French honour for Richa Chadha

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; October 27, 2023)

In a momentous event set to take place on the 28th of October in Mumbai, actress Richa Chadha will be honored by the French government and the Counsel General of France to India.

At this special occasion, Richa will be conferred with the prestigious 'Chevalier Des Arts et des Lettres,' one of the highest orders given by the French government to artists in the realms of cinema, arts, and fashion worldwide. This honor places her in the esteemed company of Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oscar winner Guneet Monga recognizing her contribution to the cinema.

The ceremony, scheduled during the upcoming MAMI film festival, promises to be a celebration of Richa Chadha's remarkable journey, highlighting her significant impact on the global stage.

Reacting to the honour, Richa said, “It is truly an overwhelming and humbling moment for me to be recognized by the French government and the Counsel General of France to India with the prestigious 'Chevalier Des Arts et des Lettres' award. To stand in the esteemed company of legends such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact cinema can have on bridging cultures and societies. My journey in the film industry has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, filled with challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons. Receiving this honor is not just a personal achievement; it is a recognition of the collective efforts of everyone who believed in my vision, from my family and friends to my mentors and collaborators. This accolade reaffirms my belief that storytelling knows no boundaries, and it is my responsibility as an artist to contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue. Thank you to the French government and the Counsel General of France to India for this honor, which only motivates me to strive for excellence and make a positive impact on the world through my work.”

Hailing from a modest family of educators, Richa Chadha has carved her unique niche in the entertainment industry on her own terms, consistently defying norms and expectations. She has collaborated with esteemed filmmakers such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Neeraj Ghaywan, Mira Nair, Dibakar Bannerjee and Anurag Kashyap in her decade long career. Richa's filmography boasts internationally acclaimed films, including the Indo-French production 'Masaan,' which clinched two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. As a producer, her first film 'Girls Will Be girls' is an Indo-French Co-production under the official co-production treaty between the two countries.
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The French government will confer Richa Chadha with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. She joins SRK, Aishwarya who were previously felicitated
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 27, 2023)

Weeks after she enjoyed a hit in Fukrey 3, comes another milestone for Richa Chadha. The actor will be conferred with the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest orders given by the French government to achievers in the realms of cinema, arts, and literature. With this honour, she joins the ranks of Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oscar winner Guneet Monga, who have previously been recognised for their contribution to Hindi cinema.

The ceremony, which will take place tomorrow at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, promises to be a celebration of Chadha’s Bollywood journey. In the past 15 years, the actor has collaborated with esteemed filmmakers such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Anurag Kashyap, Neeraj Ghaywan and Dibakar Banerjee, with films like Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012) and Masaan (2015) going to the Cannes Film Festival.

Chadha’s influence extends beyond the silver screen as she advocates for women’s rights and gender equality. Her activism goes hand-in-hand with her actions—the newly-turned producer recently established The Undercurrent Lab, which trains women to be gaffers in the film industry.

Reacting to the honour, Chadha says, “It is an overwhelming and humbling moment for me to be recognised by the French government and the Counsel General of France to India. To stand in the company of legends such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a testament to the power of storytelling, and the impact cinema can have on bridging cultures and societies. This accolade reaffirms my belief that storytelling knows no boundaries, and it’s my responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue.”