2022. Chadha and Fazal welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Zuneriya, on 16 July 2024.
Richa Chaddha’s ability to portray diverse characters with authenticity and depth has made her one of the most respected actresses in the industry.
Richa Chadha on IMDB
