Quotes from Richa Chadha

To be pursuing any profession isn't easy because it is still primarily a man's world. It affects how you get paid and your hours of work, among other things.

When I was younger I would be taken for a ride alot, I would believe anybody at face value, I was quite a lallu actually everybody would fool me, exploit me for my work and talent and I would cry about it later.

I am an artiste in a free world, I am supposed to raise questions.

When I came to the industry, one PR person told me, 'Send a text message to this actor. Go on a date with him.' And I said, 'But he is married!' Then this person said, 'Why didn't you send a message to this cricketer? It would have been good for your career, for your PR and public image.'

I have always believed that more stories of women in leadership roles need to be told and I am glad I could be a part of one such story.

It has never been my ambition to become the glam doll in a film.

I am sexy and I like playing glamorous roles.

I want to do good films. It is not that I have any problem doing commercial roles, with all the glitter. I am doing 'Cabaret.' It is very glamourous.

There is always enough room for good actors.

You can't be a good actor if you are not a good person.

I definitely am open to South Indian films. There is a lot of good work coming from these states and I would like to be a part in some of them.

India is one of those few countries in the world where violence against women starts in the womb, before the girl is even born.

There is an amazing feminist writer called Lindy West; she wrote a very nice piece for The New York Times. She wrote about Woody Allen, saying if we can't go after your work or your career, we will go after your legacy. You will never be remembered the same way. I think a lot of women will have to take solace in that.

Good work has a snowball effect, it keeps leading to more good work.

The only place I want to be recognised is the red carpet or an actor, where I am in my professional capacity. Otherwise I just want to be left alone.

If I feel sad, I let myself be that. Why should I keep hiding it, lying about it and saying, 'I'll be positive.'

I got some advertisement work and I also did 12 to 15 workshops to enhance my acting skills because there is no alternative to talent; if you don't have talent, then you don't stand a chance.

Because Bollywood reflects society, we are all living in a society. We are not a special entity. So whatever prejudices society has for us, we carry into the films.

I am always nervous before the release of any film.

I am a certified hippie and I love nature.

Acting is probably the only profession where you are relying only on empathy.

I hate it when people look at marriage, especially when it comes to girls as 'settling down.' First of all 'settle' sounds like a compromise and 'down' makes it worse. It reminds me of teachers who ask their students to 'settle down' once they enter the classroom.

I love making miniatures, painting, writing, music and dance. These are the things I'm naturally good at. I'd like to think of myself as a renaissance woman.

I want to do interesting work, I don't want to get boxed. A box is fruitful for a little while and then you get replaced.