Richa Chadha To Create New Non-Fiction Culture Series 

Actor Richa Chadha expands into non-fiction, focusing on India’s rich travel and cultural heritage.

Richa Chadha Trades Character

Is it possible for a performer known for “becoming” someone else to finally show us who we are?

Richa Chadha has spent her career disappearing into fierce, gritty, and often eccentric characters. But her latest venture suggests she is done playing pretend—at least for a moment.

The actor-producer is stepping into the non-fiction arena with a series that aims to map the cultural soul of Bharat. This isn’t just a career pivot; it’s an ambitious attempt to capture the “lived realities” of a country that is often reduced to travel brochures and colorful clichés.

The Evolution of a Creator 

This move into non-fiction is a natural progression for Chadha, who has spent the last few years quietly building a powerhouse production brand.

Her debut production, Girls Will Be Girls, wasn’t just a film; it was a statement. It swept international festivals, proving that Richa has a sharp eye for narratives that are personal, grounded, and contemporary.

With this new series, she is taking that same lens and applying it to the real world. “I’ve always believed that stories exist everywhere,” Richa noted. “With this series, I want to explore that world with curiosity and compassion.”

The project focuses on communities and traditions, using travel as a vehicle to reach the people who actually shape the heritage of their regions.

The KINDRY Blueprint 

While this might seem like a sudden leap, the groundwork was laid during the dark days of the second COVID wave. Richa launched KINDRY, a digital initiative aimed at highlighting acts of kindness and human connection.

It was her “test run” in the world of real-world storytelling. That experience taught her that Indian audiences have a deep, underserved hunger for content that touches the heart without relying on the artificial drama of reality TV.

The Anti-Spectacle Movement 

What makes this project unique is its refusal to lean into “spectacle.” In a digital landscape saturated with travel vloggers competing for the most “Instagrammable” shot, Chadha is opting for depth.

• Narrative over Visuals: The show focuses on how culture shapes lives, not just how pretty a temple looks at sunset.
• The Observational Lens: By stepping back as a “creator” rather than just a “host,” Richa allows the subjects to dictate the rhythm of the story.
• Global Connectivity: Much like her previous production work, this series is designed to resonate with the Indian diaspora, offering a “tether” back to their roots through authentic representation.

Counter-Intuitive Takeaways:

• Boring is Beautiful: In non-fiction, the “mundane” moments—a grandmother cooking or a craftsman at work—often hold more cultural weight than a planned festival.
• Experimental is Essential: Richa’s belief that an artist must “keep challenging yourself” is why she is moving away from the safe harbor of scripted acting into the unpredictable world of field documentary.
• The Social Theme Advantage: By focusing on social themes within culture, the show avoids being a “tourist guide” and becomes a sociological study.

Key Highlights of the Project:

• Format: Non-fiction travel and culture series.
• Focus: Indigenous communities, local traditions, and untold regional histories.
• Inspiration: Based on the success of Girls Will Be Girls and the KINDRY initiative.
• Philosophy: Rooted in curiosity, compassion, and human connection.