Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi was released on May 1 and has been earning rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Richa Chadha, who delivered an impactful performance as Lajjo in the series, has also been receiving glorious compliments. But did you know she was offered another role in the show but, however, chose to essay Lajjo? The actress recently opened up about the same.
Richa knew that Lajjo had the most heartbreaking arc, and the resemblance to Meena Kumari from Pakeezah and a female version of Devdas would definitely leave an impact. She shared, “When I was approached for ‘Heeramandi,’ at the time Sanjay sir was the showrunner, and I had been offered another part, one with more screentime for sure. But because an actor also needs to see what’s in here that’s new for me, I chose Lajjo.”
She added, “I have experimented with characters that have a grey shade, like Bholi Punjaban or Tara in Madam Chief Minister. Basically, I get accused of playing only empowered characters, so i felt the need to break that stereotype and surprise the audience. I wanted to play a part of a hopeless romantic and leave the audience with goosebumps. That’s exactly what’s happening. People are calling me in tears.”
She further revealed, “Hence, when sir told me, come and check this character out, I was immediately drawn to Lajjo. I was certain this would pay off, and it has. The love within 24 hours has been overwhelming. Right from industry peers to filmmakers to friends and audiences have sent me such amazing love, I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Richa’s portrayal of Lajjo in Heeramandi” showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft, earning praise for her nuanced performance that resonates deeply with viewers. Additionally, the character’s Kathak dance sequence in the show holds special significance for Richa, who is a trained Kathak dancer herself.
“I’ve always harboured a desire to incorporate Kathak dance into my onscreen roles, and ‘Heeramandi’ provided the perfect opportunity to do so. As a trained Kathak dancer, bringing Lajjo’s dance number to life was a fulfilling experience for me, adding another layer of authenticity to the character,” she added.
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali series also stars Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Shaikh in the lead roles.
