Heeramandi: Richa Chadha reveals she was offered another role but she preferred to play Lajjo, says, 'wanted to play a hopeless romantic woman'

Richa praised Bhansali for his profound impact on her artistic growth, noting, "That’s the beauty of working with a man love-soaked in cinema, and to be honest I only want to work with directors that know way, way more than me. It helps me grow as an artist and that’s what has happened here."

Richa Chadha, a celebrated actress known for her compelling portrayals, recently shared insights into her role in the upcoming Netflix series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.' Directed by the renowned Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this series marks his debut on the streaming platform. Richa chose to play a character named Lajjo, a role she described as "self-destructive, lonely, lovelorn hopeless romantic."

Initially, Richa was offered a different part in the series, but she was captivated by the complexity and depth of Lajjo. She explained her decision on Instagram, saying, "I was offered another part, but this is what I wanted to do, because it’s like dessert. You know you want more, but you can’t have it because it’s unhealthy! I wanted to play the अबला नारी, a woman with no agency, a self-destructive, lonely, lovelorn hopeless romantic."

Richa's aim with this character was to surprise the audience and evoke a strong emotional response. She asked her fans, "You tell me if I have been successful at that?" indicating her intention to deeply move viewers with her performance.

The actress also shared moments from the look test for 'Heeramandi,' done under Bhansali's supervision. He wanted every shot to capture the pain and pathos of the characters. During the look test, Richa chose to play "YE KAISI AJAB DASTAN HO GAYI HAI" from the 1963 film Ruston Sohrab to help her get into the mood of her character, a choice that Bhansali found surprisingly fitting.

Richa praised Bhansali for his profound impact on her artistic growth, noting, "That’s the beauty of working with a man love-soaked in cinema, and to be honest I only want to work with directors that know way, way more than me. It helps me grow as an artist and that’s what has happened here." This collaboration allowed her to explore and embody the nuances of a complex character like Lajjo.

'Heeramandi' is set against the backdrop of Lahore's oldest red-light district and follows the lives of courtesans in British-ruled India. The series explores themes of love, passion, freedom, and betrayal, showcasing how these women navigate their existence amidst anti-colonial movements.

Fans have already expressed their admiration for Richa's portrayal, flooding social media with praise and anticipation. As 'Heeramandi' prepares to make its debut on Netflix, viewers are eagerly waiting to see how Richa's performance as Lajjo will unfold on the screen.