HINDUSTAN TIMES (March 7, 2020)

Richa Chadha has always strived to push barriers, be it playing strong female characters, taking the leap to OTT at a time when it was untested territory, or backing causes that matter. Now, the actor has been appointed as an advisory member for Women in Film & Television (WIFT) India chapter, which champions the need for a women writers’ lab in India among other things.

WIFT India, which is affiliated to the Global WIFT Org based in DC, has over 50 chapters worldwide. It aims to provide a strong support platform for women in the film and television industry, and Chadha has taken it upon herself to dedicate her time and experience in the profession to it.

“I am someone who has come to this industry without a godfather and it hasn’t been easy. The industry is now a more organised workspace and is much safer to work in than before, but there’s a lot to be done,” shares Chadha.

The actor says she also wants to dispel the myth that showbiz is not a good place for women and aims to help more women join the workforce in Bollywood.

“Everyone in my extended family was apprehensive when I joined the film industry. But 10 years on, I have worked on some path-breaking projects, with talented artistes, and I am proud of my filmography and struggle. Now, movie sets are filled with women and it’s important to create this gender-neutral environment if we want to tell balanced stories and even progress as a society,” the 33-year-old adds.

The international month to celebrate women will kick off with the launch of the women writers’ lab, a property which is being launched in the country. In New York, the writers’ lab is supported by actors such as Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. Indian-origin filmmaker Deepa Mehta has been associated with WIFT (Toronto).