Mumbai, February 17 – Actress-producer Richa Chadha has spoken about an instance of professional sabotage early in her career, involving someone she deeply trusted, and said that she learned at the early stages of her career that not everyone is "looking out for you."
Speaking openly about her journey, Richa encouraged independent creators not to hesitate when reaching out.
"There's sometimes a perception that actors like me shouldn't be approached by independent filmmakers. There's an assumption that it's difficult to approach us. But that's not the case."
The actress added: "Personally, as an actor, I only care about good scripts, earnest writing, and the impact or meaning of the story and role. I always want to be a part of the right kind of stories," she said.
Richa also shared about being undermined during her early years in the industry.
Without naming names, she revealed that someone she trusted implicitly had worked against her interests at a crucial stage.
The actress added, "Given this perception of reservations by filmmakers, I clearly remember that at the very start of my career, I had to learn the hard lesson that not everyone is looking out for you."
"That was me being naive. Many feel threatened even by a small margin and absolutely don't want you to surpass them or take away their spotlight. This experience was quite disturbing for me. But one has to learn the hard way and learn to protect their own choices," she shared.
On the work front, the actress is taking on a new venture, a non-fiction series that delves into travel, culture, and the stories that define people and places across India. She says it is coming from a place of curiosity and empathy.
The upcoming series will explore the richness of India's diverse landscapes, communities, traditions, and lived experiences, offering audiences a vibrant, immersive look at culture through a contemporary lens.
With this non-fiction series, Richa aims to inspire audiences to see familiar places with fresh eyes while discovering lesser-known narratives that celebrate India's cultural depth and human spirit. Details regarding the format, collaborators, and platform will be announced in due course.