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Richa Chadha opens up on her character of a sex worker in audio show ‘Baby Doll’

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Bollywood actress Richa Chadha shares her experience of working in the audio show, ‘Baby Doll’ opposite Jaideep Ahlawat. The story revolves around a sex worker, Baby (Richa), her pain and revenge.

Richa says: “I play a character called Baby whose actual name is Babita Rani, and she is somebody who probably got trafficked when she was a child, and has been in this sort of trade against her will. She’s a commercial sex worker so she’s been in this trade for a while and she’s not happy.

“But she learned to live with her reality. And there’s still an assemblance of like, niceness and morality in her, even though she’s in one of the most looked down upon professions and as a character also.”

While talking about the USP of this audio show, the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ actress shares: “I think the USP of the show will definitely be the story and the characters. The directors work very hard on creating this show. And I think that it’s got a cliffhanger approach across the whole 14-15 episodes.

“Even in the end it is kind of like, it ends on a note where you wonder whether there’ll be a season two or if this is the end of this character, and it’s kind of like the story of the underdog.”

On sharing about the challenges of narration and preparation for it, she says: “We did a lot of readings Ato get the character right because you know, this is how I normally talk and sound but when we have to do this like a hinterland Hindi character then it has to be real. She has to have a little crassness or little bit of course language also, she’s a sex worker. We have used words which typically you will not hear on camera or on radio. We’ve said words, and we’ve done things which typically you don’t get to see in a podcast or even on camera.”

You’ve played different roles. How you found this different from previous ones, she adds: “I’ve played a sex worker before, never for a podcast. It is very different in terms of this character’s throwing caution to the wind kind of attitude is what makes her a winner in my book. And that’s what will make the show on Audible also something that you can relate to you where you will feel funny, like after a few episodes that you are rooting for this character, even though you know, she doesn’t really fit the moral compass of most of the audience.”

The actress calls her overall experience of working in the podcast fulfilling, as she comments: “My experience of working on this was really quite incredible. We had good producers, both from Audible and the people who are handling it on their behalf from sound and vision. This is an original story. It’s really about, like the hinterland, and I really hope that people can, like enjoy it for what it is. It’s one of those pulpy novels, but now narrated through the voice of the female lead. And I think that’s what makes it really interesting.”

Richa, after debuting in a small role in the comedy film ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’, got a breakthrough with a supporting role in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’.

How she looks at her journey in the entertainment industry, the actress replies: “I feel like I’m just like, at the first quarter of my journey, to be honest. I’ve seen everything change so rapidly in the last 10 years since I’ve been active. And I think that it’s only going to get better. For true artists to actors, it’s a good time. And now that I’m entering into production and writing, it’s a very fulfilling phase because you can use more than just your face and your body, you know, you can see things in the world with the work you put out.”

About her upcoming projects, she reveals: “There’s ‘Fukrey 3’, which is a hugely successful franchise, which is what we’re currently shooting for. There are basically three films. I wish I could announce them right now but I can’t. I mean, I’m shooting one in July one after that, there’s one film on mental health and then there’s a crossover film in the UK. These are the confirmed projects. There’s of course S2 ‘A Great Indian Murder’ and things like that. So it’s going to be a full full full year.”

Like many celebs, she is keen on doing reality shows, the actress says: “What kind of reality show if it’s a reality show where you know like these two people go on highways and eat local street food Yeah, I’m game for that. But the reality show consists of me being in like captivity, like a house with other people and forcibly fighting with them or being locked up somewhere, that never, ever, ever!”

Written by Pravesh Bhardwaj, the audio show ‘Baby Doll’ is available on Audible.

Entertainment

‘I Won’t Blame Anyone’: Ajay Devgn Reacts To Controversy Over Pakistani Actress Hania Aamir’s Casting In Sardaar Ji 3

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Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, who is gearing up for the release of Son of Sardaar 2, reacted to trolls criticising actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his recently-released film Sardaar Ji 3.

On Friday (July 11), during the trailer launch event of Son of Sardaar 2, Ajay was asked about the backlash Diljit has been receiving in India ever since he shared the trailer of the film featuring Hania. While the film did not release in India, the actor faced backlash and a section of social media users also called him ‘anti-national’, ‘insensitive’ and ‘shameless’.

Reacting to it, Ajay said it wouldn’t be right on his part to take a side in the matter since he is not in Dosanjh’s shoes.

“I don’t know where the trolling is coming from, what’s right, what’s wrong. He must be dealing with his own problems. Others are speaking from their own point of view. So when there are two different perspectives, they can be resolved by sitting down and talking,” the actor reportedly said.

