Richa Chadha goes the Meena Kumari way, takes cues from Pakeezah character for her role in Heeramandi – The Diamond Bazaar

After her stellar performance in Fukrey 3, Richa Chadha is all set to enthrall the audience with her stint as Lajjo in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi. So far, in the trailer and songs released, the actress performs her part with utmost elan. But did you know Richa took inspiration from veteran actress Meena Kumari to perform her part in Heeramandi?

Richa Chadha reveals taking cues from Meena Kumari for Heeramandi  

Richa Chadha, who essays the role of Lajjo, a courtesan with a captivating persona, shares that she found inspiration in Meena Kumari’s portrayal of Shahibjaan in the timeless classic “Pakeezah.” Upon Bhansali’s suggestion, Richa immersed herself in studying Kumari’s character, drawing parallels between Sahibjaan and Lajjo.

Richa Chadha as Lajjo in Heeramandi

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“Carefully observing, learning from and taking lessons from Meena Kumari ji’s character in ‘Pakeezah’ was a truly enriching and deeply transforming experience for me ahead of shooting for Heeramandi,” says Richa Chadha. “In the movie, Paakezah, Meena Kumari’s character has a certain tragic depth and complexity that resonated with Lajjo, the character that I play in the show. I worked on the voice and diction, while studying Meena Ji’s work, to the point of imitation sometimes. I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of a cinematic legend, and it was an honor to pay tribute to Meena Kumari ji through my portrayal of Lajjo”, said Richa in a statement.

A source from the production describes Richa’s dedication to her craft, stating, “Richa has brought an unparalleled passion and understanding to her role in ‘Heeramandi.’ Her commitment to immersing herself in the nuances of her character is truly commendable. Drawing inspiration from Meena Kumari’s iconic performance has added layers of authenticity to Lajjo’s character.”

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“Heeramandi – The Diamond Bazaar” promises to be a riveting exploration of love, power, and resilience set against the backdrop of a bustling courtesan quarter. Apart from Richa, the series star Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh.

Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi’ of extraordinary women narrate story of love, power, freedom; trailer out!