Bold, fierce, parting thoughts of Richa Chadha will force you to think how she is being unnecessarily targeted

Richa Chadda is currently gearing up for her upcoming film, Madam Chief Minister that releases today. Ahead of the film's release, since past few days the actress has been receiving death threats.

She was recently informed of a certain gentleman inciting violent threats against her since the release of the trailer of Madam Chief Minister. Nawab Satpal Tanwar, who is reportedly founder of Akhil Bhartiya Bhim Sena has been continuously making and uploading videos on social media platforms to instigate hate and violence towards the actress and her film.

Not just that, the said politician even openly issued death threats and has now said that he wants to chop her tongue off and is offering a reward to someone who can do so.

Ridiculous as is, the act of openly on public platforms claiming to harm anyone’s life is condemnable and goes onto show the agenda with which these threats are being issued. Soon after the news went viral, the Bhim Army, a Dalit party with national presence has condemned this threat and said that they are not to be confused with Tomar's Bhim Sena.

Richa too later shared that she is not scared of anyone and any such threats.

Now, with the film releasing worldwide today, the actress has penned down her parting thoughts and shared it on her social media.

Her statement reads:

"The film releases across the country and abroad today. Still reading some very angry tweets,threads about myself, (not the film yet, no one has seen it). Some people are just venting. And that’s ok. 

I am listening, learning... as I have been attempting to, for the past 2-3 years...

Here, some thoughts on the representation debate, from my limited, self-admittedly privileged understanding.

The anger is completely understandable, especially with the poster et al. I get it. I understand this anger. But as is often the case with anger, it is in fact misdirected since I am not the sole creator of this film. Hundreds if not thousands of people have worked on it.

I can’t undo historical caste injustices, or brutalization dating back thousands of years. 

Don’t expect me to become a scholar or expert on the subject, by acting in one film, especially when it is as vast and complicated as caste and varna. 

I don’t even contest the fact that my performance will never ever be able to replicate the lived experience of a DBA actor. I am aware of that and it only made me work harder.

As someone who is an artist, who considers herself an ally, I choose to do whatever little I can, in my capacity as an individual. I have attempted to play this part with dignity, honesty and empathy. As that was frankly the only thing in my control. 

(*and this empathy isn’t charity or patronisation. Am also not confusing trolls/death-threat givers/fake-news spreaders for genuine voices)."