Also Read: Richa Chadha on playing a woman character finding her way in a man’s world

Set against the backdrop of a cricket league, Inside Edge’s latest 10-part season shows Vivek Oberoi, Aamir Bashir, Sayani Gupta and Tanuj Virwani’s characters stoop lower in their quest for power and money. To Chadha, however, it was heartening to see her character Zarina Malik’s evolving graph. “She is calculating the damage that has been done to her emotionally, and will be vengeful about it. She became greedy in the second season, but she will not allow that to happen again. She is ensuring that she emerges victorious, while becoming the person she originally was — clean-hearted.”

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Through her character, the series depicts how difficult it is for a woman to navigate her way in a man’s world. The truth is reflected in the male-dominated film industry as well. The actor doesn’t mince words as she argues that women in power will probably make the world a better place. “The world is dominated by men. Look at our cabinet and the different political parties. I feel if more women are in leadership roles, the world will be better. It will make the world more compassionate because women have the beautiful quality of patience. Even today, the countries, where women are in power, fared much better in handling the COVID [crisis]. I hope we have more women in leadership roles everywhere, from politics to writing to [film] production.”

It has been a satisfying 13 years for Chadha, who started out in the industry with Oye Lucky Lucky Oye! (2008), following it up with praiseworthy acts in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Fukrey (2013) and Masaan (2015). Asked what it takes to survive in this industry, she says, “There are only two options — the stuff that you won’t do, or the stuff you are comfortable with. I want to sleep peacefully at night. I don’t want any guilt or moral dilemmas. So, that makes my choices easy, and I prefer this [path] to anything else.”

Also read: Tanuj Virwani: It was the most gruelling season of Inside Edge