Richa Chadha was born on December 18, 1986, in Amritsar, Punjab, India. She holds Indian nationality and comes from a multicultural family with a Punjabi Sikh father and a Bihari Hindu mother. She is fluent in Hindi, English, Punjabi, and has knowledge of Urdu. Her father owned a management firm, while her mother is a professor of political science and an author. Richa completed her schooling at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in New Delhi before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. Before entering films, she worked as a writer for Elle India magazine and trained in theatre, developing a strong foundation in performance arts. Her Instagram account, @therichachadha, has over 2.4M+ followers, where she shares updates about her films, production projects, advocacy work, travel, fashion, and personal life.
Richa Chadha made her acting debut with a supporting role in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), directed by Dibakar Banerjee. Her career reached a turning point with Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), where her portrayal of Nagma Khatoon earned widespread praise and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. She followed this success with memorable performances in Fukrey, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Masaan, Main Aur Charles, Sarbjit, Cabaret, Love Sonia, Section 375, Panga, Madam Chief Minister, Fukrey Returns, and Fukrey 3. Richa has consistently chosen diverse roles that highlight social realities and complex female characters, making her one of Bollywood’s most respected performers. Beyond films, she played Zarina Malik in the acclaimed Amazon Prime Video series Inside Edge, further showcasing her versatility in digital entertainment. Together with her husband, actor Ali Fazal, she co-founded the production company Pushing Buttons Studios, producing films and supporting independent storytelling. She has also appeared in international projects and remains active as a producer, entrepreneur, and public speaker. Her contributions to cinema have earned numerous awards and nominations, while her fearless choice of roles continues to distinguish her career.
Outside of acting, Richa Chadha is actively involved in social causes, environmental sustainability, women’s rights, and animal welfare. She has worked with organizations including PETA and has consistently advocated for vegetarianism, gender equality, and responsible environmental practices. Richa married actor Ali Fazal in 2022 after several years of being together, and the couple welcomed their daughter in 2024. They are known for supporting independent cinema and humanitarian initiatives while maintaining a relatively private family life. Richa enjoys travelling, reading, literature, photography, and engaging in meaningful public conversations on social and political issues. Her life reflects a balance of artistic excellence, activism, and personal authenticity, making her one of India’s most respected voices in entertainment.