Actor-couple Richa Chadha (38) and Ali Fazal (38) were in the Capital recently, their first time away from their six-month-old daughter, Zuneyra Ida Ali, who stayed in Mumbai with her grandparents.

While they originally wanted to bring her with them, “the weather and pollution” in the city made them decide otherwise. “As a Delhite, it breaks my heart,” says Chadha, adding, “When I was studying here, the AQI was not even an issue. It was so green and the route to my school in Lodhi Road was beautiful. Delhiites have to take concrete steps.”

Though Zuneyra didn’t accompany them, Chadha and Fazal can’t help but gush over their new daughter. “It’s a whole new universe in our lives. Obviously, the way we see and perceive cinema and storytelling has shifted a little. I don’t know how much, but it definitely has,” Fazal shares.

Things are “nice and peaceful” at home, and Chadha iterates the age-old adage: “It’s pretty accurate when people say it takes a village to raise a child... We have a great nanny and a great support system. Ali’s father and my mother are both there to support us. We are lucky.”

And while the domestic front remains peaceful and free from chaos, when stepping out, the couple has requested paparazzi to maintain a distance and not click pictures of Zuneyra. Ask whether this policy will change anytime soon, and Chadha quickly pipes, “Soon toh pata nahin but I would never want her to be clicked.”

Fazal adds, “At least until she is capable of making those choices for herself. We don’t know how she will feel when she grows up. Kya pata humein hi gaaliyan padengi (laughs)!”

The duo deem themselves to be very hands-on parents and Chadha amends, “But in our own ways.”

She elaborates, “I am surprised at how equal (parenthood) has turned out for us. It allows me a great deal of relief. When I started feeding her initially, I had this feeling, ‘Main iss kamre se bhi baahar niklungi ya nahin?’ But Ali has been a wonderful, steady, equal partner. Whether it is the burping, or just reading to her, he’s been fantastic.”

Fazal, with enthusiasm, chimes in, “Game on man!”