As Madam Prime Minister released in theatres, Richa Chadha shared her ‘parting thoughts’ on the controversy surrounding the film. The first poster had shown her holding a broom in her hand. It had faced backlash for allegedly stereotyping the Dalit community. People had also taken offence to the word ‘untouchable’ in the poster.
In a statement she shared on Twitter, Chadha wrote, “The film releases across the country and abroad today. Still reading some very angry tweets, threads about myself, (not the film yet, no one has seen it). Some people are just venting. And that's ok”.
She said that she is listening and learning as she has done for the past 2-3 years and presented her thoughts on the representation debate.
“The anger is completely understandable, especially with the poster et al. I get it. I understand this anger. But as is often the case with anger, it is in fact misdirected since I am not the sole creator of this film. Hundreds if not thousands of people have worked on it,” she added.
The actor said that she can’t undo the “historical caste injustices” and “brutalization” which date back to thousand years. “Please don't expect me to become a scholar or expert on the subject, by acting in one film, especially when it is as vast and complicated as caste and varna”.
She further went on saying, “I don't even contest the fact that my performance will never ever be able to replicate the lived experience of a DBA actor. I am aware of that and it only made me work harder”.
“As someone who is an artist, who considers herself an ally, I choose to do whatever little I can, in my capacity as an individual. I have attempted to play this part with dignity, honesty and empathy. As that was frankly the only thing in my control,” she added.
Chadha said that her thoughts come from “empathy” and not from “charity or patronisation”. To end with, she said that she is also not mistaking “trolls/death-threat givers/fake-news spreaders for genuine voices”.
Chadha's Interview With SheThePeople
In one of her interviews with SheThePeople, Chadha has revealed that she is not okay with picking between the real telling of the story or watching it go into really undeserving hands. She wants the story to be told and is okay with people hating her for it as she is not profiteering off the caste system.
Roshmila Bhattarchaya Speaks About Richa Chadha’s Role
In her interview with SheThePeople, author Roshmila Bhattarchaya said, “You needn't be from a particular strata of society to understand the pain they are going through”. She commented this on Richa Chadha’s role and added, “Everyone cannot be an actor”.
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