Richa Chadha’s Bold Choice in Heeramandi: Opting for Depth Over Screen Time

Actress reveals her thought process behind choosing the character of Lajjo in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s OTT debut

Actress Richa Chadha has been earning accolades for her portrayal in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited OTT venture, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. However, what’s caught the attention of many is not just her performance but her deliberate decision to opt for a character with lesser screen time – Lajjo.

In a recent revelation, Chadha shared her reasoning behind choosing Lajjo, despite being offered a part with more prominence. “When I was approached for Heeramandi, at the time Sanjay was the showrunner, and I had been offered another part, the one with more screen time for sure. But because an actor also needs to see what’s in here that’s new for me, I chose Lajjo,” she explained.

Delving into the character dynamics, Chadha drew parallels between Lajjo and iconic figures like Meena Kumari from Pakeezah and a feminine Devdas. She aimed to bring forth the essence of a tragic heroine, a hopeless romantic, which she believed would resonate deeply with the audience. “I have experimented with characters that have a grey shade, like Bholi Punjaban or Tara in Madam Chief Minister. Basically, I get accused of playing only empowered characters, so I felt the need to break that stereotype and surprise the audience. I wanted to play a part of a hopeless romantic and leave the audience with gooseflesh. That’s exactly what’s happening. People are calling me in tears,” Chadha elaborated.

Chadha’s intrigue towards the role of Lajjo was piqued the moment SLB requested her to delve into the character. Her decision to opt for depth over screen time reflects not just her artistic sensibilities but also her willingness to break stereotypes and venture into uncharted territories of character portrayal.