He added, “He’s thinking from his side, you’re thinking from yours. It doesn’t work that way. I won’t blame anyone. I won’t say that anyone is right or wrong in this.”

The trolling began after Diljit promoted his Punjabi film with Hania amid India-Pakistan tensions. FWICE had lashed out Diljit for collaborating with Hania despite a renewed ban on Pakistani celebs in India following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Earlier, it was reported that Diljit had been removed from his upcoming Bollywood film Border 2, and that Punjabi actor Ammy Virk might replace him in the sequel. However, Ammy’s team denied the rumours and clarified to Hindustan Times that there was no truth to the reports.

Also, a few days back, FWICE revealed that they lifted ban on Diljit after which he has been allowed to shoot for Border 2. Reportedly, the film body claimed that the patriotic film’s producer, Bhushan Kumar, pleaded them personally to let Diljit work.

Meanwhile, Sardaar Ji 3 released overseas on June 27 and it has become the highest-grossing Punjabi film of 2025.

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Sharad Kelkar on language conflict: All Indian languages are beautiful, I’m Indian, first and foremost

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Mumbai, July 5: Actor Sharad Kelkar, who is known for his work in television, and has voiced the iconic character of Baahubali for its Hindi version, has shared his opinion on the growing language conflicts between different states of India.

The actor recently spoke with IANS, and shared that though he prefers to stay away from politics, he surely respects all “beautiful” Indian languages that are spoken throughout the country.

He told IANS, “Honestly, I don’t want to get into political matters. I have no interest in it. Ask me about acting, and I’ll talk. Ask me why I haven’t done a Marathi film, and I’ll answer. But this isn’t about personal will or preference. I believe all Indian languages are beautiful. I’m Indian, first and foremost”.

The actor was also asked if he is the highest paid actor on his upcoming show, to which he responded by saying, “I’ve been working for over two decades. I’ve earned my place, and yes, I charge for it. What’s wrong with that? If someone is earning well, people should be happy—not jealous. It’s a sign of achievement. If an actor returns to television, it’s because they have value. No one’s calling you back just for nostalgia—you have to bring something to the table”.

He also shared about why in the current era of television, shows don’t run for years and actors don’t become household names.

He said, “The audience landscape has changed. OTT has brought in new content and platforms. Earlier, shows used to run for years and characters would live in people’s hearts. Now, shows are shorter, and people move on quickly. Many actors believe they aren’t getting recognition, but I think it’s the characters that become famous, not the actors themselves. I’ve been known as Nahar Singh, Barry B., Thakur, and Dr. Ashutosh—all character names”.

“If you keep reinventing yourself and present a new version every time, people might eventually remember your real name”, he added.

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Bollywood

Subhash Ghai shares how Aamir Khan brought dignity to Hindi cinema with his film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’

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Mumbai, July 4: Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai took to social media to shower praise on Aamir Khan for his continued efforts to elevate the stature of Hindi cinema.

Lauding his decision to release ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ in theatres and hold off on its OTT release for six months, Ghai called it a move that brings “dignity to Hindi cinema.” In his heartfelt note, the director expressed his happiness at how exhibitors across the country honoured Aamir as a “brave filmmaker” for supporting the big-screen experience and showing deep respect for theatrical business.

Sharing a photo featuring Aamir Khan, Subhash Ghai wrote on Instagram, “Dear Aamir. You have done it again to bring dignity to Hindi cinema with your heartwarming film in cinema halls n pledging not to show it on small screen for six months. M glad that all India exhibitors honoured you as a brave film maker yesterday for respecting the business of big screens theatres too. Congratulations n blessings. @muktaa2cinemas @pvrcinemas_official @inoxmovies @cinepolismx @zeecinema @muktaartsltd.”

The makers of the Aamir Khan starrer have decided not to release the film on OTT platforms. The Multiplex Association of India had applauded the move, and Aamir Khan Productions later expressed their gratitude for the support. Sharing MAI’s statement on their official Instagram account, the production house wrote in the caption, “Grateful for the overwhelming love and support MAI (red heart emoji).”

In the statement, Kamal Gianchandani, who served as the President of MAI, had said, “Aamir Khan has always been a filmmaker who puts the audience first. His decision to bring Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively to cinemas is a significant show of confidence in theatres and the shared magic of the moviegoing experience. Indian exhibitors thank Aamir Khan for standing by theatres. As we continue to welcome audiences with renewed energy and world-class films, Sitaare Zammen Par will remain a shining example of cinema’s resilience and its irreplaceable magic.”

“Sitaare Zameen Par,” which also stars Genelia D’Souza, was a sequel to the 2007 hit film “Taare Zameen Par.” Directed by RS Prasanna, the sports drama hit theatres on June 20.

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